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A workshop about making and living with mistakes, with surgeon, educator and writer David Alderson and visual artist Kirsten Lavers

Through her work, Kirsten Lavers creates possibilities for conversations around our desire for perfection and discomfort with fallibility.

Grab a glass of wine and a sketchpad, it's time for Drink and Draw

Mill Road History Society presents a talk by Nigel Kerry, Director of Music at OLEM, on how a former ballerina from the slums of Paris financed the creation of what is commonly known as the Catholic Church

Join one of our knowledgeable Visitor Assistants for an introductory guided tour of the Kettle’s Yard house.

A morning workshop for people interested in games (table top, role play) and also in thinking about how we can improve conversations around death and dying.

An evening of poetry inspired by Greek and Roman sculpture

Next Generation Fellow, Centre for Trophoblast Research

The Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research (CTR) was founded in 2007 as a Centre of excellence to promote scientific study of the placenta, early development and maternal-fetal interactions during pregnancy. It brings together over 30 Principal Investigators, many of whom are recognized international experts in their fields.

The Loke CTR has an opening for a Next Generation Fellow who will complement and synergise with our existing research programmes. Next Generation Fellowships are a springboard to a long and successful career in the field of placental and reproductive biology and highly flexible to suit individual needs, to enable the postholder to develop as an independent researcher. Holders are expected, and will be supported, to apply for Research Fellowship/Career Development Awards from research councils or other funders, or a faculty position during their tenure. Find out more about the fellowship on our website: https://www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/ngf-overview

The Next Generation Fellowships are a springboard to a long and successful career in the field of placental and reproductive biology. Many of our Next Generation Fellows have used the opportunity as a stepping stone to independent group leader positions: https://www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/next-generation-fellow-alumni.

What to expect

Next Generation Fellows will be mentored to develop and establish an independent research program that will complement that of other groups within the Centre for Trophoblast Research. Fellows will be expected to contribute fully to the activities of the Loke CTR and to their host department. They will supervise MPhil/masters, summer and/or undergraduate students. They may be a co-applicant on research grant applications to recruit, train and co-supervise postdoctoral researchers, research assistants, technical staff and PhD students.

The post holder will be expected to create a strong track record of publishing high impact papers and disseminate the results of their work in any ways that seem appropriate and effective (e.g. via conferences and seminars). They will be responsible for compliance with all the relevant laws (Home Office, HTA, HFEA).

Candidates should hold a PhD and have a high-quality publication track record in academic journals or equivalent. We welcome applications from across a diverse range of research relevant to our Grand Challenges https://www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/about-us/objectives.

Contract details

Appointments will be made on a fixed-term, full-time, basis for a period of 3 years (Grade 7, £37,174- £45,413 for appointments in 2025). There is a possibility of up to 1-year extension. The contract further includes research consumables/equipment of £60,000 per annum & travel support up to £750 over the duration of the fellowship.

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

To apply to this post, candidates should first identify a research Sponsor from the list of Principal Investigators https://www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/people/principal-investigators within the Centre for Trophoblast Research, and discuss their research plans with them.

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

In addition to this, please ensure that you upload the application documentations as follows:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Up to 3 letters of reference

• Letter of support from your chosen Loke CTR sponsor

• Loke CTR Next Generation Fellowship application form

The closing date for applications is 30th January 2026.

Please quote reference PM45775 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 post Strongest hints yet of biological activity outside the solar system appeared first on Cambridge Enterprise.

The post Accelerated Materials receives inaugural investment appeared first on Cambridge Enterprise.

Applications are invited for a Software Project Manager position in the research group of Dr. François Nédélec at the Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge (SLCU). This role is part of the ERC Synergy project BioMecaNet, in collaboration with Andrea Musacchio's team (MPI of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, DE) and Thomas Surrey's team (CRG, Barcelona, SP).

The successful candidate will work on developing innovative software tools to simulate cellular and molecular processes key to cell division, particularly mitotic spindle assembly and chromosome segregation. This project uses advanced mathematical models and computational techniques to analyze cytoskeletal mechanics and cell cycle processes.

Primary work will include extending Cytosim, a widely-used, cross-platform open-source simulation engine for cytoskeleton research (www.cytosim.org). Cytosim is designed to handle large systems of flexible filaments and associated proteins, like molecular motors, and is actively maintained by the PI with contributions from other groups worldwide. It features simulation capabilities and an interactive 3D graphical mode.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain robust, high-performance software enabling cellular-scale simulations.
• Upgrade the graphical engine and desktop OpenGL code to OpenGL ES 2.0.
• Modernize Cytosim's GUI using GLFW and ImGUI or a similar solution.
• Adapt Cytosim for tablet/phone deployment and browser use via WebAssembly.
• Provide user support and potentially develop a Wiki for documentation.
• Assist in organizing annual, week-long training courses.
• Collaborate with biologists to translate biological processes into computational models.
• Contribute to algorithm development for large-scale simulations, especially parallelization.
• Create software solutions (such as games or demos) for outreach activities.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in computer science, software engineering, computational biology, or a related field; PhD candidates are also welcome to apply.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python; knowledge of OpenGL and computer graphics is advantageous.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with familiarity in mechanics or stochastic modeling algorithms in biology.
• Experience in mathematical modeling, scientific computing, systems biology, or AI is advantageous.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary team.

This position offers exciting opportunities for collaboration and the chance to contribute directly to advancing biological understanding through software development. SLCU provides a supportive and collaborative environment, along with various family-friendly benefits and professional development resources.

To apply, please upload:

• A detailed CV with a list of publications (if applicable)
• A supporting statement
• Contact information for three referees

The funding for this post is available for two years or until 30 June 2027, whichever is the sooner.

