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A major review of over 67,000 animal species has found that while the natural world continues to face a biodiversity crisis, targeted conservation efforts are helping bring many species back from the brink of extinction.

Using advanced analysis based on full genome sequences, researchers from the University of Cambridge have found evidence that modern humans are the result of a genetic mixing event between two ancient populations that diverged around 1.5 million years ago. About 300,000 years ago, these groups came back together, with one group contributing 80% of the genetic makeup of modern humans and the other contributing 20%.

For the last two decades, the prevailing view in human evolutionary genetics has been that Homo sapiens first appeared in Africa around 200,000 to 300,000 years ago, and descended from a single lineage. However, these latest results, reported in the journal Nature Genetics, suggest a more complex story.

“The question of where we come from is one that has fascinated humans for centuries,” said first author Dr Trevor Cousins from Cambridge’s Department of Genetics. “For a long time, it’s been assumed that we evolved from a single continuous ancestral lineage, but the exact details of our origins are uncertain.”

“Our research shows clear signs that our evolutionary origins are more complex, involving different groups that developed separately for more than a million years, then came back to form the modern human species,” said co-author Professor Richard Durbin, also from the Department of Genetics.

While earlier research has already shown that Neanderthals and Denisovans – two now-extinct human relatives – interbred with Homo sapiens around 50,000 years ago, this new research suggests that long before those interactions – around 300,000 years ago – a much more substantial genetic mixing took place. Unlike Neanderthal DNA, which makes up roughly 2% of the genome of non-African modern humans, this ancient mixing event contributed as much as 10 times that amount and is found in all modern humans.

The team’s method relied on analysing modern human DNA, rather than extracting genetic material from ancient bones, and enabled them to infer the presence of ancestral populations that may have otherwise left no physical trace. The data used in the study is from the 1000 Genomes Project, a global initiative that sequenced DNA from populations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

The team developed a computational algorithm called cobraa that models how ancient human populations split apart and later merged back together. They tested the algorithm using simulated data and applied it to real human genetic data from the 1000 Genomes Project.

While the researchers were able to identify these two ancestral populations, they also identified some striking changes that happened after the two populations initially broke apart.

“Immediately after the two ancestral populations split, we see a severe bottleneck in one of them—suggesting it shrank to a very small size before slowly growing over a period of one million years,” said co-author Professor Aylwyn Scally, also from the Department of Genetics. “This population would later contribute about 80% of the genetic material of modern humans, and also seems to have been the ancestral population from which Neanderthals and Denisovans diverged.”

The study also found that genes inherited from the second population were often located away from regions of the genome linked to gene functions, suggesting that they may have been less compatible with the majority genetic background. This hints at a process known as purifying selection, where natural selection removes harmful mutations over time.

“However, some of the genes from the population which contributed a minority of our genetic material, particularly those related to brain function and neural processing, may have played a crucial role in human evolution,” said Cousins.

Beyond human ancestry, the researchers say their method could help to transform how scientists study the evolution of other species. In addition to their analysis of human evolutionary history, they applied the cobraa model to genetic data from bats, dolphins, chimpanzees, and gorillas, finding evidence of ancestral population structure in some but not all of these.

“What’s becoming clear is that the idea of species evolving in clean, distinct lineages is too simplistic,” said Cousins. “Interbreeding and genetic exchange have likely played a major role in the emergence of new species repeatedly across the animal kingdom.”

So who were our mysterious human ancestors? Fossil evidence suggests that species such as Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis lived both in Africa and other regions during this period, making them potential candidates for these ancestral populations, although more research (and perhaps more evidence) will be needed to identify which genetic ancestors corresponded to which fossil group.

Looking ahead, the team hopes to refine their model to account for more gradual genetic exchanges between populations, rather than sharp splits and reunions. They also plan to explore how their findings relate to other discoveries in anthropology, such as fossil evidence from Africa that suggests early humans may have been far more diverse than previously thought.

“The fact that we can reconstruct events from hundreds of thousands or millions of years ago just by looking at DNA today is astonishing,” said Scally. “And it tells us that our history is far richer and more complex than we imagined.”

