Research Assistant (Two Posts) - Neural Circuits of Spatial Orientation (Fixed Term)
Applications are invited for two Research Assistant positions in Dr. Keshavarzi's lab at the University of Cambridge, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience. The lab's research, funded by the Wellcome Trust, focuses on the organisation and function of neural circuits underlying the sense of direction and self-motion, using mice. For more details, please visit the lab website https://www.keshavarzilab.com/. Projects
The two positions focus on distinct aspects of the lab's research, with opportunities for collaboration for candidates with overlapping skills and interests:
1. Neural Circuit Organisation in the Head Direction System: This project investigates the organisation of neural circuits in the head direction system, focusing on the retrosplenial cortex and its connections with cortical and thalamic areas. Techniques include patch-clamp recordings in brain slices, optogenetics, and neural tracing. Candidates may also participate in in vivo methods and behavioural experiments to connect circuit structure and function, particularly if pursuing a PhD in the lab.
2. Development and Testing of Behavioural Analysis Software: This project focuses on testing an open-source software, movement (https://movement.neuroinformatics.dev/index.html in collaboration with neuroinformaticians), for analysing animal behaviour. Responsibilities include evaluating movement and related tools and contributing to its publication. Strong programming skills (ideally Python) are required. Additional responsibilities involve maintaining the lab's behavioural acquisition software (Bonsai-based), with collaborator support. The role also offers opportunities to gain experimental skills, including behavioural training, surgical procedures, and in vivo electrophysiology (Neuropixels), ideal for transitioning into a research project and pursuing a PhD in the lab.
Both positions are suited for candidates seeking long-term commitment, with potential for extension and PhD application with the lab. Exceptional candidates may receive lab-funded PhD support.
Key Experience and Competencies
We are seeking two self-motivated individuals with experience in cellular neurophysiology or circuit/systems neuroscience research.
Essential Qualifications:
- Experienced in either Slice patch-clamp recording and data analysis (Position 1), or programming (Python, MATLAB) for data acquisition and analysis (Position 2).
- Undergraduate or master's degree in Neuroscience or a related field with evidence of academic excellence.
- Strong communication skills in English.
Desirable Skills:
- Experience with optogenetics, stereotactic surgery, quantitative animal behaviour, neural recording techniques.
- Expertise in building custom experimental setups.
Research Environment
Our lab fosters a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive research environment. We are committed to the career development of lab members and provide mentorship throughout their journey. The research assistants will join a vibrant multidisciplinary research environment, with regular interactions with other neuroscience groups in the department. Regular departmental seminars and events hosted by the Cambridge Neuroscience Network offer excellent opportunities for networking and scientific discussion.
How to Apply
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Please submit the following documents:
- A CV, including overall grades for each degree.
- A cover letter addressing: Your motivation for joining the lab. How your skills align with the job description. Your research ambitions and career goals.
- Contact details for two referees.
For informal inquiries, contact Dr. Keshavarzi at sk2244@cam.ac.uk.
Closing Date: 21 February 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position may close early once filled.
Start Date: Available from March 2025 for one year in the first instance.
Please quote reference PM44821 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 particularly welcomes applications from candidates from Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic backgrounds.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
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Research Associate (Fixed Term)
The Cardona Lab are pleased to invite applications for the position of Research Associate in the Experimental and Comparative Connectomics Laboratory. The primary purpose of the role is to support the research of Dr Albert Cardona, whose lab is interested in the neural circuit basis of behaviour. For details of recent projects in the lab, see https://tinyurl.com/cardonalabpubs . For a description of the lab's focus see https://www.pdn.cam.ac.uk/directory/albert-cardona.
The post holder will have a neuroscience background, with a Ph.D. in Neurobiology or related discipline, with extensive experience with patch-clamp recording of Drosophila larval neurons, ideally in mushroom body output neurons and dopaminergic neurons. The ideal candidate will also have ample experience with optogenetics and functional connectivity mapping in Drosophila, including experience with Drosophila genetics and its driver lines approach to monitoring and manipulating neuronal activity in individual neurons, as well as excellent data analysis skills, and experience with learning and memory paradigms in Drosophila.
Fixed Term: the funds for this post are available until 31 December 2025.
Informal enquiries about the position can be made to Dr Albert Cardona (ac2040@cam.ac.uk).
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 covering 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 closing date for applications is 5th February.
Please quote reference PM44798 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.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
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2025-02-20 17:00 - Under the Sea: A Twilight Event
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2025-02-19 16:30 - Twilight at the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences: Night-time Explorers
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2025-02-17 18:00 - Twilight at Great St Mary's Church
2025-02-18 15:00 - Twilight with the Fitzwilliam Museum
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Research Laboratory Technician (Fixed Term)
Applications are invited for the position of Research Laboratory Technician at the Sainsbury Laboratory. The successful applicant will work in Dr Sebastian Schornack's group: https://www.slcu.cam.ac.uk/research/schornack-group
Previous experience in the following areas is of an advantage: Molecular cloning, light microscopy, plant tissue culture, maintenance of fungal oomycete and bacterial cultures, Image analysis using Fiji and quantification of fungal root colonisation, qPCR, bacterial and fungal infections, RNA extraction, Medicago transformation, statistical analysis using R.
The successful applicant will also present their work during lab meetings and on posters to the wider institute. We also encourage members of the group to engage in the outreach activities of SLCU.
We are looking for someone educated to A-Level, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent who can demonstrate knowledge of the facts, principles, processes and general concepts related to laboratory technician work. The ideal candidate will have a high level of precision and accuracy and good communication skills. They will also have previous experience of laboratory technician/biological scientific research work.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 1 year in the first instance.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Scientific enquiries about the position should be directed to Sebastian Schornack - ss2123@cam.ac.uk
For questions regarding the application process, please email HR@slcu.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PT44786 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.
