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The new Fellows have been recognised for their remarkable contributions to advancing medical science, groundbreaking research discoveries and translating developments into benefits for patients and the wider public. Their work exemplifies the Academy’s mission to create an open and progressive research sector that improves health for everyone.

They join an esteemed Fellowship of 1,450 researchers who are at the heart of the Academy’s work, which includes nurturing the next generation of scientists and shaping research and health policy in the UK and worldwide.

One of Cambridge’s new Fellows, Professor Sam Behjati, is a former recipient of the Academy’s prestigious Foulkes Foundation medal, which recognises rising stars within biomedical research. Sam is Clinical Professor of Paediatric Oncology at the University and an Honorary Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, as well as Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. His research is rooted in cancer genomics, phylogenetics, and single cell transcriptomics and spans a wide range of diseases and biological problems. More recently, his work has focused on the origin of cancers, in particular of childhood cancer. In addition, he explores how to use genomic data to improve the treatment of children. Sam is a Fellow at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

Also elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship are:

Professor Clare Bryant, Departments of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

Clare Bryant is Professor of Innate Immunity. She studies innate immune cell signalling during bacterial infection to answer fundamental questions about host-pathogen interactions and to search for new drugs to modify them. She also applies these approaches to study inflammatory signalling in chronic diseases of humans and animals.  Clare has extensive collaborations with many pharmaceutical companies, is on the scientific advisory board of several biotech companies, and helped found the natural product company Polypharmakos. Clare is a Fellow of Queens’ College, Cambridge.

Professor Frank Reimann, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories

Frank Reimann is Professor of Endocrine Signaling. The main focus of his group, run in close partnership with Fiona Gribble, is the enteroendocrine system within the gut, which helps regulate digestion, metabolism, and how full we feel. Their work has included the use of animal models and human cellular models to understand how cells function. One of these cells, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is the target of therapies now widely used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and obesity. How cells shape feeding behaviour has become a major focus of the lab in recent years.

Professor Mina Ryten, UK Dementia Research Institute

Mina Ryten is a clinical geneticist and neuroscientist, and Director of the UK Dementia Research Institute at Cambridge since January 2024. She also holds the Van Geest Professorship and leads a lab focused on understanding molecular mechanisms driving neurodegeneration. Mina’s research looks at how genetic variation influences neurological diseases, particularly Lewy body disorders. Her work has advanced the use of single cell and long-read RNA sequencing to map disease pathways and identify potential targets for new treatments. Her expertise in clinical care and functional genomics has enabled her to bridge the gap between patient experience and scientific discovery.

Professor Andrew Morris CBE FRSE PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “The breadth of disciplines represented in this year’s cohort – from mental health and infectious disease to cancer biology and respiratory medicine – reflects the rich diversity of medical science today. Their election comes at a crucial time when scientific excellence and collaboration across disciplines are essential for addressing global health challenges both now and in the future. We look forward to working with them to advance biomedical research and create an environment where the best science can flourish for the benefit of people everywhere.”

The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a ceremony on Wednesday 9 July 2025.

Four Cambridge biomedical and health researchers are among those announced today as newly-elected Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Big T Images for Academy of Medical SciencesAcademy of Medical Sciences plaque

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Presented by The Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University, the exhibit is part of a brand-new GreenSTEM section that celebrates cutting-edge research and innovation in the world of plant science.

Blooming Numbers takes visitors on an immersive journey through the latest discoveries in quantitative plant biology—starting with the humble flower and diving deep into molecular biology, genetics, imaging technologies, computational modelling, and the often-overlooked mathematical patterns that govern plant development.

“This award is just so exciting,” said Kathy Grube from the Sainsbury Laboratory.

“We came in in the morning to water the plants and turn on the microscopes, and the medal had been laid out by the judges. We were jumping up and down when we found it.”

The eye-catching exhibit was a collaborative effort across multiple Cambridge institutions and partners. The University’s Department of Engineering co-designed the infrastructure, drawing inspiration from the Fibonacci sequence—an iconic numerical pattern found throughout nature. The Pollinator Patch, a lush highlight of the exhibit, was designed and cultivated by Oakington Garden Centre to demonstrate pollinator-friendly planting. Darwin Nurseries added wildlife-friendly hanging baskets that captivated visitors and judges alike.

“One of our fellow exhibitors, who have been coming to Chelsea for years, told us that getting a silver-gilt on your first try is a real achievement,” said Kathy.

“The judges came over and said the design of the stand was fantastic, and they loved the interactive exhibits. We’re just so honoured.”