The research was supported by Wellcome. Aylwyn Scally is a Fellow of Darwin College, Cambridge. Trevor Cousins is a member of Darwin College, Cambridge.

 

Reference:
Trevor Cousins, Aylwyn Scally & Richard Durbin. ‘A structured coalescent model reveals deep ancestral structure shared by all modern humans.’ Nature Genetics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-025-02117-1

Modern humans descended from not one, but at least two ancestral populations that drifted apart and later reconnected, long before modern humans spread across the globe.

Our history is far richer and more complex than we imaginedAylwyn ScallyJose A. Bernat Bacete via Getty ImagesPlaster reconstructions of the skulls of human ancestors

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

Using advanced analysis based on full genome sequences, researchers from the University of Cambridge have found evidence that modern humans are the result of a genetic mixing event between two ancient populations that diverged around 1.5 million years ago. About 300,000 years ago, these groups came back together, with one group contributing 80% of the genetic makeup of modern humans and the other contributing 20%.

For the last two decades, the prevailing view in human evolutionary genetics has been that Homo sapiens first appeared in Africa around 200,000 to 300,000 years ago, and descended from a single lineage. However, these latest results, reported in the journal Nature Genetics, suggest a more complex story.

“The question of where we come from is one that has fascinated humans for centuries,” said first author Dr Trevor Cousins from Cambridge’s Department of Genetics. “For a long time, it’s been assumed that we evolved from a single continuous ancestral lineage, but the exact details of our origins are uncertain.”

“Our research shows clear signs that our evolutionary origins are more complex, involving different groups that developed separately for more than a million years, then came back to form the modern human species,” said co-author Professor Richard Durbin, also from the Department of Genetics.

While earlier research has already shown that Neanderthals and Denisovans – two now-extinct human relatives – interbred with Homo sapiens around 50,000 years ago, this new research suggests that long before those interactions – around 300,000 years ago – a much more substantial genetic mixing took place. Unlike Neanderthal DNA, which makes up roughly 2% of the genome of non-African modern humans, this ancient mixing event contributed as much as 10 times that amount and is found in all modern humans.

The team’s method relied on analysing modern human DNA, rather than extracting genetic material from ancient bones, and enabled them to infer the presence of ancestral populations that may have otherwise left no physical trace. The data used in the study is from the 1000 Genomes Project, a global initiative that sequenced DNA from populations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

The team developed a computational algorithm called cobraa that models how ancient human populations split apart and later merged back together. They tested the algorithm using simulated data and applied it to real human genetic data from the 1000 Genomes Project.

While the researchers were able to identify these two ancestral populations, they also identified some striking changes that happened after the two populations initially broke apart.

“Immediately after the two ancestral populations split, we see a severe bottleneck in one of them—suggesting it shrank to a very small size before slowly growing over a period of one million years,” said co-author Professor Aylwyn Scally, also from the Department of Genetics. “This population would later contribute about 80% of the genetic material of modern humans, and also seems to have been the ancestral population from which Neanderthals and Denisovans diverged.”

The study also found that genes inherited from the second population were often located away from regions of the genome linked to gene functions, suggesting that they may have been less compatible with the majority genetic background. This hints at a process known as purifying selection, where natural selection removes harmful mutations over time.

“However, some of the genes from the population which contributed a minority of our genetic material, particularly those related to brain function and neural processing, may have played a crucial role in human evolution,” said Cousins.

Beyond human ancestry, the researchers say their method could help to transform how scientists study the evolution of other species. In addition to their analysis of human evolutionary history, they applied the cobraa model to genetic data from bats, dolphins, chimpanzees, and gorillas, finding evidence of ancestral population structure in some but not all of these.

“What’s becoming clear is that the idea of species evolving in clean, distinct lineages is too simplistic,” said Cousins. “Interbreeding and genetic exchange have likely played a major role in the emergence of new species repeatedly across the animal kingdom.”

