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We have an exciting opportunity for a personable and effective administrator to work in the Client Services function of the Queen's Veterinary School Hospital (QVSH). This position is full-time and operates on a rota system to cover the hospital reception's opening hours, which are currently Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 7:00pm.

The Client Service Administrator is the first point of contact within the Small Animal Hospital aiming to provide a first-class customer service, rotating between front desk and telephone to provide all front-of-house services, therefore a friendly, calm and confident communicator is essential. You will be responsible for receiving incoming calls and emails, processing payments, booking appointments, and liaising with clients, referring veterinary practices, QVSH clinicians, nurses and students. You should have experience of working in a busy administrative role, have excellent customer care skills, be numerate, accurate and have an eye for detail.

You must be efficient and experienced in Microsoft Office packages and have the ability to establish professional and effective working relationships with the wider team. Excellent organisation skills, attention to detail and flexibility are all essential parts of the role.

In return, we offer an encouraging and nurturing environment and have a dedicated team of clinicians and nurses who are committed to providing the best care for our patients.

Benefits: - Generous paid annual leave including bank holidays - Defined benefit pension scheme - Enhanced family friendly policies - Access to a dedicated Personal and Professional Development team - Wellness programme including Occupational Health team and Staff counselling - Staff discount scheme including shopping vouchers - Cycle to work scheme - Travel to work loans - Eye care voucher scheme - Discounted gym membership

There may also be a requirement to participate in a weekend working, for which additional remuneration will be made in line with the University Policy.

For informal enquiries please contact the Clinical HR Team, by email on: qvsh.hr@vet.cam.ac.uk. Please quote reference PP45802 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please outline in your job application how you meet the essential criteria set out in the Further Particulars.

Further particulars for the role and information about the Department visit: www.vet.cam.ac.uk.

Closing date for applications: Midnight on 11th of May. Interviews will be held on the 21st of May.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications or extend it if we do not receive a sufficient number of applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Applications are invited for a Research Associate position in the group of Dr Alexander Jones at the Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University. Applicants must have or be close to obtaining a PhD in Plant Biology, Biochemistry, Systems Biology, Genetics, or related field. Where a PhD has yet to be awarded the appointment will initially be made at Research Assistant level (Grade 5) and amended to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon the award of PhD.

The cellular dynamics of the plant hormones underpin all aspects of plant development and environmental responses. Targeted perturbations of phytohormones such as abscisic acid and auxin have great potential to reprogram plant development. The project involves two aims: (1) discovery of how plant hormones respond to environmental stresses that are expected in the more extreme climates of the future and (2) redesigning root development via fine-scale perturbations of hormone dynamics with minimal off-target effects. The Jones group at SLCU has recently engineered a series of high-resolution FRET biosensors to track such dynamics for gibberellin, abscisic acid, auxin and salicylic acid in living plants.

The Jones group combines imaging of FRET biosensors with high-resolution genetic and biochemical perturbations to understand phytohormone cellular dynamics. This post will involve use of existing plants expressing biosensors to illuminate previously undetectable cellular and subcellular hormone patterns in vivo. The project's outcomes will be a mechanistic understanding of how and why hormone accumulations or depletions are modulated in space and time and application of this understanding to reprogram root developmental plasticity. We also collaborate with mathematicians to build multi-scale understanding of these complex and important signaling pathways.

For general information, please see a recent talk by Dr. Jones on YouTube (from 1hr30min to 2hrs of the video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLL-mJ7KaE&list=PLoARHFjEDBUWi7F6lLrY-3rseZfF1HX3) and consult the Jones team website (https://www.slcu.cam.ac.uk/research/jones-group).

Foundations in molecular biology and confocal microscopy are required, alongside a willingness and ability to learn and work with new methodologies. We particularly welcome candidates with advanced knowledge of and a proven track record in hormone biology or root development. Proficiency in plant developmental biology generally, molecular cloning, synthetic biology, systems biology, computational modelling, and image analysis would also be valuable to the role.

The successful applicant will be an excellent team player, highly solution orientated and self-motivated. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential, alongside the ability to work independently and with others, with a high degree of accuracy including outstanding record keeping. The Jones group is looking for a person keen to work in a highly collaborative set-up and enthusiastic to join our diverse and interdisciplinary team. Solid communication skills are required to interact with group members and other researchers at SLCU with different scientific backgrounds. Candidates should also demonstrate a history of science communication (e.g. presentations, outreach activities, teaching).

