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We have a very special concert on the third Anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, performed by the Wind Serenaders, conducted by Laurence Perkins, with works by Bach and Mozart, in of UK-MED and Music Action International for survivors from Ukraine, Gaza and other areas of conflict in the world.

Join The Wo+Men’s Leadership Centre at Cambridge Judge Business School for ‘Accelerating Action through Allyship’ a fireside chat and networking.

Is there life 'out there'? Join us for an evening talk with science writer Wallace Arthur

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD: £28,738.00 (Subject to change)

A three-year Senior Clinical Training Scholarship in Small Animal Medicine (Residency) is available, to start on 11 August 2025. The training programme covers all aspects of small animal medicine, including cardiology, oncology, medical neurology, diagnostic imaging and clinical pathology, and is approved by the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

The Scholar will register for the Diploma of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. The training programme requires participation in the Department's clinical service, including the out-of-hours rota, in addition to small-group teaching of veterinary students.

An applicant must be a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, or hold a veterinary degree that qualifies them for membership. Completion of an appropriate internship or a minimum of two years' experience in small animal practice, during which you have gained knowledge of UK veterinary regulations and practices, is essential.

Closing date for applications: Midnight on Monday, 10 February 2025.

Interviews will be held early April 2025.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Nick Bexfield, Clinical Director of Small Animal Services, by email: nb289@cam.ac.uk

A SCTS application form (SCTS1) and information pack can be downloaded from the following website: https://www.vet.cam.ac.uk/job

Applicants should supply a completed SCTS Application Form (SCTS1), Curriculum Vitae and Covering Letter giving reasons for wishing to undertake this SCTS in the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge.

Applications should be submitted via e-mail to vetmed@vet.cam.ac.uk with the above documents as one attachment no later than the closing date stated.

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

Please note: The ability to take up this Scholarship is contingent upon you being able to evidence your right to work in the UK, or through gaining the right to work via the UK immigration system. Evidence will need to be provided before an offer can be made. Regrettably, this Scholarship is not suitable for sponsorship via the Skilled Worker or Temporary Worker visa routes as the minimum requirements cannot be met.

Some efforts to preserve or rewild natural habitats are shifting harmful land use to other parts of the world – and this could drive an even steeper decline in the planet’s species, according to a team of conservation scientists and economists led by the University of Cambridge.   

Researchers from over a dozen institutions worldwide have come together to call on the global community to acknowledge the “biodiversity leak”: the displacement of nature-damaging human activities caused by ringfencing certain areas for protection or restoration.

They argue that rewilding productive farmland or forestry in industrialised nations that have low levels of biodiversity may do more harm than good on a planetary scale.

Exploratory analysis by the team suggests that reclaiming typical UK cropland for nature may be five times more damaging for global biodiversity than the benefit it provides local species, due to the displacement of production to more biodiverse regions.   

While this “leakage” has been known about for decades, it is largely neglected in biodiversity conservation, say the researchers. They argue it undermines actions ranging from establishing new nature reserves to the EU’s environmental policies.

Writing in the journal Science, the experts point out that even the UN’s landmark Global Biodiversity Framework – aiming for 30% of the world’s land and seas to be conserved – makes no mention of the leakage problem.

“As nations in temperate regions such as Europe conserve more land, the resulting shortfalls in food and wood production will have to be made up somewhere,” said Prof Andrew Balmford, from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Zoology. 

“Much of this is likely to happen in more biodiverse but often less well-regulated parts of the world, such as Africa and South America. Areas of much greater importance for nature are likely to pay the price for conservation efforts in wealthy nations unless we work to fix this leak.”

“The first thing we need to do is collectively acknowledge that these leaks exist,” said co-author Prof Brendan Fisher from the University of Vermont. “If protesting a logging concession in the US increases demand for pulp from the tropics, then we are unlikely to be helping biodiversity.”

Co-author Dr Ben Balmford of the University of Exeter said: “This issue demands far greater attention from a sector that seeks to shape how 30% of an ever hungrier and more connected planet is managed.”

‘Leakage’ is already a major issue for carbon credits tied to forest preservation, say researchers. But they argue it’s a real problem for biodiversity conservation efforts too.

