http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/?unit=u00206&format=rss

Two Research Assistant posts are available in the Connectomics Group directed by Greg Jefferis in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge. We have obtained a Wellcome Discovery Award to proofread, annotate, and analyse the first mosquito brain connectome, with a focus on the chemosensory circuits involved in human host-seeking. Applicants will work with electron-microscopy image data, annotate and proofread automatically segmented reconstructions of neurons, develop open source tools for data analysis/processing, and perform neuron morphology, connectivity, graph/circuit analyses etc. to obtain biological insight. A background in neurobiology or a strong quantitative preparation (e.g. in bioinformatics/computer science) will be helpful.

Successful candidates will join a team based in Zoology with 15 team members, carrying out data processing and computational analysis of neuronal reconstruction data. They will interact closely with a similar team in the US as well as experimental groups in Cambridge (Greg Jefferis) and Boston (Meg Younger). Candidates will need to be highly motivated and develop a good understanding of the nature of the data and the scientific aims of the project. This will be critical to setting priorities as the project develops. Close teamwork and a collaborative spirit will be essential, but team members will have increasing opportunities for scientific independence as their expertise develops.

Candidates will report to a team leader based in Zoology and will be mentored by an experienced post-doc. There will be opportunities to contribute to training new team members as the group expands and to general project management, as well as to participate in public engagement activities.

The roles will be based on site in the Department of Zoology.

Interview dates: Interview in Cambridge between 16th and 20th June 2025 (may be conducted remotely under exceptional circumstances).

Fixed-term: The funds for these posts are available for two years, with a possibility of extension subject to project status and funding. available for 2 years in the first instance.

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 PF45916 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.

An exciting new opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Associate has become available within the Bivalve Transmissible Neoplasia Group (www.zoo.cam.ac.uk/btn), a newly-established small, interactive and international research team based at the Department of Zoology, with strong collaborative links with other groups in Cambridge and beyond. The group's research is focused on the genetics and evolution of a recently discovered family of clonally transmissible cancers which affect several species of marine bivalves.

This new position is part of an ERC-funded project examining genome evolution in hundreds of samples from multiple independent marine transmissible cancer clones. The role provides an exciting opportunity to combine single-cell cancer genomics with molecular cytogenetics and statistical modelling to study the causes and consequences of extreme chromosomal instability in these cancers.

The role will involve: - Learning and applying cytogenetic methods for generation and analysis of chromosome imaging data - Developing new methods for inference of copy number alterations from single-cell DNA sequencing data - Analysing patterns of single-cell copy number variation to identify mechanistic signatures of chromosomal instability - Interacting with international experts in molecular cytogenetics, single-cell sequencing, somatic evolution, and comparative cancer genomics - Possible scope for field work involving marine bivalves.

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, passionate about cancer genome biology and somatic evolution, and willing to learn, develop and apply state-of-the-art molecular and computational approaches. They will hold a PhD in a relevant subject, have a solid computational background, and be able to curate, analyse and interpret complex single-cell data sets. Experience in molecular biology, cytogenetics or histopathology is desirable.

Please refer to the Further Particulars for more information.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years, with a possibility of extension subject to project status and funding.

Flexible working requests will be considered.

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 PF45896 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 Research Associate post is available in the Global Coastal Wetlands Research Group directed by Thomas Worthington in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge.

The applicant will work on large-scale understanding of coastal wetlands - primarily mangrove forests and tidal marshes. This will include mapping and modelling of distribution, value, condition, and opportunities for restoration. The work will be highly collaborative, notably with The Nature Conservancy, but also with academic, NGO, and other partners.

The Project's main goal will be to improve our understanding of these ecosystems as a means to support conservation interventions, including protection and restoration. Outputs will inform both international and local interventions, for the benefit of biodiversity and the many stakeholders who benefit from these ecosystems. The successful candidate will have a PhD in a relevant subject such as interdisciplinary ocean science, or ecology and preferably a good understanding of the conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems. The successful candidate will also require strong technical skills in terms of statistical and spatial analyses, and the ability to coordinate and manage large datasets.

The successful candidate will be based in the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI)'s David Attenborough Building in central Cambridge, which provides exceptional opportunities for applied interdisciplinary collaboration. The candidate will have the opportunity develop a large network of research collaborators based at universities and non-governmental organizations. The work is on site.

There will be the potential for the Research Associate to work with researchers based at The Nature Conservancy, contributing to research across different themes, which will include looking across the seascape at the three main coastal wetlands - tidal marshes, mangroves, and seagrasses.

When applying please pay special attention to the personal specifications as these form the basis of the selection process. Please explain clearly how you meet the essential and, where possible, the desirable criteria. Please do not include degree certificates and transcripts, or pdfs of published papers as these will not be reviewed.

Flexible working requests will be considered.

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 PF45834 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.

A Research Associate post is available in the Drosophila Connectomics Group directed by Greg Jefferis and Matthias Landgraf in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge.

