Job Summary Table of Postdoctoral Research

Job Description Summary

The University of Exeter is seeking two Postdoctoral Research Fellows to join the prestigious ‘Shaping Competition in the Digital Age’ (SCiDA) project, conducting comparative research on UK, EU, and German digital market competition regimes.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comparative theoretical, empirical, and doctrinal research on the UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, EU Digital Markets Act, and amended German Competition Act
• Analyze relevant legislation, jurisprudence, soft law, academic literature, and policy discussions to produce high-quality academic research
• Develop research objectives, projects, and proposals for the SCiDA project
• Identify sources of research funding and contribute to securing funds
• Make presentations at academic conferences and other events
• Contribute to teaching European Union Law and Law, Digital Markets & Competition modules
• Work collaboratively with the research team and supervise others as required

Benefits and Perks

• Generous holiday allowance with flexible working arrangements
• Comprehensive pension scheme
• Relocation package (if applicable)
• Freedom and support to pursue intellectual interests across disciplines
• Access to specialist support teams for research and teaching goals
• Support through the Exeter Academic initiative for high-performing academics
• Industry-leading benefits around maternity, adoption, shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and fertility treatment
• Beautiful campus setting in the heart of Devon

Company Overview

The University of Exeter is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and ranks in the top 200 universities worldwide according to both Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024. The university combines world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Company Culture

Exeter’s world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years. The university is home to some of the world’s most influential researchers who address fundamental issues facing humankind today. With over 99 percent of research being of international quality and 47 percent world-leading (as per the 2021 Research Excellence Framework), the university fosters a culture of academic excellence and innovation. Exeter actively encourages proactive engagement with industry, business, and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve student employability.

Career Growth Opportunities

As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, you’ll have access to the Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with academics, providing specialist support for external engagement and development. The university’s Exeter Academic initiative supports high-performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their careers in a supportive environment that values intellectual curiosity and academic freedom.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

The University of Exeter is deeply committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of the community are supported to thrive. With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries, Exeter celebrates diversity as a major strength. The university engages with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and is a Disability Confident employer. Additionally, the university is a proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcomes applications from service people.

Equal Opportunity Statement

While all applicants will be judged on merit alone, the University of Exeter particularly welcomes applications from groups currently underrepresented within their working community. The university is committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces to support an inclusive and accessible environment for all.

Remote Work Policy

These positions are based on-site at the beautiful Exeter campus located in the heart of Devon. Exeter is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City and is a fast-growing tech hub, offering an excellent quality of life alongside academic opportunities.

Application Process

1. Review the full job description and person specification available in the attachments section of the job posting
2. Prepare your application highlighting your expertise in Competition Law (preferably with focus on Digital Markets)
3. Submit your application through the University of Exeter online application portal
4. If shortlisted, attend an interview shortly after the closing date

Application Deadline

29/05/2025

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply online through the University of Exeter jobs portal. For further information about the positions, please contact Prof. Oles Andriychuk via email at o.andriychuk@exeter.ac.uk.

Social Media Links

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FAQs or Additional Information

When do the positions start?

The two positions have different start dates: one post will commence on 1 August 2025, and the other post will commence on 1 February 2026.

What is the SCiDA project?

The ‘Shaping Competition in the Digital Age’ (SCiDA) project is a collaborative research initiative focusing on comparative research of the UK, EU, and German regimes for shaping competition in digital markets. More information can be found at https://scidaproject.com/.

Who funds these positions?

One post is funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), and the other by the German Research Foundation (DFG).

Postdoctoral Research in Digital Competition Law: A Prestigious Opportunity

The digital marketplace is rapidly evolving, creating unprecedented challenges for competition regulation worldwide. As governments and regulatory bodies adapt to these challenges, there’s an increasing need for specialized research comparing different regulatory approaches. The University of Exeter’s ‘Shaping Competition in the Digital Age’ (SCiDA) project represents a cutting-edge initiative in this field, bringing together international expertise to analyze and compare competition frameworks in the UK, EU, and Germany.

Why These Research Fellowships Matter

These Postdoctoral Research Fellowships offer a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking comparative research at the intersection of technology, law, and economics. As digital platforms continue to reshape markets globally, the regulatory approaches developed now will shape competition policy for decades to come. By joining the SCiDA project, successful candidates will have the chance to influence this developing field through rigorous academic research and teaching.

The timing of these positions is particularly significant, coinciding with the implementation of major new digital competition legislation across Europe. The UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, the EU’s Digital Markets Act, and Germany’s amended Competition Act represent different approaches to similar challenges, making comparative analysis especially valuable.

The Research Environment at Exeter

The University of Exeter provides an ideal environment for this specialized research. As a member of the prestigious Russell Group, Exeter has demonstrated exceptional growth in research impact in recent years. The beautiful campus setting in Devon offers a conducive atmosphere for academic inquiry, while the university’s commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration encourages innovative approaches to complex problems.

Successful candidates will benefit from Exeter’s comprehensive support systems for researchers, including specialized teams that understand university-wide research goals and partner with academics accordingly. The Innovation, Impact and Business directorate works closely with academics, providing specialist support for external engagement and development.

Ideal Candidates and Research Focus

The ideal candidates for these positions will bring specialized knowledge in Competition Law, preferably with a focus on Digital Markets. They must possess the expertise to develop research programs and methodologies while demonstrating the ability to work collaboratively and supervise others as needed. The research will involve analyzing relevant legislation, jurisprudence, soft law, academic literature, and policy discussions to produce high-quality academic publications and contribute to the broader goals of the SCiDA project.

Beyond research, successful applicants will contribute to teaching European Union Law and Law, Digital Markets & Competition modules, helping to shape the next generation of legal scholars and practitioners in this evolving field.

A Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Exeter values diversity as a major strength and is committed to creating an inclusive culture where all community members can thrive. With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries, Exeter offers a truly international research environment. The university actively engages with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender, race equality, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and disability confidence, making it a welcoming place for researchers from all backgrounds.

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