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the world’s most famous horticultural show, runs until the end of the week and attracts horticultural experts, designers, and plant lovers from across the globe.
 

The University of Cambridge has made a dazzling debut at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, winning a prestigious silver-gilt medal for its interactive plant science exhibit, Blooming Numbers.

The Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University

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YesRelated Links: GreenSTEM spotlights horticultural science at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

The post TenU calls for united action to back growth-driving spinouts appeared first on Cambridge Enterprise.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome the latest cohort of outstanding researchers into the Fellowship of the Royal Society,” said Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society. “Their achievements represent the very best of scientific endeavour, from basic discovery to research with real-world impact across health, technology and policy. From tackling global health challenges to reimagining what AI can do for humanity, their work is a testament to the power of curiosity-driven research and innovation.

“The strength of the Fellowship lies not only in individual excellence, but in the diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences each new member brings. This cohort represents the truly global nature of modern science and the importance of collaboration in driving scientific breakthroughs.”

The Fellows and Foreign Members join the ranks of Stephen Hawking, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Lise Meitner, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar and Dorothy Hodgkin.

The new Cambridge fellows are:

Professor Edward Bullmore FMedSci FRS

Professor Ed Bullmore is Professor of Psychiatry and former Head of the Department of Psychiatry. His research mainly involves the application of brain imaging to psychiatry. He has introduced an entirely original approach to the analysis of human brain anatomy, involving graph theory and its application to small-world networks. This has had an enormous impact on the field, especially in relation to understanding the biological basis of schizophrenia and depression. His work has been key to the understanding of the 'wiring' of the human brain.

Professor Gábor Csányi FRS

Professor Gábor Csányi is Professor of Molecular Modelling in the Department of Engineering, and a Fellow of Pembroke College. His work is in the field of computational chemistry, and is focused on developing algorithms to predict the properties of materials and molecules from first principles. He pioneered the application of machine learning to molecular modelling which lead to enormous gains in the efficiency of molecular dynamics simulation.

Professor Judith Driscoll FRS

Professor Judith Driscoll is Professor of Materials Science in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, and a Fellow of Trinity College. Her research is concerned with the nanoscale design and tuning of functional oxide thin film materials for energy-efficient electronic applications. A particular focus of her research group is oxide thin films, owing to their wide range of functionalities and their stability. However, their compositions tend to be complex, defects are prevalent, and interface effects play a strong role. Also, for many applications device structural dimensions are required down to nanometre length-scales. Together, all these factors produce exciting challenges for the materials scientist.

Professor Marie Edmonds FRS

Professor Marie Edmonds is Head of Department and Professor of Volcanology and Petrology in the Department of Earth Sciences. She is also a Fellow of Queens’ College. Her research focuses on understanding the impact of volcanoes on our environment and on the habitability of our planet. Her research spans the boundaries between traditional disciplines, from deciphering the nature of the interior of the Earth, to magma transport and storage in the crust, to volcano monitoring, understanding ore deposits and the dynamic chemistry of volcanic gases in the atmosphere and climate.

Professor Julian Hibberd FRS

Professor Julian Hibberd is Head of the Department of Plant Sciences and a Fellow of Emmanuel College. His research focuses on guiding optimisation of photosynthesis to improve crop yields. The C4 pathway is a complex form of photosynthesis that evolved around 30 million years ago and is now used by the most productive plants on the planet. Professor Hibberd has provided key insights into the evolution of C4 photosynthesis through analysis of plant physiology, cell specialisation, organelle development, and the control of gene expression.

Dr Gregory Jefferis FRS

Dr Gregory Jefferis is Joint Head of the Neurobiology Division at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Director of Research of the Department of Zoology. The broad goal of his research is to understand how smell turns into behaviour in the fruit fly brain. His group is particularly interested in how odour information is processed by the higher olfactory centres that mediate innate and learned behaviour.

Professor Jason Miller FRS

Professor Jason Miller is a Professor in the Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics and a Fellow of Trinity College. His research interests are in probability, in particular stochastic interface models, random walk, mixing times for Markov chains, and interacting particle systems.

Professor Andrew Pitts FRS

Professor Andrew Pitts is Emeritus Professor of Theoretical Computer Science in the Department of Computer Science and Technology and an Emeritus Fellow of Darwin College. His research makes use of techniques from category theory, mathematical logic and type theory to advance the foundations of programming language semantics and theorem proving systems. His aim is to develop mathematical models and methods that aid language design and the development of formal logics for specifying and reasoning about programs. He is particularly interested in higher-order typed programming languages and in dependently typed logics.