The applicant will work with very large volume electron-microscopy Drosophila connectomics data as we approach the end of a £6.7M Wellcome international collaborative award with HHMI Janelia Research Campus, the MRC LMB in Cambridge and the University of Oxford. This project has worked towards production of two synaptic-resolution connectomes for an adult male and female Drosophila central nervous system (brain and nerve cord).

The principal focus will be the development of open source tools for the analysis of connectomics data. This will include developing tools to improve the quality of neuron identification and classification and the modelling of neuron and circuit function. Data sources will be neuronal morphologies, connectivity and computationally inferred or manually annotated metadata and published experimental data. A background in neurobiology, anatomy and a very strong quantitative preparation (with extensive experience in bioinformatics/computer science) will be essential. Prior experience with Drosophila connectomics data is desirable but not essential.

The successful candidate will join a team based in Zoology with 10 team members, carrying out data processing and analysis on computer-assisted neuronal reconstruction data. They will interact closely with a similar team in the US as well as experimental groups especially Greg Jefferis (Cambridge). Candidates will need to be highly motivated and develop a good understanding of the nature of the data and the project's scientific aims. This will be critical to setting priorities. Close teamwork and a collaborative spirit will be essential, but team members will be expected to demonstrate scientific independence matching their technical expertise. There will be opportunities to general project management, as well as to participate in public engagement activities.

Fixed-term: The position is full time, for 6 months. Funds for this post are available until 31st December 2025.

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 PF45663 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 Department of Zoology is internationally recognised for its outstanding teaching and research. Home to a vibrant community of around 260 staff, graduate students, and visiting researchers, our work spans cell and developmental biology, conservation science, and evolutionary genetics.

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our scientific support team, which delivers the highest standard of assistance to our research and teaching laboratories. This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of Zoology's dynamic, collaborative, and welcoming community while playing a key role in our continued success.

The Role

As part of our team, you will help ensure the smooth operation of the department's scientific facilities. This varied and hands-on role includes: - Managing the media and glass washing facility, - Supporting the animal care facilities (aquaria and insect rooms), - Overseeing the tissue culture facility, - Administering departmental service contracts for shared scientific equipment, - Providing support to the Teaching Lab as needed.

About You

You will be a proactive, adaptable, and highly organised individual with: - Experience working in a biological laboratory environment, - Strong communication and teamwork skills, - Excellent attention to detail, - The ability to work independently and make informed decisions, while contributing effectively to a wider team.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop your skills in a world-class academic environment. If you are passionate about supporting cutting-edge research and teaching, we would love to hear from you.

Professional Development & Benefits

We take a proactive approach to personal development, offering tailored training where required for this role. As part of the University of Cambridge, the successful candidate will enjoy the stability of working within a world-leading institution, alongside access to an exceptional range of staff benefits and development opportunities. These include discounts at local and national businesses, as well as educational opportunities available exclusively to University of Cambridge employees.

Working Arrangements

This is a permanent, full-time, on-site position. A key requirement of the role is being part of the additional cover team at weekends, Bank Holidays, and occasionally out-of-hours work. As such, the candidate will need the flexibility to work outside standard hours, when necessary, at times.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Sylviane Moss, Lab and Facilities Manager: smmc2@cam.ac.uk

Please refer to the Further Particulars for this role, and use this as a guideline for your application.

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.

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 PF45576 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.

There is an exciting opportunity to join the Conservation Evidence Research Group as a Research Software Engineer, working alongside conservation and computer scientists. The appointment will be for an initial period of up to 12 months part-time, with the possibility of extension subject to project status and funding , starting as soon as possible. Conservation Evidence collaborates globally across disciplines and sectors to deliver the evidence needs of the conservation community. The group's aim is to ensure that evidence for the effectiveness of conservation actions is easily accessible and embedded within decision making, and we maintain the world's most comprehensive database on what works in conservation: www.conservationevidence.com.

The Research Software Engineer will join an interdisciplinary project and see their technical expertise have real world impacts on nature and biodiversity conservation. The project aims to develop an innovative infrastructure that combines artificial intelligence, namely large language models, and human expertise to transform evidence synthesis, while maintaining academic rigour. The Research Software Engineer will work closely with both conservation science and evidence synthesis experts, as well as computer scientists and be responsible for designing, developing and testing well documented software, maintaining databases, and deploying software in a production environment.

The successful applicant will be a highly skilled software engineer, with demonstrable experience in software development tools (e.g. Git/GitHub), rapid prototyping, basic database administration in a Linux environment, competence in designing, building and maintaining Django applications, familiarity building front ends in HTML, and good knowledge of programming languages such as JavaScript, HTML, SQL, Python (or similar). They will also demonstrate good problem-solving skills and enjoy working collaboratively to find innovative solutions that deliver on the needs of the project and wider team.

The role will be based on site in the departments of Zoology and Computer Science, with hybrid working arrangements possible.

Informal enquiries or requests to arrange a visit to Zoology to discuss this position are welcomed and should be directed to Dr Sam Reynolds (sar87@cam.ac.uk).

Please upload a copy of your CV (maximum 2 sides of A4) and a covering letter (maximum 1 side of A4).

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for up to 12 months in the first instance.

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 PF45321 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 two years.

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.

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 PF43587 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.