The Laboratory provides a welcoming and collaborative environment with a wide-range of family-friendly benefits and development opportunities. More about the Sainsbury Laboratory and details of what the University offers to employees, can be found at: http://www.slcu.cam.ac.uk/.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Scientific enquiries apart from the formal application should be directed to alexander.jones@slcu.cam.ac.uk.

For questions regarding the application process, please email HR@slcu.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PT45791 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

A talk by Onur Engin (University of Cambridge) in the 'Cambridge Seminars in the History of Cartography' series.

An afterhours film screening of Derek Jarman's queer classic, Sebastiane

Join us for a craft workshop all about pollinators!

Join our team as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant/Associate in Placental Biology.

The McGovern and Aiken labs are seeking a talented and motivated Postdoctoral Research Assistant /Associate in placental biology to join our teams. Our research aims to understand host-pathogen interactions at the maternal-fetal interface and factors mediating placental development and function.

The McGovern & Aiken Labs:

The team of Naomi McGovern is based at the Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge. It focuses on characterising human placental cells and determining how they fight transplacental infection. This includes work with trophoblast organoids, placental macrophages, Listeria monocytogenes and human cytomegalovirus. To develop our understanding of these cells, we utilise a range of technologies including proteomic, transcriptomic and epigenetic approaches.

https://www.path.cam.ac.uk/research/immunology-division/mcgovern-group

https://www.mcgovernlab.com/

The team of Catherine Aiken is based at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge. They investigate the mechanisms by which sub-optimal nutrition in early life can affect reproductive ageing, the impact of this on population health and effects across generations.

About the role:

Your project will aim to develop human trophoblast culture systems. You will generate and characterise trophoblast culture systems from first trimester and term placentas. You will use these models to understand how placental cells respond to infection and certain drugs, and how these responses change across gestation. You will use a range of techniques including confocal microscopy, bioinformatics and infection assays in CL2 facilities.

Main duties:

• Generate, maintain and characterise organoid and macrophage culture systems.
• Design, implementation, and application of infection and drug assays.
• Statistical analysis and data visualisation.
• To identify, develop and apply a broad range of techniques to pursue the research objectives.
• To present scientific work at seminars within the laboratory and at external meetings.
• To contribute to laboratory-wide discussions on developments within the field.
• To draft scientific papers and contribute to the overall preparation of research for publication.
• To contribute to public engagement events.
• To assist in the training of PhD students and other members of the team.

Further information can be found in the attached Further Particulars document.

You will have:

• A PhD in immunology or cellular biology, or near completion.
• Experience with 'omics data sets.
• A proven track record of research (e.g., publication record)
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Experience working with advanced tissue culture systems, e.g. organoids
• Ability to work as part of a team.

Please note, applicants who are close to PhD submission are welcome to apply. Without PhD submission, appointment would be made at Grade 5 Research Assistant until submission.

Desirable:

• Experience in working with infection assays such as HCMV or Listeria monocytogenes.

Why join us?

• Contribute to cutting-edge immunology research with real-world implications.
• Collaborate with experts across the fields of immunology, virology, microbiology, and placental biology.
• Work in a supportive and collaborative environment that fosters professional growth.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Any informal queries regarding this position should be directed to Dr Naomi McGovern: nm390@cam.ac.uk

Queries regarding the application process should be directed to Miss Ellie Watson (HR Administrator): ew649@cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PK45798 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Be part of something different!

The Department of Zoology is one of the largest Departments in the School of Biological Sciences and has a highly active research and teaching programme. The Museum is one of Cambridge's major attractions. Join our team of committed Professional Services Staff which offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the success of the Zoology at Cambridge.

We have an exciting opportunity for a proactive and enthusiastic individual to join our Facilities Management team. You will have good DIY skills, and a basic understanding of plant rooms, but more importantly the willingness to learn. Duties will include daily checks of plant equipment, general maintenance, minor redecoration, fire safety testing and porterage. You will be part of our growing Building Services team, and you will liaise with contractors, Estates Division staff and departmental staff.

You will have a customer focused approach, and ideally, you will have worked in a similar role. You will be IT literate, although training will be given in the use of specific systems. Experience working in the University or in a laboratory setting would be advantageous, but it is not a requirement. You will have technical aptitude and the ability to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team. Good communication skills, good time keeping, showing flexibility and remaining calm under pressure are essential.

This full-time position requires the post-holder to work on-site Monday to Friday, with a starting time between 7.30 and 8.30am, and availability for attendance for out-of-hours work may be necessary on occasions.