Dr Marta Zlatic FRS

Dr Marta Zlatic is Programme Leader at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, and Director of Research in the Department of Zoology. She is also a Fellow of Trinity College. Her research aims to understand the relationship between the structure of the nervous system and its function and to discover the basic principles by which neural circuits implement fundamental computations. A major focus of her research is the circuit implementation of learning and decision-making.

Nine outstanding Cambridge scientists have been elected as Fellows of the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of sciences and the oldest science academy in continuous existence.

Tom MorrisEntrance to the Royal Society

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We are looking to recruit a creative and motivated Communications Assistant to help share the beauty of the botanic garden. This roll will support the Garden's marketing activities and event promotion, encouraging new and returning visitors.

The Communications Team looks after the Garden's marketing, press and PR activities and the Communications Assistant will assist on all aspects of these activities. This will involve supporting the Garden's social media activities, marketing and communications activities such as advertising and newsletters, website updates and promoting the Garden as a visitor attraction through print and digital media.

Interviews anticipated - w/c 7 July 2025 Preferred start date - Tuesday 26 August 2025

See Further Particulars for full details, including Person Specification

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

For any questions relating to this recruitment please contact admin@botanic.cam.ac.uk

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.

What is a memory?

Is it a distinct pattern of brain activity, a blueprint for future behaviour, or a skill that we can improve with a little training? Probably all these things and more, argues Jon Simons, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology and Head of the School of the Biological Sciences.

Jon’s Memory Lab studies all aspects of memory. They invite volunteers to complete memory tasks online, in the laboratory, or sometimes while lying in an MRI machine while the team scans their brains. 

If memory serves

The biochemical changes that represent memories range across the brain’s real estate. A long list of factors determine which brain areas light up during the experience: whether a memory is being encoded or reconstructed, whether it's an old or a new pattern, and what kind of information it deals with.

“We know that the hippocampus is crucial for forming new memories, but it’s not necessarily the permanent storage site," Jon says. "For long-term storage, we also recruit cortical areas – the frontal lobes, temporal lobes, parietal lobes and more.”

To plot a route through tangled terrain, researchers divide memory into different types. Short-term memory lasts a minute at most and has a limited capacity – around 7 items give-or-take, according to Harvard’s George Miller in the 1950s. Think of repeating numbers to yourself while jotting down someone’s phone number. If we don’t record those numbers fast enough, they’ll fade quickly. 

But even short-term memory isn’t unitary. Alan Baddeley (Churchill 1959), former director of Cambridge’s Medical Research Council (MRC) Applied Psychology Unit (now called the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit), coined a new way of understanding how short-term memories are stored and manipulated. His 'working memory' model proposes that separate brain systems deal with different kinds of inputs. One part rehearses and replays sounds, for instance, while another holds visual information like a ‘mental canvas’. 

the_working_memory_model.svg_.png

This is different yet again from our long-term memories. These deeper experiences can stay with us for a lifetime. Recalling them can be thought of as a kind of ‘mental time-travel’, allowing us to subjectively relive past events complete with the sights, smells and sounds of cherished scenes.

Researchers now believe that we reconstruct our memories each time we experience them. From scant traces, we extrapolate the narrative of what happened. In this way, memory is a creative act, not a simple recap. One classic Cambridge study revealed how our memories are morphed by bias, beliefs, feelings and expectations.
 

Cambridge’s long memory

Enter the elegant study of Sir Frederic Bartlett, Cambridge’s first Psychology professor. 

Bartlett’s book ‘Remembering’ (1932) made use of a now famous story: the war of the ghosts. 

In this Native American folk tale, a man meets warriors paddling their canoes downriver, who invite him to join a war party. He later realises the men are ghosts, waging war on the living. 

Bartlett taught his Edwardian undergraduates this tale, then asked them to retell it in their own words. Over several retellings, his students altered key elements of the story so that it sounded more like the world they knew. ‘Canoes’ became ‘boats’, while mentions of ‘spirits’ were dropped altogether.

canoe.jpg

Bartlett's study showed the effects of culture on recall, and how the changes we make to our memories aren’t random. Even if we’re not conscious of doing so, we prefer to change story elements so that they align with our expectations, biases and cultural norms.

This feature of memory has massive implications for how we remember the past. Eye-witness testimony will be prey to the same biases. Unintentional errors, made in favour of what is familiar to us, are very difficult to avoid.

