Research Fellow (111100-1225)

About The Role

For informal enquiries, please contact Marie Holt, Assistant Professor at Marie.Holt@warwick.ac.uk

Fixed Term Contract and Full Time | 36.5 hours per week

Funding for up to 60 months. The duration may need to be shortened up to a max 57 months depending on the starting salary of the successful candidate

Expected start date 1st June 2026

Project Title: Dissecting stress pathways to treat obesity

Funder: MRC

The Stress Neurobiology Group led by Dr Marie at the University of Warwick, UK, is seeking for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate with a strong background in Preclinical Behavioural Neuroscience. The overall aim of this MRC-funded project is to improve our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying changes in appetite in response to stress. We hope to leverage that knowledge to develop new therapies to treat obesity.

This role provides a unique opportunity to combine state-of-the-art in vivo approaches, whole-brain imaging, and single-cell transcriptomic analysis in mouse models to address clinically compelling questions. Our group is based in the Neuroscience Research Cluster in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Warwick. The lab is located in the Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building (IBRB), a new £54m state-of-the-art research facility that combines cutting edge research infrastructure with award-winning architecture. We collaborate extensively with labs across the world and you will receive training in state-of-the-art systems neuroscience approaches from leaders in the field. We and the wider University of Warwick environment offer substantial opportunities for professional development including regular opportunities to attend international conferences.

About You

We are looking for a future colleague with expertise in preclinical behavioural neuroscience. Applicants should be proficient in rodent surgery and rodent behavioural testing and should be able to provide evidence for having contributed to a warm, inclusive and productive work environment. For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

PhD Status

If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum). Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).

About The Department

School of Life Sciences

For further information about the School of Life Sciences please see our website at http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci

We believe that collegiality, openness, inclusivity and diversity are essential for an excellent research and teaching environment. Our workplace ethic has enabled us to gain the Athena SWAN Silver award. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from all groups with protected characteristics traditionally under-represented in STEM fields.

About The University

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 106th in the world and 8th in the UK. Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.

World University Ranking 2024, Guardian University Guide 2025 Research Excellence Framework 2021

How to Apply

CLOSING DEADLINE: Tuesday 20th January 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)

To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. Applications should include a CV (no more than 2 pages) and a covering letter.

Your CV Should Include

• Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
• Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).

Your Cover Letter Should Explain

Within you cover letter you should demonstrate how you meet the requirements of this role by specific reference to each of the essential, and where applicable, desirable criteria detailed in the person specification. Please do not provide a continuous narrative statement in your cover letter. Instead, provide 3-4 bullet points with evidence of how you fulfil (or partially fulfil) each criterion. All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview. You are welcome to include details of any career breaks (e.g. parental leave, caring responsibilities, sick leave).

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Start Date: Monday 1st June 2026

Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.

What we Offer

We Provide a Comprehensive Range Of Benefits, Including

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick. Find out more about our awards and accreditations.

We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with. Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice. The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults). All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction. Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.

Job Description JD Research Fellow (111100).pdf – 222KB Opens in a new window

Right to Work in the UK

If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.