So who were our mysterious human ancestors? Fossil evidence suggests that species such as Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis lived both in Africa and other regions during this period, making them potential candidates for these ancestral populations, although more research (and perhaps more evidence) will be needed to identify which genetic ancestors corresponded to which fossil group.

Looking ahead, the team hopes to refine their model to account for more gradual genetic exchanges between populations, rather than sharp splits and reunions. They also plan to explore how their findings relate to other discoveries in anthropology, such as fossil evidence from Africa that suggests early humans may have been far more diverse than previously thought.

“The fact that we can reconstruct events from hundreds of thousands or millions of years ago just by looking at DNA today is astonishing,” said Scally. “And it tells us that our history is far richer and more complex than we imagined.”

The research was supported by Wellcome. Aylwyn Scally is a Fellow of Darwin College, Cambridge. Trevor Cousins is a member of Darwin College, Cambridge.

 

Reference:
Trevor Cousins, Aylwyn Scally & Richard Durbin. ‘A structured coalescent model reveals deep ancestral structure shared by all modern humans.’ Nature Genetics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-025-02117-1

Modern humans descended from not one, but at least two ancestral populations that drifted apart and later reconnected, long before modern humans spread across the globe.

Our history is far richer and more complex than we imaginedAylwyn ScallyJose A. Bernat Bacete via Getty ImagesPlaster reconstructions of the skulls of human ancestors

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

Applications are invited for a trainee laboratory technician to support the research work in the Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research (Loke CTR), starting in late July 2025. This is an exciting opportunity for somebody passionate about getting started in scientific research to join a vibrant and friendly team of researchers in the heart of Cambridge and work in a state-of-the-art laboratory.

About the role

The role will support the research activities of the groups operating in the Loke CTR shared laboratory space based in the department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience (PDN). There are 6 research groups based permanently in the shared lab space, led by Prof Kathy Niakan, Prof Bill Colledge, Prof Erica Watson, Dr Thorsten Boroviak, Dr Courtney Hanna, and Dr Claire Senner. The role will provide direct support for approximately researchers across these groups, including the Loke CTR Next Generation Fellows.

This is an exciting role with varied responsibilities. You will support our tissue culture facilities, a molecular biology lab, histology preparation room, and placental, endometrial and human embryo shared facility. You will provide laboratory housekeeping to ensure a well-functioning laboratory environment, including performing tissue culture and histology techniques, preparing stock solutions, monitoring and replenishing stocks, and contributing to the health and safety culture of the research groups. You will also provide support for the Biology of the Human Uterus in Pregnancy and Disease Tissue Bank, which is used by Loke CTR researchers across the University with an interest in pregnancy and early development.

The Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research (Loke CTR)

The Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research (Loke CTR) is a centre of excellence to promote scientific study of the placenta, early development and maternal-fetal interactions during pregnancy. The Loke CTR unites 28 group leaders across 10 departments and affiliated institutes and provides diverse opportunities for scientific interaction through events, training and shared state-of-the-art facilities to support world leading trophoblast-related research across Cambridge.

What you will need You should be educated to a minimum of A-level or NVQ level 3 in a biological or other related subject and/or relevant laboratory experience in molecular biology. You should have a good understanding of molecular biology and previous research experience would be an advantage.

Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively within a team are essential. You should have meticulous documentation and note-keeping skills and be able to manage your time and work effectively.

The position is flexible to suit individual needs. We will make an appointment for 1 year in the first instances and welcome applications from candidates interested in full-time work or part-time work for a minimum of 3 days per week. Due to the nature of the work, you will be required to work on site.

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

The closing date for applications is 21st April 2025.

To find out more about the Loke CTR please visit our website at: https://www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Erin Slatery, Loke CTR Executive Manager (execmgr.lokectr@pdn.cam.ac.uk). If you have any queries about the recruitment process, please contact Tracey Flack, Chief HR Administrator (pdnhr@pdn.cam.ac.uk).

Please quote reference PM45421 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 Medical Research Council (MRC) Toxicology Unit is a leading International Research Institute within the School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge.

We are looking to appoint an IT Specialist to provide IT support for the research and administrative functions of the Toxicology Unit.