Another titan of memory research was an undergraduate while Bartlett was teaching. During World War II, Brenda Milner (Newnham 1936) helped the Psychology department repurpose itself for the war effort. After this, Milner moved to Canada to analyse patient Henry Molaison (formerly known as H M). Molaison would become one of the most famous patients in all of psychology. 

Molaison had profound amnesia. This was due to experimental surgery, where doctors removed his hippocampus to try and improve his epilepsy. Milner meticulously documented how Molaison’s memory functioned after surgery. She showed how he was unable to form new memories or remember events from the years leading up to his surgery, but that his memories from earlier in life remained intact. This work transformed our understanding of the hippocampus’ role in memory.

Psychologists like Milner and Bartlett showed us the primacy of the hippocampus and highlighted the creative nature of memory. Modern Cambridge researchers can take our investigations even further.
 

Peak performance

With all we now know about memory, can we understand what makes for better performance?

Together with Professor Simon Baron-Cohen and his team at the Autism Research Centre, Jon is currently studying thousands of the UK’s best memorisers to find the keys to their prowess. Volunteers completed a battery of memory tests online – the best performers then came for brain scans and further testing in the lab.

Their early results suggest some interesting traits, as well as the strategies people use to enhance their abilities. 

“There's a psychological trait called ‘systemising’,” says Jon. “It's found in people who have a drive to analyse and construct rule-based ways of thinking. Those kinds of people seem to be more likely to have exceptional memories.”

Simon Baron-Cohen was the first to define this trait. He did so in relation to people on the autism spectrum, for whom ‘systemising’ is set very high. 

So if you happen to think like a ‘systemiser’, you may have a better memory. If you don’t, there are also concrete strategies to boost your memory capacities.

“Mnemonics are an evidence-based technique that can improve our memories,” Jon explains. “They often involve thinking spatially. Start by visualising somewhere you know well, then mentally ‘place’ important information in that map. You can then 'travel through' that map when recalling.”

Think Sherlock’s ‘mind palace’ from the BBC adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s books. Jon points out that pre-BBC, this strategy was familiar to ancient Greek and Roman orators. They called it the method of loci, using it as a way to remember extremely long speeches. It can also be helpful for everyday tasks, like remembering a shopping list.

gettyimages-1270935214.jpg

Jon’s tip for this method is to make the memory triggers striking. Associate the eggs on your shopping list with a fire-breathing dragon guarding its young, for example, and the sensory impression might be distinct enough to stand out from the background noise. 

“The more bizarre the better! Our memories have a big job in trying to differentiate one memory from another. We can help it out by making key information more distinctive. This helps our brains to distinguish memories from one another, and stop irrelevant ones from overlapping or interfering.”

Indeed, one of the functions of the hippocampus is to perform pattern separation – trying to make our memories distinct. If memories are too similar, we find it harder to recall specific experiences. 

This might go some way to explaining the ‘brain fog’ many experienced during COVID-19 lockdowns. With days inside tending to repeat familiar routines, we had less distinct and varied experiences. Our brains were less able to create rich, meaningful memories. Looking back on 2020 and 2021, people find it hard to separate what happened when.

There’s a lesson for non-lockdown living here too. If we want a rich life that feels like it lasts longer and is full of accessible, interesting memories, we should prioritise variety in our experience.

To further improve memory function, we should strive to decrease stress, fear and anxiety (where possible). These emotional states increase our cognitive load and reduce our memory abilities.

“When anxious thoughts flood our minds, they compete for space in our working memory and impair our ability to recall long-term memories. They pull attention and resources away from the things we’d like to focus on. If we can find ways to reduce stress and anxiety, our memory can often bounce back.”

While this might be easier said than done, science has concrete recommendations for reducing stress and anxiety. Done consistently, a healthy diet, regular exercise and a good sleep schedule, as well as techniques like mindfulness practice, can have transformative effects. 

Researchers like Jon are deepening our understanding of what memories are. The Memory Lab follows an illustrious line of Cambridge psychologists who identified key pieces of memory’s endless puzzle. Wherever the next steps lead, they will affirm a wonder of nature: the intricate patterns our mind weaves to make sense of the world outside.

For a handy guide to building mental resilience, check out Brain Boost by Dr Barbara Sahakian and Dr Christelle Langley. To focus on fighting anxiety with scientific techniques, try Dr Olivia Remes.

To find out how you can participate in Memory Lab studies, get in touch.

By tying together more than a century of memory research at Cambridge, the Memory Lab gives us tangible ways to improve, preserve and understand our memory.