While protected areas can slow deforestation inside their borders, there’s evidence it can simply shift to neighbouring areas. Production can also be displaced much further. Efforts to protect the Pacific Northwest’s old-growth forests resulted in increased logging in other North American regions, for example.

Yet a survey of site managers of tropical conservation projects conducted by the Cambridge team found that 37% had not come across the concept of leakage, and less than half of the projects were attempting to curb any displacement damage.*

The researchers explored how leakage caused by protected areas could affect global biodiversity by applying real-world food and biodiversity data to two hypothetical conservation projects.

They found that rewilding a sizeable area of Brazilian soybean farms would push production to nations such as Argentina and USA, but because Brazil is so important for biodiversity, the local conservation gains could be around five times greater than the displacement harms.

The opposite would be true if the equivalent area of UK arable farmland was reclaimed for nature. Here, production would be displaced to Australia, Germany, Italy and Ukraine.**

As the UK has fewer species than these other countries, damage from ‘leakage’ could be five times greater than the local benefit to British biodiversity. 

The experts offer a number of ways to help plug the biodiversity leak. They call on governments and the conservation sector to take leakage far more seriously when making environmental policy at national and global level.

They also point out that leakage could be reduced if conservation projects work with others to reduce demand – especially for high-footprint commodities such as red meat.

There’s scope to limit leakage by targeting conservation to areas high in biodiversity but where current or potential production of food or timber is limited, say researchers. One example is restoring abandoned tropical shrimp farms to mangroves.

However, we should also be much more cautious about restoring natural habitats on currently productive farmland in less biodiverse parts of the world, they argue.

Beyond planning where to conserve, major conservation initiatives should work with partners in other sectors to support local farmers, so that overall levels of production are maintained in the region despite protected areas. The team cite examples ranging from forest-friendly chocolate to herding practices that protect snow leopards.

Where local yield increases are difficult, larger-scale programmes could establish long-range partnerships with suppliers in the same markets to make up shortfalls in production.

“Without attention and action, there is a real risk that the biodiversity leak will undermine hard-won conservation victories,” said co-author Dr Fiona Sanderson of the Royal Society for Protection of Birds, who works on reducing the impacts of cocoa production in Sierra Leone.

Lead author from Cambridge, Prof Andrew Balmford, added: “At its worst, we could see some conservation actions cause net global harm by displacing production to regions which are much more significant for biodiversity.” 

*Survey of 100 practitioners involved in area-based tropical conservation projects, including directors, managers, coordinators, and researchers. Respondents came from 36 countries across all five continents. Further details: https://zenodo.org/records/14780198

** Two hypothetical habitat restoration programs covering 1000km2 of Brazilian soy-producing land, and restoring 1000km2 of arable farmland in the UK that produces wheat, barley and oilseed rape.

Researchers call on the international community to recognise and start tackling the “biodiversity leak”. 

Areas of much greater importance for nature are likely to pay the price for conservation efforts in wealthy nations unless we work to fix this leakAndrew BalmfordMichael Duff, © RSPB-images.comThe Gola Rainforest Project in Sierra Leone. This conservation project has limited leakage while slowing deforestation by supporting nearby farmers such as Mallo Samah to increase their yields and get higher prices for their cocoa.

The text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Images, including our videos, are Copyright ©University of Cambridge and licensors/contributors as identified. All rights reserved. We make our image and video content available in a number of ways – on our main website under its Terms and conditions, and on a range of channels including social media that permit your use and sharing of our content under their respective Terms.

Yes

As part of a collaboration with the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate or Research Assistant (with an Undergraduate level degree as a minimum) to join the laboratory of Professor Elizabeth Soilleux on a newly funded, exciting CRUK-funded project, developing and validating a new diagnostic test for T-cell lymphoma. The test is likely to be adopted into clinical practice during the later stages of the 3-year project.

This 3-year role focuses on careful validation of tissue-based staining and provides an opportunity to interface with and understand clinical services and healthcare challenges. It provides opportunities to learn about tissue morphology, as well as gaining experience in automated and manual tissue handling and staining processes, primarily using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and high sensitivity in situ hybridisation. Corroborative approaches using cell culture and molecular techniques will also be important.