Main duties and responsibilities include:

General IT Support

¿ First-tier technical support, including general AV and IT troubleshooting for Windows, MacOS, and mobile devices ¿ Ensure user and instrument devices are updated/University compliant ¿ Manage computer life cycle ¿ Prepare and update standard operating procedures ¿ Prepare user guides and provide training to users at all levels

System Management and Support

¿ Manage user account life cycle ¿ Hands-on experience managing and maintaining Windows and Linux services, including AD, group policy, DNS, DHCP, Hyper-V, SQL Server, and Mongo DB

Network Management and Support

¿ Manage/maintain network infrastructure, including configurations, patching and tuning ¿ Ensure the network is secure and working efficiently. Troubleshoot network problems, collect performance statistics and create reports

You will be educated to degree level/level 6 vocational qualification or equivalent level of experience with demonstrable hands-on experience in IT support on different platforms. You will be a good communicator, highly proactive and able to develop and maintain technical knowledge.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 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.

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

Please quote reference PU45415 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 Sawarkar/Willis lab at the MRC Toxicology Unit is looking for a Research Assistant to contribute to its programme on neurodegeneration, epigenetics and antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) RNA therapeutics.

The project will use state-of-the-art molecular cell biology technologies, combined with ex vivo cell culture models, to improve delivery of ASO therapeutics and assay for related toxicity in neurodegeneration.

You will need to hold or be close to completing a Masters' degree in an appropriate field (e.g. Molecular biology) and/or have relevant experience at an equivalent level, together with demonstrable hands-on experience in RNA/ protein analytical techniques, microscopy and tissue culture. You will be able to work both independently and as part of a team, have excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills and ideally have experience of working on an independent research project. Enthusiasm for working in a diverse inter-disciplinary team is desirable.

The MRC Toxicology Unit is an internationally renowned institution focussed on the delivery of field-changing mechanistic insights into toxicology and disease. The Unit is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including mass spectrometry, microscopy, and bioinformatics, and offers excellent opportunities for scientific career development.

Fixed-term: This post is funded by ERC until 31 August 2026 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.

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

Please quote reference PU45409 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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

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

We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the research group of Dr. Antoine Hocher in the Department of Genetics, based in central Cambridge. Our lab explores molecular mimicry and chromatin evolution. We combine molecular biology, phylogenetics, proteomics and genetics.

This postdoctoral position focuses on studying and engineering proteins that mimic DNA. Molecular mimicry is a powerful evolutionary strategy observed across diverse organisms, from insects to vertebrates. While striking examples of phenotypic mimicry are well-documented, systematic approaches to identify and manipulate molecular mimicry remain largely unexplored.

The successful candidate will lead wet-lab projects aimed at:

• Developing high-throughput environmental DNA screens to uncover new cases of molecular mimicry.
• Engineering DNA-mimicking proteins using directed evolution platforms.
• Dissecting the mechanisms of action of newly identified DNA mimics.

By applying cutting-edge approaches, this work aims to systematically uncover DNA mimics and their targets, with potential applications in inhibiting DNA-binding proteins and advancing our understanding of molecular mimicry as a biological phenomenon.

This position provides a unique opportunity to develop expertise in diverse high-throughput techniques (proteomics, transcriptomics, directed evolution). The successful candidate will benefit from the lab's combined expertise in wet-lab molecular biology and computational biology.

Prior experience in microbiology, protein biology or experimental evolution is advantageous. Computational biology expertise is not required. A curious, persevering, and independent mindset is essential.

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.

For informal enquiries about the role please contact Dr Antoine Hocher ah2368@cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PC45382 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 a performance and in-conversation by Anne Tallentire marking the culmination of her commission for Here is a Gale Warning: Art, Crisis & Survival.

This in-person conference will bring together religious practitioners, scholars and theologians from around the world for a multi-faith conference which aims to revitalise non-violent theologies of peace for our troubled world.

Join Common Threads Press for a panel discussion on craft as a source of hope and survival.

Join us for art, music, talks, making and more, with a chance to see our exhibition Here is a Gale Warning: Art, Crisis & Survival out of hours.