As an employee, you will have access to a range of excellent University of Cambridge benefits, including a generous holiday allowance, comprehensive maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave entitlement, various family-friendly schemes (e.g., workplace nurseries), an auto-enrolment pension scheme with a generous employer contribution, shopping discounts at over 2,000 local and national stores, the opportunity to participate in the cycle-to-work scheme, access to University of Cambridge training and many more.

We offer a welcoming work environment where you will feel valued, are encouraged to develop, and supported to achieve your full potential.

If you have the skills, experience and personality to succeed in this role we would be delighted to hear from you.

Informal conversations are welcomed. Please contact Glyn Theobald, Building Services Manager (gt465@cam.ac.uk), to hear more about this role.

For more details please refer to the Further Information below.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 1 year.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check, a health assessment and a standard Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

Flexible working requests will be considered.

We particularly welcome applications from women and candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our University.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

If you have any queries regarding the application process please contact Anastasia Nezhentseva.

Email: an286@cam.ac.uk Telephone: (0)1223 330117

Please quote reference PF45805 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

We are seeking a motivated and skilled research assistant to join our interdisciplinary team working on the development of a novel mathematical model to estimate water table depth in global peatlands. The successful candidate will contribute to the project through advanced image processing of the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite product and the application of linear mixed-effects models and machine learning algorithms. These methods will be merged to support the derivation of an analytical equation for water table depth estimation.

The ideal candidate will have experience in image processing, statistical modelling, and machine learning. Familiarity with field data collection or related environmental sciences is highly desirable. Additionally, experience with API development and basic web design would be advantageous, as the final product will be delivered as an accessible digital tool for farmers and related researchers.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of data science, environmental modelling, and field research, contributing to a high-impact project aimed at supporting peatland management.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 6 months in the first instance.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please notice that if you have not received any news from us 1 month after the closing date you should consider that on this occasion your application has not been successful.

Please quote reference PD45801 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Applications are invited for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate position in the laboratory of Dr Taufiq Rahman (https://www.phar.cam.ac.uk/research/rahman) at the Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge.

The project is an international collaborative one and multidisciplinary aiming to investigate the molecular mechanism(s) of few approved drugs that manifest potent antihypertensive effect through reducing arterial smooth muscle contractility and thus can be potentially repurposed for hypertension. We have already identified a target protein for these drugs. Therefore, the main aim for the project is to biophysically (through SPR/ITC), computationally (through MD simulation) and structurally (through solving crystal structure of the protein with drug bound) characterise the ligand-protein interaction.

The candidate should have proven experience in the design and execution of workflow for structure determination of proteins, from molecular biology/biochemical experiments (e.g. DNA cloning and mutagenesis, protein purification) through to structural data collection, processing and model building is essential. Some experience in biophysical assays such as SPR/ITC is highly desirable. Experience in running MD simulation will clearly be an added advantage but not essential. The ability to work both independently and as part of a team, coupled with excellent communication, organizational and problem-solving skills are required. Other duties/responsibilities include developing/driving research objectives, writing up work for presentation/publication purposes, and assisting in supervising undergraduate/postgraduate student research projects.

Applicants should have, or expect to obtain shortly, a PhD in structural biology Biophysics, Biochemistry or any related discipline. Successful candidates who have not been awarded their PhD by the appointment date will be appointed as a Research Assistant at Grade 5 (£32,546 - £35,116). Upon the award of the PhD the individual will be promoted to Research Associate, Grade 7 (£37,174 - £45,413).

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available from 15th June 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter, for 12 months in the first instance with the possibility of renewal for 3 more subsequent years.

The Department holds an Athena SWAN bronze award, demonstrating a commitment to provide equal opportunities and particularly welcomes application from women, black and minority ethnic candidates. Appointment will be based on merit alone.

The online application is to include your personal details, names and addresses of referees, as well as your CV, research publications list and cover letter outlining your interest in the project.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Informal enquiries about the position can be made to Dr Taufiq Rahman (mtur2@cam.ac.uk)

For enquiries about the online application process, please contact the HR Team, hr@phar.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PL45787 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

With a dash of sunny weather, a sprinkle of great vibes, and a wedge of excellent company, we welcome the return of the Eddington Beer Garden.

A workshop about making and living with mistakes, with surgeon, educator and writer David Alderson and visual artist Kirsten Lavers

Through her work, Kirsten Lavers creates possibilities for conversations around our desire for perfection and discomfort with fallibility.

Join one of our knowledgeable Visitor Assistants for an introductory guided tour of the Kettle’s Yard house.