When anxious thoughts flood our minds, they compete for space in our working memory and impair our ability to recall long-term memories. If we can find ways to reduce stress and anxiety, our memory can often bounce back.Jon SimonsSusana CamachoJon Simons, by Susana Camacho

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Join us for a discussion of an intriguing new book by Jamie Pitts, Professor of Anabaptist Studies at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Indiana, USA.

The post Cambridge Pro-Vice-Chancellor to lead Research Ireland appeared first on Cambridge Enterprise.

Applications are invited for a Teaching Associate to be appointed to a joint post in the Department of Biochemistry and Department of Pharmacology. The post is available for 2 years, with view of starting from September 2025.

The role holder will be based in Central Cambridge and work will be working across both departments within the School of Biological Sciences that are closely associated with the Gurdon Institute, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, MRC Toxicology Unit and provide many opportunities for interactions with the broader Cambridge community.

The role focuses primarily on delivery of teaching and examining but will also be involved in course development. For example, the Teaching Associate will be expected to plan, prepare and deliver lectures, seminars and practical classes, as well as contribute to curriculum design. The post holder will also set and mark examination papers and coursework, as well as writing essay feedback and thesis reports. The Teaching Associate will be expected to participate in relevant meetings and committees.

With this in mind, it is essential that applicants are able to demonstrate experience of successfully developing and delivering teaching at University level, such as lectures and seminars, practical classes, or smaller group work. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required to explain concepts and complex information to non-experts, develop and encourage the commitment to learn in others and to present material to a range of audiences. The role holder may also need to provide pastoral assistance to students although more in-depth issues would be referred to College Tutors in the first instance. Candidates should hold a PhD in a related area, or equivalent demonstrable experience and/or a teaching qualification as appropriate.

Interviews are expected to take place in July 2025.

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

Prospective candidates are invited to contact the Acting Head of Department of Pharmacology, Professor Ewan St. John Smith, for informal enquires: hod@phar.cam.ac.uk.

Please ensure that in the "upload section" of the online application you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a cover letter explaining your professional experience and fit for the role. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

If you have any questions the application process, please contact our HR team (hr@phar.cam.ac.uk).

Please quote reference PL45735 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.

Lunchtime Organ Recital by Amelia Crichton-Stuart

The Pathogen Dynamics Unit, located within the Department of Genetics at the University of Cambridge is looking for one full-time postdoctoral Research Associate to work on projects relating to the emergence, spread and control of dengue virus.

The Pathogen Dynamics Unit at the University of Cambridge consists of 15-20 researchers at different stages of their career using mathematical and computational research to help our understanding of how pathogens spread in populations, assess control efforts and support policy making. We work closely with an established network of collaborators across laboratories, field-based epidemiologists, hospitals and public health agencies.

The position will be based in Cambridge and will be supervised by Professor Henrik Salje in a collaborative project with researchers at the University of Lancaster and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The project will consist of the analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genomes and contact tracing data collected as part of the COVID-19 response. The project will use phylogenetic and mathematical modelling approaches to understand the structure of UK society, and the implications of how we interact with each other leads to infectious disease spread. The finding from this work will help guide future pandemic preparedness.

The applicant will have strong quantitative skills, including applied to pathogen genomic data. The project will require the development of computationally intensive models and therefore applicants should have experience in coding and a good understanding of probability, likelihoods and Bayesian analysis. We are also seeking individuals with a strong interest in public health.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop models that integrate different data types (e.g., serology, epidemiological data, genomic data, demography) to understand the dynamics of pathogens.
• Write-up findings in manuscripts
• Work with study partners
• Present findings at conferences, external and internal meetings
• Be an active member of the Pathogen Dynamics Unit, including contributing to wider group discussions
• Supervision of students/Interns working in support of the research group

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 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.

For informal enquiries about the role please contact Professor Henrik Salje hs743@cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PC45972 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.

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The Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience (PDN) is seeking an enthusiastic Business Administration Apprentice from September 2025. This is an exciting opportunity to join our administration team at the University of Cambridge.

The Apprentice will be part of the departmental admin team and will study the Business Administrator Level 3 qualification. The business administration apprentice will, during their apprenticeship, cover many aspects of administration within the department. They will be given the opportunity to work with HR, Receptions, Events and Finance, as well as other teams to develop a wider perspective on the running of an academic department at the University of Cambridge.

You will be a great team player who has good organisation skills and prioritising skills. The apprentice will need to have basic IT skills and be able to follow instructions and learn new tasks. You will have good communication and interpersonal skills to communicate with staff at all levels.