There will be opportunities to present data at conferences and to write both primary research and review papers. The successful applicant will be expected to provide singlehanded or collaborative supervision to undergraduate students and Masters students, within a supportive and collegial laboratory environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Cell culture
• Molecular biology (nucleic acid extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, Q-PCR).
• Collating and clinicopathologically annotating cohorts of patient biopsy samples, in collaboration with clinical colleagues, as needed.
• Automated (and occasionally) manual staining by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridisation and immunofluorescence.
• Ensuring compliance of the laboratory with Human Tissue Act (England and Wales, 2004).
• Providing Human Tissue Act training and mentorship to other laboratory members, principally students.
• Liaising with industrial and academic collaborators, both nationally and internationally.
• Supervising or co-supervising student projects, as appropriate.

Essential Requirements:

• A Relevant Undergraduate Degree (Appointment at Research Assistant Level).
• Strong molecular biology skills, including nucleic acid extraction and PCR.
• A willingness to work with a broad range of academic, clinical and industrial collaborators.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Desirable:

• Experience in training or mentoring students or other laboratory members.
• A strong track record in writing manuscripts for publication.
• PhD (or equivalent experience) in spatial imaging, tissue-based research approaches (including immunohistochemistry/ in situ hybridisation) or molecular biology (Essential for appointment at Research Associate Level).
• A Masters Degree

Please read attached further particulars document for more information.

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. Those with equivalent experience to a PhD, but who have not undertaken or not yet completed a doctoral qualification will be eligible to be appointed at Research Assistant level.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register for an account with our recruitment system and apply online.

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 Professor Elizabeth Soilleux : ejs17@cam.ac.uk

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

Please quote reference PK45055 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 the group of Dr Erik Clark at the Department of Genetics in central Cambridge. We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic individual to join a small interdisciplinary team investigating the robust patterning of the early Drosophila embryo. The role will involve developing and applying cutting-edge imaging approaches in Drosophila and Tribolium embryos, plus computational analysis of the resulting data.

Your primary responsibility will be to establish and optimise new techniques in the lab, including live imaging of gene expression in Drosophila embryos and multiplexed fixed imaging of gene expression in Tribolium embryos. Significant previous experience with Drosophila and Tribolium husbandry, advanced imaging, and image analysis is essential for the role. Experience with CRISPR/Cas9 would also be helpful.

The context of the project is the evolution of anteroposterior patterning networks across insects. A background in and enthusiasm for insect evolutionary developmental biology is highly desirable for the role.

The role will involve independently leading your own project while teaching and learning from other lab members and external collaborators. A friendly, collaborative attitude and good organisational and communication skills are essential.

Suitable applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant scientific discipline. They should be able to demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of relevant wet-lab, imaging, and computational techniques, and be confident in delivering training in these techniques to other lab members. They should also have experience in presenting research to different audiences, contributing to publications, and helping to lead group discussions.

The position is fixed term for a period of 18 months in the first instance and is available from 1st April 2025.

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 role are welcome and should be directed to Dr Erik Clark ec491@cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PC45080 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 assistant position is available in the Luginbuehl group funded by the ERC Starting Grant "Harnessing mechanisms for plant carbon delivery to symbiotic soil fungi for sustainable food production". This project explores carbon transfer in the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis with the aim to optimize symbiotic nutrient exchange in the model crop rice. The post is available at 50% for two years in the first instance, with the possibility of further extension.

The successful candidate will work closely with other members of the team. The candidate will generate stable transformants of rice and other plant species and will be involved in plant management and maintenance as well as molecular biology experiments.

Preferred start date: 1st April 2025.

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.

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 PD45058 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.

Join us for the first event in this new series, hosted by the Master of Churchill College Prof. Sharon Peacock, as she delves into 'Churchill’s D-Day: The Inside Story' with co-authors Allen Packwood, Director of Churchill Archives Centre and General Lord Richard Dannatt, a former Chief of the General Staff and member of the House of Lords. '

An event which brings together bestselling authors Dan Jones, Helen Castor, Helen Carr, Caroline Burt and Richard Partington together in conversation discussing their recent books as well as the process of writing history and all things medieval.