A morning workshop for people interested in games (table top, role play) and also in thinking about how we can improve conversations around death and dying.

An evening of poetry inspired by Greek and Roman sculpture

Next Generation Fellow, Centre for Trophoblast Research

The Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research (CTR) was founded in 2007 as a Centre of excellence to promote scientific study of the placenta, early development and maternal-fetal interactions during pregnancy. It brings together over 30 Principal Investigators, many of whom are recognized international experts in their fields.

The Loke CTR has an opening for a Next Generation Fellow who will complement and synergise with our existing research programmes. Next Generation Fellowships are a springboard to a long and successful career in the field of placental and reproductive biology and highly flexible to suit individual needs, to enable the postholder to develop as an independent researcher. Holders are expected, and will be supported, to apply for Research Fellowship/Career Development Awards from research councils or other funders, or a faculty position during their tenure. Find out more about the fellowship on our website: https://www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/ngf-overview

The Next Generation Fellowships are a springboard to a long and successful career in the field of placental and reproductive biology. Many of our Next Generation Fellows have used the opportunity as a stepping stone to independent group leader positions: https://www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/next-generation-fellow-alumni.

What to expect

Next Generation Fellows will be mentored to develop and establish an independent research program that will complement that of other groups within the Centre for Trophoblast Research. Fellows will be expected to contribute fully to the activities of the Loke CTR and to their host department. They will supervise MPhil/masters, summer and/or undergraduate students. They may be a co-applicant on research grant applications to recruit, train and co-supervise postdoctoral researchers, research assistants, technical staff and PhD students.

The post holder will be expected to create a strong track record of publishing high impact papers and disseminate the results of their work in any ways that seem appropriate and effective (e.g. via conferences and seminars). They will be responsible for compliance with all the relevant laws (Home Office, HTA, HFEA).

Candidates should hold a PhD and have a high-quality publication track record in academic journals or equivalent. We welcome applications from across a diverse range of research relevant to our Grand Challenges https://www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/about-us/objectives.

Contract details

Appointments will be made on a fixed-term, full-time, basis for a period of 3 years (Grade 7, £37,174- £45,413 for appointments in 2025). There is a possibility of up to 1-year extension. The contract further includes research consumables/equipment of £60,000 per annum & travel support up to £750 over the duration of the fellowship.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

To apply to this post, candidates should first identify a research Sponsor from the list of Principal Investigators https://www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/people/principal-investigators within the Centre for Trophoblast Research, and discuss their research plans with them.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

In addition to this, please ensure that you upload the application documentations as follows:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Up to 3 letters of reference

• Letter of support from your chosen Loke CTR sponsor

• Loke CTR Next Generation Fellowship application form

The closing date for applications is 30th January 2026.

Please quote reference PM45775 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

The post Strongest hints yet of biological activity outside the solar system appeared first on Cambridge Enterprise.

The post Accelerated Materials receives inaugural investment appeared first on Cambridge Enterprise.

Applications are invited for a Software Project Manager position in the research group of Dr. François Nédélec at the Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge (SLCU). This role is part of the ERC Synergy project BioMecaNet, in collaboration with Andrea Musacchio's team (MPI of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, DE) and Thomas Surrey's team (CRG, Barcelona, SP).

The successful candidate will work on developing innovative software tools to simulate cellular and molecular processes key to cell division, particularly mitotic spindle assembly and chromosome segregation. This project uses advanced mathematical models and computational techniques to analyze cytoskeletal mechanics and cell cycle processes.

Primary work will include extending Cytosim, a widely-used, cross-platform open-source simulation engine for cytoskeleton research (www.cytosim.org). Cytosim is designed to handle large systems of flexible filaments and associated proteins, like molecular motors, and is actively maintained by the PI with contributions from other groups worldwide. It features simulation capabilities and an interactive 3D graphical mode.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain robust, high-performance software enabling cellular-scale simulations.
• Upgrade the graphical engine and desktop OpenGL code to OpenGL ES 2.0.
• Modernize Cytosim's GUI using GLFW and ImGUI or a similar solution.
• Adapt Cytosim for tablet/phone deployment and browser use via WebAssembly.
• Provide user support and potentially develop a Wiki for documentation.
• Assist in organizing annual, week-long training courses.
• Collaborate with biologists to translate biological processes into computational models.
• Contribute to algorithm development for large-scale simulations, especially parallelization.
• Create software solutions (such as games or demos) for outreach activities.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in computer science, software engineering, computational biology, or a related field; PhD candidates are also welcome to apply.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python; knowledge of OpenGL and computer graphics is advantageous.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with familiarity in mechanics or stochastic modeling algorithms in biology.
• Experience in mathematical modeling, scientific computing, systems biology, or AI is advantageous.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary team.