The Public Engagement Team at the University of Cambridge is delighted to announce the Cambridge Creative Encounters Exhibition as part of Cambridge Festival, with a retrospective exhibition on the creative outputs from the last 3 years.

The University of Cambridge ThinkLab is excited to announce our upcoming event on neurodiversity, disability, inclusion and the future of work.

We are delighted to welcome Professor David Daokui Li and Professor Rana Mitter as our speakers for the Clare Hall Tanner and Tanner Founder’s Lecture 2025, exploring the future of relations between China and the West.

Come along to the book launch of "Religion, Theology, and Stranger Things" co-edited by one of Ridley's own, Dr. Andy Byers, both in person at Ridley and online on Zoom!

A Research Assistant or Research Associate (post-doc) position in AI and Neuroinformatics is available to work with Prof Zoe Kourtzi (Adaptive Brain Lab, Univ of Cambridge; https://www.abg.psychol.cam.ac.uk) and Prof Eleni Vasilaki (School of Computer Science, Univ of Sheffield).

The position will focus on developing AI-guided tools for understanding brain functions (e.g. learning and adaptive behaviour) and improving early detection of brain disorders. This position is well-suited for candidates eager to develop and translate theoretical AI models into tools that can: a) help understand brain mechanisms in health and disease, b) be deployed in clinical settings.

Successful candidates will engage in developing AI models to synthesise and analyse diverse data sets, including brain imaging, genetic, cognitive, and epidemiological data. The research activity is at the core of a funded programme that brings together multidisciplinary experts in neuroscience, machine learning, clinical practice, clinical informatics with healthcare innovation and pharmaceutical industry partners.

You will receive multi-disciplinary research training at the interface of machine learning, neuroscience, and clinical translation. You will be integrated in a diverse collaborative team and will have the opportunity to participate in workshops as well as exchange visits across labs to facilitate cross-disciplinary training and collaborative working. You will be member of the AI-deas Hub for brain and mental health (https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/AI-deas-launch). The Hub fosters collaborations between mathematics, statistics, computer science, medicine and industry aiming to develop analytics tools for brain research and healthcare.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Applicants should have a MRes or PhD (or have submitted by the time of appointment) together with a strong academic track record, in a relevant area: Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Data Science, Biostatistics, Neuroscience, or Medicine.

  • A strong academic track record and programming skills are essential.

• Experience with machine learning, data science, computational neuroscience, biostatistics, cognitive or clinical neuroscience are highly desirable

• Strong mathematical skills, knowledge of recurrent neural networks, foundation models and a focus on explainable machine learning models, would bring added value to the position.

• The successful applicant should demonstrate enthusiasm for generating new knowledge, openness to learning new approaches, and ability to contribute to a multidisciplinary team across sectors (academia, healthcare, industry).

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 18 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 ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

For informal inquiries, please contact Zoe Kourtzi at zk240@cam.ac.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 6th April at 12 Midnight

Interview dates: TBC

Please quote reference PJ45385 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 Genetics, University of Cambridge, is a thriving, friendly and dynamic community of staff and students, dedicated to the pursuit of world-class research, teaching and learning, and driven by curiosity, quality, collaboration and innovation. It is a wonderfully rich and rewarding environment in which to grow, both personally and professionally.

We wish to recruit an enthusiastic and self-motivated IT Technician who can assist with the provision of IT support for all teaching, research and administration activities within the department. The role will be split 50/50 between the main Department of Genetics and the Bioinformatics Training Facility (BTF), which sits within the Department of Genetics. This will be a hands-on role providing the first line of support and therefore requires good communication and relationship-building skills.

The role will be well supported by the IT Managers in the department and BTF, by the School of Biological Sciences Head of IT, and by colleagues in similar roles in other university departments. A wide range of training and professional career development opportunities are also available. If you have the technical skills to help with the delivery of a resilient IT service for the department, and the personality and drive to contribute to an outstanding support culture, please do apply - we'll be delighted to hear from you.