Join us for a wonderful concert with music by Walton, Elgar and Vaughan Williams

Cambridge’s finest classical musicians come together to celebrate the legacy of the great composer Shostakovich on the 50th anniversary of his death through a weekend of concerts (21-23 February) and talks.

A weekend of concerts and events (28 February - 2 March) celebrating Cambridge's thriving music scene from around the world

The Department of Genetics is one of 13 departments within the School of Biological Sciences. The main building of the Genetics Department is home to 22 research groups, 117 staff and 30-40 undergraduate students, and comprises laboratories, teaching classrooms, offices and support facilities on 4 floors. The Genetics Department teaches at all levels of undergraduate education and provides input to many undergraduate courses. The successful applicant will be part of the professional support staff team and be responsible for providing technical support for teaching activities across the Department.

We are looking for a proactive and responsible Technician who is confident working with different research groups and leading the organisation and provision of resources for laboratory based practical teaching classes. The ideal applicant will have practical experience of supporting biological research with a high degree of accuracy and be able to demonstrate knowledge of the principles, processes and general concepts related to Laboratory Technician work.

A key element of the role supports staff across the Department by monitoring the stock of consumables, ordering replacements and assisting with the maintenance of laboratory equipment. The role holder will be responsible for purchasing laboratory consumables and minor equipment to an agreed budget by placing orders through the University's financial system (CUFS), checking supplies and specifications with end users, resolving issues with suppliers and requesting quotes.

As this role interacts with academics, research staff and students, strong communication skills are essential with an aptitude for identifying technical support needs and resolving problems quickly. The role holder will also support our Department Safety Officer to ensure that health and safety procedures are observed at all times.

The role is based in the Department of Genetics but requires some movement between other local Departments when setting up practical classes in shared teaching facilities. Therefore, short periods of physically strenuous activity will also be required.

The position is offered on a permanent basis, subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probation period. This is a part-time role working 22 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

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 Amie Baker, aew47@cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PC45063 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.

Supervisors: Anne E. Willis and Ritwick Sawarkar (MRC Toxicology Unit), Giandomenico Turchiano and Roberto Nitsch (AstraZeneca)

PhD Studentship: Enhancing Genome Editing Efficiency and Stability through Analysis of DNA Mobility Post-Double Strand Breaks

Applications are invited for a 3.5 year PhD studentship based within the MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, with extended industry experience at AstraZeneca (Cambridge, UK). The student will be working on a collaborative project jointly supervised by Anne E. Willis and Ritwick Sawarkar (MRC Toxicology Unit), Giandomenico Turchiano and Roberto Nitsch (AstraZeneca).

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to undertake a combined experimental/computational project on CRISPR/ Cas9-related therapeutics using human models. This is a mixed wet/dry lab project combining human cell genomics, microscopy and sequencing-based approaches. The purpose of the studentship is to apply molecular cell biology approaches to (i) understand mechanisms of CRISPR off-targets and (ii) advance the scientific understanding of DNA mobility post-double strand breaks.

This studentship offers a unique training opportunity for engagement with leading academic and industry partners to understand the mechanism by which CRISPR therapeutics may cause genomics off-targeting. Rotating between laboratories at the University of Cambridge and AstraZeneca the student will gain experience in a breadth of experimental and analytical techniques, including: molecular biology, cell culture, microscopic assays, DNA sequencing, and statistical data analyses.

Applicants should have or shortly expect to obtain a first or good upper second-class degree from a UK university, or an equivalent standard from an overseas university, in a relevant subject such as Biomedical Science. Strong analytical skills, in addition to creativity, curiosity, enthusiasm, and the ability to work in a team are essential.

This studentship is open to UK citizens or overseas students who meet the UK residency requirements (home fees) or are able to augment the funds to cover the extra costs associated with international student fees. Full details of the University's entrance requirements are specified here: http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/application-process/entry-requirements.