This position offers exciting opportunities for collaboration and the chance to contribute directly to advancing biological understanding through software development. SLCU provides a supportive and collaborative environment, along with various family-friendly benefits and professional development resources.

To apply, please upload:

• A detailed CV with a list of publications (if applicable)
• A supporting statement
• Contact information for three referees

The funding for this post is available for two years or until 30 June 2027, whichever is the sooner.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Scientific enquiries apart from the formal application should be directed to Dr. François Nédélec at Francois.Nedelec@slcu.cam.ac.uk.

For questions regarding the application process, please email HR@slcu.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PT45752 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

The metals have previously been shown to damage the health of pollinators, which ingest them in nectar as they feed, leading to reduced population sizes and death. Even low nectar metal levels can have long-term effects, by affecting bees’ learning and memory - which impacts their foraging ability.

Researchers have found that common plants including white clover and bindweed, which are vital forage for pollinators in cities, can accumulate arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead from contaminated soils.

Metal contamination is an issue in the soils of cities worldwide, with the level of contamination usually increasing with the age of a city. The metals come from a huge range of sources including cement dust and mining.

The researchers say soils in cities should be tested for metals before sowing wildflowers and if necessary, polluted areas should be cleaned up before new wildflower habitats are established.

The study highlights the importance of growing the right species of wildflowers to suit the soil conditions. 

Reducing the risk of metal exposure is critical for the success of urban pollinator conservation schemes. The researchers say it is important to manage wildflower species that self-seed on contaminated urban land, for example by frequent mowing to limit flowering - which reduces the transfer of metals from the soil to the bees.

The results are published today in the journal Ecology and Evolution. 

Dr Sarah Scott in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Zoology and first author of the report, said: “It’s really important to have wildflowers as a food source for the bees, and our results should not discourage people from planting wildflowers in towns and cities.

“We hope this study will raise awareness that soil health is also important for bee health. Before planting wildflowers in urban areas to attract bees and other pollinators, it’s important to consider the history of the land and what might be in the soil – and if necessary find out whether there’s a local soil testing and cleanup service available first.”

The study was carried out in the post-industrial US city of Cleveland, Ohio, which has over 33,700 vacant lots left as people have moved away from the area. In the past, iron and steel production, oil refining and car manufacturing went on there. But any land that was previously the site of human activity may be contaminated with traces of metals.

To get their results, the researchers extracted nectar from a range of self-seeded flowering plants that commonly attract pollinating insects, found growing on disused land across the city. They tested this for the presence of arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead. Lead was consistently found at the highest concentrations, reflecting the state of the soils in the city.

The researchers found that different species of plant accumulate different amounts, and types, of the metals. Overall, the bright blue-flowered chicory plant (Cichorium intybus) accumulated the largest total metal concentration, followed by white clover (Trifolium repens), wild carrot (Daucus carota) and bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). These plants are all vital forage for pollinators in cities - including cities in the UK - providing a consistent supply of nectar across locations and seasons.

There is growing evidence that wild pollinator populations have dropped by over 50% in the last 50 years, caused primarily by changes in land use and management across the globe. Climate change and pesticide use also play a role; overall the primary cause of decline is the loss of flower-rich habitat.

Pollinators play a vital role in food production: many plants, including apple and tomato, require pollination in order to develop fruit. Natural ‘pollination services’ are estimated to add billions of dollars to global crop productivity. 

Scott said: “Climate change feels so overwhelming, but simply planting flowers in certain areas can help towards conserving pollinators, which is a realistic way for people to make a positive impact on the environment.”

The research was funded primarily by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Reference 
Scott, S.B.& Gardiner, M.M.: ‘Trace metals in nectar of important urban pollinator forage plants: A direct exposure risk to pollinators and nectar-feeding animals in cities.’ Ecology and Evolution, April 2025.  DOI: 10.1002/ece3.71238
 

Wildflowers growing on land previously used for buildings and factories can accumulate lead, arsenic and other metal contaminants from the soil, which are consumed by pollinators as they feed, a new study has found.

Our results should not discourage people from planting wildflowers in towns and cities. But.. it’s important to consider the history of the land and what might be in the soil."Sarah ScottSarah ScottChicory growing in a vacant lot

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