About The Role
Postdoctoral Research Associate
This EPSRC funded full time post is available from 1 April 2027 until 31 December 2029.
Starting salary will be from £35,302 on grade E, depending on knowledge, skills and experience.
The Role
The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to participate in an EPSRC funded research project led by Professor Mohamed Saidi, the project investigates the anabelian geometry of algebraic curves and algebraic function fields in positive characteristics. The successful applicant will contribute to the establishment of new results on the anabelian geometry of hyperbolic curves over the algebraic closure of a finite field, and over algebraically closed fields of positive characteristic. The main duty of the successful applicant is to work in collaboration with Professor Mohamed Saidi to establish new results for hyperbolic algebraic curves which generalise results previously established by Akio Tamagawa in the case of hyperbolic affine genus zero curves over the algebraic closure of a finite field.
About You
The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.
Applicants will possess a relevant PhD (or nearing completion) or equivalent qualification/experience in a research area related to number theory and arithmetic algebraic geometry with a good expertise in arithmetic fundamental groups. The successful applicant will have a recognised research contribution in a research topic related to number theory and arithmetic algebraic geometry and possess sufficient knowledge in the theory of arithmetic fundamental groups to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required. Applicants will be able to develop new techniques and establish new results in the theory of arithmetic fundamental groups and anabelian geometry.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.
Further information
Please contact Professor Mohamed Saidi, m.saidi@exeter.ac.uk
About Us
Transform Your Career and Help Shape a Greener, Healthier, and Fairer Future
Join the University of Exeter, a top 200 Russell Group university (QS & THE World University Rankings 2025), excelling in teaching (triple Gold rating, TEF 2023) and leading groundbreaking research in the beautiful southwest of England.
We are committed to understanding different cultures and perspectives, supporting diverse leadership, and striving for social justice. We encourage applications from all groups underrepresented in our community, including racially minoritised individuals and those with disabilities. Our inclusive, merit based recruitment processes seek to embrace a diverse set of experiences to ensure colleagues feel supported equitably. With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 140 countries, we foster a culture where everyone can thrive.
You can read more about our current accreditations and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here, including our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
What we can offer you:
- Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines;
- Support teams that understand the University wide teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly;
- An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development;
- Our Exeter Academic initiative supports high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career;
- A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy;
- A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon/Cornwall.
How we can help
If you are considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch with us at hrhelpdesk@exeter.ac.uk. You can request reasonable adjustments within your application or by contacting us. You can also choose to be considered under our Disability Confident Scheme and find out here how this is managed during our recruitment and onboarding process.