REFERENCES: 1) 1. Turchiano et al. Quantitative evaluation of chromosomal rearrangements in gene-edited human stem cells by CAST-Seq. Cell Stem Cell 2021 2) Selvaraj et al. High-efficiency transgene integration by homology-directed repair in human primary cells using DNA-PKcs inhibition. Nat. Biotech. 2024

All formal applications will need to be made through the University Application Portal: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/bltopdtox

Your online application must include a CV (including full details of all University course grades to date), contact details for two academic or professional referees and a personal statement of interest.

Full funding covering Maintenance and the University Composition Fee (Home Fee rate) is provided for the studentship, with effect from 1 October 2025.

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact hradmin@mrc-tox.cam.ac.uk

Further information can be found on our website: https://www.mrc-tox.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.

The Microscopy Bioscience Platform in the School of Biological Sciences is recruiting for an enthusiastic microscopy technician to join the Electron Microscopy team. The facility provides advanced imaging services, currently serving over 100 research groups in the University as well as external, commercial users. At present the centre has an FEI Verios 460 SEM and Tecnai G2 TEM with associated sample preparation equipment. This role will provide essential support to improve research throughput of our state-of the-art EM facility. The role holder will be responsible for assisting the Electron Microscopy Specialist and Lead Electron Microscopist in the delivery of a professional and comprehensive EM service. This will include all aspects of project design, from initial discussion of methodology, to sample preparation, imaging and data interpretation.

The role holder will work closely with the senior members of the team in order to achieve the platform's aims of providing access to advanced imaging capabilities in a sustainable environment through efficient cost recovery. This role requires a real enthusiasm for electron microscopy and would be ideal for someone who wishes to develop their microscopy skills with the guidance of our expert EM staff.

You should have practical experience of biological scientific research work, a high degree of precision in following protocols and excellent communication skills. Please refer to the further particulars document for a full list of the essential knowledge, skills and experience required for the role.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be addressed to Filomena Gallo, fg337@cam.ac.uk.

Limited funding: The funds for this post are available for 4 years in the first instance.

Apply

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

On the online form, in the suitability for the role section, you should explain the reasons for your application and how your knowledge, skills and experience match the requirements of the role. The full contact details for two professional referees should be provided, one of whom should be your current line manager. Please note that we will assume that you are happy for us to approach your referees at any stage, unless you indicate otherwise in the space provided on the form.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 14 March 2025. Interviews will take place w/c 6th April 2025.

Please quote reference PM45033 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.

Remote sensing of fire effects on soil organic carbon

Wildfire occurrence and severity are known to be influenced by ecosystem hydrology, with peatland fires depending on soil moisture. Recent work has demonstrated the large impact of wildfires on soil drying, which can have implications for further wildfires and long-term carbon fluxes from peatlands.

This postdoctoral research associate post will use remote sensing data to assess wildfire occurrence, severity and ecosystem recovery, combined with remote sensing of soil moisture and plant water content.

The post will initially be for 9 months with the possibility of a 15-month extension. It will be based in Cambridge but allow for travel to Stanford University in California to collaborate with other researchers, Prof. Alexandra Konings, and spend time with Adam Pellegrini's Stanford-based lab. Collaborations at Cambridge will include Prof. David Edwards.

Skills required: extensive Python/R experience evaluating remote sensing datasets at the global scale. Familiarity with MODIS, SMAP, VOD and other products evaluating ecosystem water content and wildfires. Familiarity with peatland distribution maps and carbon fluxes.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 9 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 PD45057 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.

People are at the heart of everything we do at Pathology, so why not join our Central Services Domestic team as a Domestic Assistant (Part-Time). We can offer a welcoming work environment where you can feel valued, encouraged to develop, and supported to achieve your full potential.

You will support the Domestic Team in undertaking cleaning and portering services at the Downing Site of the Department of Pathology which will include cleaning laboratories, the library, toilets, the canteen and common room/areas to maintain the appearance of the Department to a high standard.

Ideally you will have some relevant experience of laboratory or office cleaning, although an aptitude for this type of work is more important as full training will be provided. Good communication skills with the ability to follow written and verbal instructions, particularly regarding the safe use of chemicals, the ability to prioritise your workload with the minimum of supervision and to work both independently and as part of a team are essential. Please see attached Further Particulars document.