Shared Facilities Manager
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Facilities Manager to join our busy operations team which manage building, equipment and centralised activities in support of existing and upcoming research in the Institute. Recently, the Gurdon Institute has refocused its research direction, creating a Human Developmental Biology Hub within the School of Biological Sciences. This shift brings exciting new scientific talent to our community, and we need an enthusiastic, motivated individual to help integrate these groups and support their cutting-edge work.
As Shared Facilities Manager, you will: -Lead and oversee our shared tissue culture facilities and core scientific equipment with responsibility for procuring equipment and maintenance/service agreements. -Provide essential support for centralised activities and help maintain our research infrastructure. -Liaise with research groups, fostering collaboration and ensuring our researchers have the tools they need to excel. -Work as part of a small facilities team within a wider team of professional staff. You are: -Educated to degree level or equivalent, with extensive tissue culture experience. -A problem-solver who is adaptable, flexible, and responsive to the evolving needs of a dynamic research environment. -A team player with the confidence to ask questions, help out and take the lead when needed. -Knowledgeable and curious, familiar with biological research equipment and eager to master new technologies. -Familiar with health and safety regulations. -A natural communicator, able to engage with a wide range of professional and research staff, visiting academics and students.
The position is offered on a permanent, full-time basis, though we also welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for slightly less than full time hours. Although there may be flexibility over working hours, the role requires you to work onsite most of the time (Tennis Court Road, central Cambridge).
Why Join Us? This role places you at the centre of our mission, ensuring that as research directions evolve, we remain agile and equipped to support new scientific needs. This is your chance to play a pivotal role in the shaping of a new chapter in the life of this globally renowned institute.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Please quote reference PR44715 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 Dawson Professorship of Young People's Mental Health
The Board of Electors to the Dawson Professorship of Young People's Mental Health invite applications for this Professorship from persons whose work falls within the general field of the Professorship to take up appointment on 1 October 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Candidates will have an outstanding research record of international stature in young people's mental health and the vision, leadership, experience and enthusiasm to lead on mental health science for young people in Cambridge, foster collaboration and promote innovative thinking and practice. They will hold a PhD or equivalent postgraduate qualification.
Standard professorial duties include teaching and research, examining, supervision and administration. The Professor will be based in Cambridge. A competitive salary will be offered.
The post is accompanied by the expectation of accepting a Professorial Fellowship at St Catharine's College.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Further information is available at: http://www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/professorships or contact the Human Resources, University Offices, The Old Schools, Cambridge, CB2 1TT, (email: professorships@admin.cam.ac.uk).
Applications, consisting of a letter of application, a statement of current and future research plans, a curriculum vitae and a publications list, along with details of three referees should be made online no later than 3 March 2025.
Informal enquiries may be directed to Professor Mark Johnson (Head of Department of Psychology and Convenor of Board of Electors): mj492@cam.ac.uk / hodsecretary@psychol.cam.ac.uk.
Please quote reference PJ44770 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.
Museum Events and Bookings Assistant (Fixed Term)
Located in the heart of Cambridge, the Zoology Department is a buzzing and friendly community of researchers, students, and visitors who are passionate about exploring the wonders of the natural world. The Museum of Zoology, part of Department of Zoology, holds a collection of approximately two million specimens covering the entire animal kingdom, past and present, around 5,000 of which are on public display. The collections are designated as being of outstanding national and international significance, and are vitally important for our knowledge of the history of fauna around the world. The Museum is also one of Cambridge's major visitor attractions, welcoming over 100,000 visitors a year. Our public engagement team provides a wide range of opportunities for our visitors and school groups.
We are recruiting a Museum Events and Bookings Assistant, in order to grow the Museum's capacity for corporate hire to raise funds to support our mission. This is an exciting role with varied responsibilities. Working as part of the Operations and Visitor Services team, you will provide support to the Business and Visitor Services Manager with venue hire administration, including liaising with clients during the booking process and attending evening events. You will assist team members with activities such as coordinating group bookings, collating visitor data for reporting purposes and overseeing the implementation of volunteer led Gallery activities. This position also includes working with the Public Engagement team to support the Museum's learning programmes. This will involve assisting with the preparation of public engagement events, including event advertising through the use of social media, and taking responsibility for event ticketing.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and versatile individual who has experience working within a customer focused or event management role. Previous experience in a museum setting is desirable but not essential. This role requires excellent communication skills, and a desire to inform, enthuse and motivate others. You should be a good team player, and with strong organisational skills you will be accustomed to working to targets and deadlines. This position could be your chance to kick-start your career in either the museum or events sector, and contribute to the success of the Museum of Zoology. So, what are you waiting for? Join us now and make a difference!
The successful applicant will have access to a broad range of staff benefits and personal development opportunities including discounts at a wide range of local and national businesses and educational opportunities available exclusively to University of Cambridge employees.
You will be required to work on site and the appointment is offered on a fixed term (3 years), full time basis. Working hours include a full day (9am-5pm/7hrs) on Saturdays as part of the normal working week, and four weekdays. with weekday working pattern to be agreed. The role also requires regular evening working.
If you are interested in this role please contact Lisa Sneath, Business and Visitor Services Manager, ls761@cam.ac.uk for an informal discussion of the role.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years.
Please note: The University is unable to issue sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Visa route for this role as it does not meet the minimum salary requirements.
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 security check.
Flexible working requests will be considered.
We particularly welcome applications from 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 PF44765 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.