What you'll do in a working day

• Provide reception and clerical services in a welcoming and professional manner
• Assist with the organisation of events and meetings. Coordinate and book meeting rooms, prepare/order refreshments, collate and distribute materials for events, seminars, meetings, take minutes, assist with departmental communications
• Provide administrative support for different operational areas of the Department. Receive calls and take messages, liaise with other departments and organisations. Review emails to identify priorities, process internal and external mail, deal with couriers, produce letters and other correspondence, data entry and maintenance of data records, attend team meetings and take notes/minutes as required
• Perform general administrative tasks. Assist with processing and updating of access to buildings and keys, ordering University cards. Provide administrative support for projects
• Assist with HR administration in accordance with the University policies and procedures.
• Support the administration of visitors

Fixed-term: 21 months

All applications for this vacancy are being handled by the training provider for this apprenticeship, Cambridge Regional College. Please follow this link to the national apprenticeship website to apply: https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeship/VAC1000319907.

For informal enquiries about working for the Department please contract Tracey Flack, pdnhr@pdn.cam.ac.uk. For queries relating to the apprenticeship please contact Cambridge Regional College.

Closing Date: 8 June 2025. Interviews are expected to take place in late June 2025.

Please quote reference PM45517 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 Postdoctoral Research Associate position in cellular biophysics in the group of Prof. Ewa Paluch. The Paluch lab studies cellular morphogenesis combining cell and molecular biology, quantitative imaging and biophysical approaches to investigate cell shape changes in cultured cells and in vivo. Current projects in the lab include investigating the regulation of the mechanical properties of the cellular actin cortex, the biomechanics of cell division, and the coupling between cell shape and mechanics and cellular state / fate during cellular transitions.

The successful candidate will conduct fundamental research aimed at understanding cell shape dynamics and the cross -talk between cell shape and cell state during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The aim of the project is to 1) develop computational pipelines for image analysis and physical analysis of cell shape trajectories, and for combined morpho-molecular analysis of cell shape together with molecular markers, and 2) to develop a physical model of cell shape dynamics during EMT.

You should hold a PhD (or about to be awarded a PhD) in Biophysics or a related field and have extensive experience with cell and developmental biophysics, imaging, image analysis, and modelling of biological processes.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

Further information on the lab: https://www.pdn.cam.ac.uk/directory/ewa-paluch

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

To apply for this post, please submit a CV and a motivation letter detailing why you want to be part of this project and how this post will be a good stepping-stone for your career. We also need the contact details for two people who can provide a professional reference.

The funds for this post are available for 1 years in the first instance.

The closing date for applications is 26th May 2025.

Please quote reference PM45966 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 postdoctoral position in Dr. Sepiedeh Keshavarzi's laboratory at the University of Cambridge. The lab's Wellcome-Trust-funded research investigates neural circuits for the sense of direction and self-motion by combining in vivo and ex vivo neuronal recording and manipulation with quantitative behavioural assays in mice. For more details, please visit our website: keshavarzilab.com.

This project will dissect the organisation of head-direction circuits in the mouse brain, with a focus on the retrosplenial cortex and its reciprocal cortical and thalamic connections. In the first phase, you'll employ slice electrophysiology (whole-cell patch-clamp), circuit tracing and optogenetic mapping to characterize the synaptic and intrinsic properties of defined pathways. In the second phase, you'll investigate how these circuits remodel during spatial-orientation tasks, probing whether neuronal plasticity is necessary for accurate spatial learning. Collaborative opportunities will allow you to bridge ex vivo and in vivo approaches. Highly driven postdocs who establish efficient slice workflows may broaden their skillset to include complementary in vivo approaches - ranging from extracellular recordings with Neuropixels probes and two-photon calcium imaging to spatial-orientation behavioural assays - either independently or in partnership with colleagues specialising in these techniques.

We seek a motivated, ambitious researcher with a strong background in cellular neurophysiology and clear interest in the lab's research program.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative laboratory committed to rigorous, innovative research and to fostering professional development of its members. We provide funding and logistical support for conferences and workshops, guidance on independent fellowship applications, and ongoing career mentorship. You will work within a multidisciplinary team interacting regularly with other neuroscience groups in the Department and collaborate with both in-house experimentalists and external engineers and computational neuroscientists. The Department's seminars, along with events hosted by the Cambridge Neuroscience Network, will enrich your experience through further scientific exchange and networking.