What we Offer

*Our Professional Services staff play a fundamental role in the School's academic vision of the pursuit of education and research at the highest levels of excellence. The University of Cambridge offers excellent benefits, extensive opportunities in a stimulating environment.

*The University salary structure includes automatic service-related pay progression in many of its grades and an annual cost of living increase. In addition to this, employees are rewarded for outstanding contribution through a number of regular pay progression schemes. Staff also benefit from a generous annual leave entitlement.

*The University offers employees a wide range of competitive benefits, from health care cash plans to childcare, a cycle to work scheme, to shopping and insurance discounts.

*University-led initiatives in the areas of equality, diversity and wellbeing include staff and students networks. These include the Women's Staff Network, the Disabled Staff Network, the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Staff Network, Parents and Carers and the LGBT+ Network. We also hold a wide range of Equality and Diversity events on a regular basis.

*Wellbeing at Cambridge is a University-wide initiative aiming at supporting and maximising the health and wellbeing of staff. It encompasses a network of Wellbeing Advocates, who provide guidance and general signposting about wellbeing issues, including mental or physical health and Dignity @ Work concerns.

*The University offer a range of family-friendly policies, including maternity, adoption and shared parental leave. In addition, workplace nurseries, childcare vouchers, a childcare salary sacrifice scheme and a high-quality holiday play scheme are available to help support University employees with caring responsibilities.

Contact Caius Liu for an informal chat on cl870@cam.ac.uk and check out our website: https://www.path.cam.ac.uk/

Temporary cover: This post is fixed-term to cover Maternity Leave for 12 months or until the return of the post holder, whichever is the earlier.

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

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.

Any informal queries regarding this position should be directed to Mr Caius Liu (Facilities Manager) : cl870@cam.ac.uk

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

Please quote reference PK45031 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 opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Associate has emerged within the Department of Pathology's Ferguson Laboratory. The successful applicant will join a three-year research project, defining cellular and molecular details of how viruses are detected by the human innate immune system. You will be primarily working in the lab of Dr Brian Ferguson whilst also working in collaboration with structural biologists in the Chaplin Lab (University of Leicester) and clinical researchers in the Thomas Lab (CIITID, Cambridge). We provide a supportive research environment that focuses on research excellence, integrity, and respect.

Further information about the Ferguson Lab is available here: www.fergusonlab.path.cam.ac.uk

Role Overview

The successful applicant will use cellular, molecular and biochemical tools to understand how DNA viruses are sensed by the innate immune system. We are particularly interested in defining how the DNA repair machinery interfaces with viral nucleic acid sensing and how DNA viruses combat these processes using immunomodulatory proteins.

Key focuses of the project will be in determining the molecular complexes that are formed during infection and DNA damage, which are responsible for initiating an antiviral response. This project also aims as to understand how different DNA virus families counter these host innate immune sensing mechanisms. Approaches taken to answer these questions will include CRISPR engineering of mammalian cells, proteomics, transcriptomics, virus engineering and defining intracellular signalling mechanisms following receptor stimulation and/or infection.

Key Responsibilities

*Production and analysis of recombinant DNA viruses

*Development of engineered cell lines for signalling complex analysis

*Investigation of cell signalling processes

*Analysis of proteomic and transcriptomic datasets

*Driving collaborations with collaborative (structural and clinical) labs

*High quality record keeping

*Presentation of data at local and international meetings

The successful candidate must have (or be close to submitting) a PhD in Virology, Immunology or Cell Signalling. Those who have not yet submitted would be appointed at Research Assistant level, which would be amended to Research Associate upon submission. The successful applicant will also be proficient in cell biology or molecular virology (please check Further particulars document attached).

Ideally, successful applicant will have an interest in innate immunity, experience in proteomics, have experience with CRISPR engineering of mammalian cells and/or have specific experience with poxviruses or adenoviruses.

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 Brian Ferguson : bf234@cam.ac.uk

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

Please quote reference PK45022 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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