This role is based within the Department of Genetics, and full-time, on-site presence is expected.

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

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Gareth Porteous gsp35@cam.ac.uk and Paul Judge pj237@cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PC45379 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 Innovation Pathway Coordinator at the Milner Therapeutics Insitute (MTI) is a new and exciting opportunity for an individual to play a key role in advancing neurotechnology innovation within the Cambridge NeuroWorks ARIA Activation Partnership.

The partnership comprises a consortium of organisations:Cambridge University Health Partners, several departments of the University of Cambridge, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge Network, and Vellos. The partners will provide creative talent with access to the expertise and resources needed to progress a new generation of neuro-technologies designed to treat conditions such as depression, dementia, chronic pain, epilepsy and injuries to the nervous system.

The role coordinates the delivery of the ideation ("What If") programme within the broader Cambridge NeuroWorks activity. This involves supporting the Innovation Pathway Manager to develop and implement the ideation ("What If") programme and support the "Blue Sky" fellows during their experimental exploration (Blue Sky) phase. The role also supports the transitions into the commercial translation ("Activation") phase, (led by the Babraham Research Campus. Collaborating with other programme coordinators and managers the role holder ensures the "What If" programme aligns with the goals of the Cambridge NeuroWorks Activation Partnership.

The role holder will produce programme content, analyse programme feedback, communicate/ promote events, coordinate/ manage communications with Blue Sky fellows and "What If" part-time participants, and foster community engagement with both internal and external stakeholders in the Cambridge NeuroWorks Community space on Connect: Health Tech.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience in working in an entrepreneurial environment and initiating, developing, and maintaining stakeholder relationships. Will also be able to demonstrate knowledge of project coordination, ability to plan, execute and keep to deadlines.

For the full person specification, click below to view the further particulars.

About the Milner Therapeutics Institute (MTI)

The MTI is a purpose-built research institute at the University of Cambridge, with an overarching vision to convert pioneering science into therapies by driving academic-industry partnerships. The MTI is breaking new ground in academic/industry interactions and demonstrates a world-leading model of start-up companies, academics and pharma working side by side at the bench. The MTI environment offers a unique opportunity to work at the interface of academia and industry, applying ground-breaking technologies to drug discovery and patient treatment.

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

For an informal discussion in confidence please contact Alexandra Huener, Head of Entrepreneurship ah930@cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference PR45366 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.

Are you an experienced HR professional looking for a varied and fast-paced role at the heart of a world-leading scientific research institute, embedded within the University of Cambridge?

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen to join our busy and friendly research institute as a temporary HR Manager. The Gurdon Institute is a department of the University of Cambridge at the cutting edge of science, with 12 research groups, carrying out research on projects related to cancer and developmental biology. We are seeking a dedicated and proactive individual to become an integral part of our administration team. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a globally recognised research environment, providing expert HR support to staff, students and visitors.

We are looking for someone with significant professional HR experience, ideally within Higher Education. You should be confident in handling complex and sensitive personnel matters with professionalism and discretion. The successful candidate will deliver a comprehensive HR service to the Institute, developing, implementing and maintaining an effective HR strategy and will ensure alignment with both the Institute's objectives and the University's HR policies and best practices.

Working closely with the Business and Operations Manager and supported by an HR Administrator, you will be part of a friendly and collaborative core administration team that underpins the operational success of the Institute.

The successful candidate will have a relevant degree or equivalent working experience and Level 5 CIPD qualification. A problem-solving mindset, strong attention to detail and the ability to prioritise workloads effectively to meet deadlines and exceptional written and verbal communication skills are essential, as well as the ability to work flexibly and manage competing priorities. Experience in line management and the ability to work confidentially, with tact and discretion, are also key attributes.

The Institute currently operates a hybrid working model, but the postholder is expected to be on-site for a minimum of three days per week.

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.

Temporary cover: This post is fixed-term for one year or the return of the post holder, whichever is the earlier.

If you are looking for a role where you can make a real impact within a leading research environment, we would love to hear from you!

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

Please quote reference PR45353 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

Previous Applicants need not reapply.

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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