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

Applications should include a cover letter highlighting your motivation for joining the lab, how your skills align with the project and your research ambitions and career goals. Please also provide a detailed CV and the names and addresses of two academic referees.

The position is available from 15 July 2025 for for an initial three-year term; precise start date is negotiable.

The closing date for applications is 9th June 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position may close early once filled.

For informal inquiries, please contact Dr. Sepiedeh Keshavarzi at sk2244@cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference PM45938 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 Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience particularly encourages women and candidates from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background to apply for this vacancy.

Applicants interested in applying for the role that do not currently hold the right to work in the UK may be eligible to be sponsored by the University in order to apply for a visa and the appropriate right to work status. Visa sponsorship is issued at the discretion of the University.

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What makes us human? is the public engagement programme of the Wellcome-funded Human Developmental Biology Initiative (HDBI). HDBI is a human developmental biology consortium of sixteen research groups across seven UK universities/research institutes which aims to deliver fundamental knowledge about human development. Working with HDBI scientists, What makes us human? is providing a culture of engagement and new ways of working allowing the science to anticipate, include and respond to a broad range of societal insights and perspectives. What makes us human? focuses on developing the knowledge, skills and confidence of HDBI scientists and public engagement practitioners through an on-going programme of training and support. It is also developing long-term relationships with stakeholders, delivering specific engagement projects and is committed to on-going external evaluation and refinement of its programme.

We are looking for a part time HDBI public engagement manager who is eager to build on their existing experience to coordinate and deliver this ambitious multi-centre engagement project. The public engagement manager will be based at the Gurdon Institute in Cambridge (www.gurdon.cam.ac.uk) and will work with Dr Emma Rawlins, the HDBI academic lead for public engagement (www.gurdon.cam.ac.uk/research/rawlins; www.hdbi.org/public-engagement).

The HDBI public engagement manager will coordinate a multi-stakeholder Insights Group to inform and improve our research, engagement and communications. They will coordinate a network of public engagement practitioners across the seven institutions of the HDBI and external collaborators/sub-contractors and manage the overall budget to ensure delivery of What makes us human? Working with the Insights group, they will develop and deliver bespoke training activities for all HDBI scientists. Working with the HDBI overall programme manager they will deliver internal and external communications relating to public engagement. Moreover, there will be an opportunity to work closely with HDBI scientists based at the Gurdon Institute to assist with development and delivery of local HDBI engagement activities.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 16 February 2026 in the first instance.

The post is available immediately.

If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact HR@gurdon.cam.ac.uk.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

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

Please quote reference PR45947 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 from an enthusiastic and team-oriented researcher to join the laboratory of Professor Paul Dupree. The Dupree lab https://www.bioc.cam.ac.uk/dupree is internationally recognised as a leading team of researchers in plant cell wall biochemistry. We aim to understand how the biosynthesis and assembly of polysaccharides generates the remarkable plant cell wall that can be strong, and resistant to decay or, when appropriate, able to expand as the cells grow. We apply our discoveries in applications from human and animal dietary fibre, gut microbiome modulation, soil health and synthesis of cellulosic materials to replace petrochemicals in packaging and building construction.

The successful candidate will join a team working to understand the relationship between glucomannan structure and function, in a project selected as an ERC Advanced grant to Prof Dupree, and funded by UKRI.

Candidates should hold a PhD (or be close to completion) in Biochemistry or other relevant field, with a strong background in plant or carbohydrate biochemistry. A proven track record of research productivity and the ability to lead diverse but complementary projects to completion is essential.

Experience in Arabidopsis molecular genetics such as CRISPR/Cas9, molecular biological techniques, protein expression, carbohydrate structural analysis or enzyme assays would be desirable.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available immediately until 30 September 2027 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.

Informal enquiries are welcome to be sent to Professor Dupree: pd101@cam.ac.uk

For queries regarding the application process, please contact: personnel@bioc.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PH45944 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.

Project Title: Characterising clonal dynamics of somatic mutations in vivo for early prediction of carcinogenicity using advanced error corrected next generation sequencing

Supervisor: Dr Alex Cagan

Department: Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge

Industrial Partner: GSK

Somatic mutations drive cancer and may underlie many chronic diseases - yet current safety testing struggles to detect the earliest signals of carcinogenic risk. This PhD project aims to transform how we evaluate the potential for new drugs and chemicals to cause cancer, by tracking somatic mutations and clonal expansions in rodent tissues using cutting-edge, ultra-accurate error-corrected sequencing (ecNGS).

Working at the interface of evolutionary genomics and toxicology, the student will generate high-resolution maps of mutation burden and cancer driver mutation (CDM) dynamics in response to carcinogenic exposure. By integrating new computational and experimental approaches (e.g. Laser capture microdissection and ecNGS), and accessing samples and expertise through GSK's Investigative Toxicology group, the student will help develop a novel framework for early carcinogenicity prediction. This project offers the rare opportunity to translate high-resolution molecular data into practical tools for non-clinical drug safety and regulatory science. This has the potential to revolutionise our ability to detect and understand the carcinogenic impact of chemical compounds.

Based in the Department of Genetics at the University of Cambridge and co-supervised by GSK, the student will receive hands-on training in ecNGS library prep, experimental toxicology, and bioinformatics. The student will also gain experience in working with industry partners, contributing to translational research in regulatory genomics and drug development.

The MRC Integrative Toxicology Training Partnership (ITTP) is a national PhD training programme for capacity building in Toxicology and related disciplines.

The safe development of new drugs, materials, chemicals and consumer products along with the assessment of risk from environmental exposure requires the integration of cutting-edge science with traditional toxicology. The ITTP provides a training platform to enable this and aims to bring together academia, industry and government agencies to provide the required expertise.

ITTP students attend a once yearly residential toxicology training course, have access to the MRC Toxicology Unit's Masterclass seminar series and attend toxicology and laboratory training in their host institutions.

We are looking for a motivated student with a strong background in genomics, molecular biology, or bioinformatics. This interdisciplinary project would suit someone interested in cancer biology, somatic evolution, toxicology, or the development of predictive models of disease. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical and collaborative skills, with the ability to work independently in a supportive research environment.

Full funding is provided for 4 years for UK home-fee eligible students, including: - UKRI stipend (£20,780 per annum for 2025/26) - University fees - £5,000 per year for consumables - £25 per year for society membership

To apply please visit: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/ and click 'Apply Now' selecting the following course:

• PhD in Genetics(Full-time)
• Start Date: 1st October 2025
• Project Supervisor: Dr Alex Cagan
• Project Title: Include title as listed above
• Research Proposal: Include project details as listed above

Applications should include: - Two academic references - Transcript - CV/resume - Evidence of competence in English (If required - you can check using our tool) - Statement of Interest outlining your suitability, why you are interested in a PhD in this area, your background and research interests. - School of Biological Sciences - Widening Participation Questionnaire (applicants are asked to complete an additional form to provide contextual information about their previous study. Find out more about our use of contextual information here: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/contextual-data

Completed applications (with ALL supporting documentation and references) to be submitted via the portal by 23:59pm (midnight) UK time on the 6th June 2025 at the latest. Interviews will be scheduled for the 18th June.

For queries related to this PhD studentship, please contact Dr Alex Cagan email atjc2@cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference PC45937 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 postdoctoral position is available for 12 months in the first instance, with a possible extension, from 1 June 2025, to work with Professor Florian Hollfelder at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge. (https://hollfelder.bioc.cam.ac.uk/). The project is part of the Horizon Europe project BlueTools (https://www.bluetools-project.eu/) and involves collaborations with various EU and UK groups on harnessing marine microbiomes and marine culture collections for novel biocatalysts that may play a role in future sustainable processes with higher resource and energy efficiency.

We will develop ultrahigh throughput assays to screen metagenomic libraries for new catalysts for applications in recycling, bioremediation and green chemistry. Candidate enzymes are mechanistically investigated, structurally characterised and subsequently improved by directed evolution. Ultrahigh-throughput screening in microfluidic picoliter droplets allows us to interrogate enzyme libraries with more than 10 million members experimentally in a day, increasing the chances of success in catalyst discovery.

Applicants should thus have a first (or upper second) class degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a related, relevant subject, followed by a PhD. Familiarity with molecular and chemical biology techniques and specific skills in assay development, enzyme kinetics, DNA library generation, structural biology, organic synthesis, high-throughput screening, mechanistic enzymology, database searching and microfluidic engineering are advantages, as well as postdoctoral experience. Applications should contain a description of research interests as part of the cover letter, a detailed CV (with exam marks and all relevant practical experience) and a list of publications. Please also include the names and email addresses of at least two referees, who are familiar with your research work.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months starting 1st June 2025 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.

Informal enquiries are welcome to be sent to Florian Hollfelder: fh111@cam.ac.uk

For queries regarding the application process, please contact: personnel@bioc.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PH45939 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.