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

Scientific enquiries apart from the formal application should be directed to Dr. François Nédélec at Francois.Nedelec@slcu.cam.ac.uk.

For questions regarding the application process, please email HR@slcu.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PT45752 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 metals have previously been shown to damage the health of pollinators, which ingest them in nectar as they feed, leading to reduced population sizes and death. Even low nectar metal levels can have long-term effects, by affecting bees’ learning and memory - which impacts their foraging ability.

Researchers have found that common plants including white clover and bindweed, which are vital forage for pollinators in cities, can accumulate arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead from contaminated soils.

Metal contamination is an issue in the soils of cities worldwide, with the level of contamination usually increasing with the age of a city. The metals come from a huge range of sources including cement dust and mining.

The researchers say soils in cities should be tested for metals before sowing wildflowers and if necessary, polluted areas should be cleaned up before new wildflower habitats are established.

The study highlights the importance of growing the right species of wildflowers to suit the soil conditions. 

Reducing the risk of metal exposure is critical for the success of urban pollinator conservation schemes. The researchers say it is important to manage wildflower species that self-seed on contaminated urban land, for example by frequent mowing to limit flowering - which reduces the transfer of metals from the soil to the bees.

The results are published today in the journal Ecology and Evolution. 

Dr Sarah Scott in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Zoology and first author of the report, said: “It’s really important to have wildflowers as a food source for the bees, and our results should not discourage people from planting wildflowers in towns and cities.

“We hope this study will raise awareness that soil health is also important for bee health. Before planting wildflowers in urban areas to attract bees and other pollinators, it’s important to consider the history of the land and what might be in the soil – and if necessary find out whether there’s a local soil testing and cleanup service available first.”

The study was carried out in the post-industrial US city of Cleveland, Ohio, which has over 33,700 vacant lots left as people have moved away from the area. In the past, iron and steel production, oil refining and car manufacturing went on there. But any land that was previously the site of human activity may be contaminated with traces of metals.

To get their results, the researchers extracted nectar from a range of self-seeded flowering plants that commonly attract pollinating insects, found growing on disused land across the city. They tested this for the presence of arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead. Lead was consistently found at the highest concentrations, reflecting the state of the soils in the city.

The researchers found that different species of plant accumulate different amounts, and types, of the metals. Overall, the bright blue-flowered chicory plant (Cichorium intybus) accumulated the largest total metal concentration, followed by white clover (Trifolium repens), wild carrot (Daucus carota) and bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). These plants are all vital forage for pollinators in cities - including cities in the UK - providing a consistent supply of nectar across locations and seasons.

There is growing evidence that wild pollinator populations have dropped by over 50% in the last 50 years, caused primarily by changes in land use and management across the globe. Climate change and pesticide use also play a role; overall the primary cause of decline is the loss of flower-rich habitat.

Pollinators play a vital role in food production: many plants, including apple and tomato, require pollination in order to develop fruit. Natural ‘pollination services’ are estimated to add billions of dollars to global crop productivity. 

Scott said: “Climate change feels so overwhelming, but simply planting flowers in certain areas can help towards conserving pollinators, which is a realistic way for people to make a positive impact on the environment.”

The research was funded primarily by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Reference 
Scott, S.B.& Gardiner, M.M.: ‘Trace metals in nectar of important urban pollinator forage plants: A direct exposure risk to pollinators and nectar-feeding animals in cities.’ Ecology and Evolution, April 2025.  DOI: 10.1002/ece3.71238
 

Wildflowers growing on land previously used for buildings and factories can accumulate lead, arsenic and other metal contaminants from the soil, which are consumed by pollinators as they feed, a new study has found.

Our results should not discourage people from planting wildflowers in towns and cities. But.. it’s important to consider the history of the land and what might be in the soil."Sarah ScottSarah ScottChicory growing in a vacant lot

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INTERNAL SECONDMENT OPPORTUNITY: This appointment is available until May 2026 to provide temporary cover until the return of the current post-holder. Please note that this post is only available to staff who already work at the University, as this is being advertised as a secondment opportunity.

The Department of Pharmacology, part of the School of Biological Sciences, is seeking to appoint a HR Coordinator to join the Professional Services team. Reporting to the Departmental Administrator, this role coordinates a comprehensive HR and payroll support service for all staff, managing and leading on all day-to-day local HR functions, with the assistance of the HR Administrator which the post holder will line manage.

As the HR Coordinator, you will be providing clear and accurate advice to staff and managers on HR policy and employment relations issues such as staff welfare, disciplinary/grievance and terms and conditions of employment (e.g. holiday entitlement, pay scales). You will be working closely with the Departmental Administrator and will be expected to provide guidance and advice to the DA and HoD regarding University wide policies, as well as implementing this guidance into the Department. You will oversee all recruitment process, from writing job adverts and setting up interviews, all the way through to offer and onboarding new staff members. In fact, this role has oversight on the entire employee lifecycle, from induction, to training and development, all the way through to completing leaver processes.

The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills, and a positive, service-oriented, can-do attitude. They will be able to work both independently and in a team, with a pro-active approach to troubleshooting and problem solving. Attention to detail, a high level of accuracy and effective time management are essential. Candidates must be educated to HND/ HNC level, level 4/ 5 vocational qualification or an equivalent level of practical experience. CIPD certification is beneficial but not essential. The role requires the post holder to be confident MS Office user, especially OneDrive, Outlook, Word and Excel. Previous experience in University HR systems (CHRIS, RAS, Web Recruitment, CCWS) and well as good working knowledge of University HR policies is essential. This role has line management responsibility for the HR Administrator; line management experience is desirable but not essential.

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 questions about this vacancy, please contact Emma King, Departmental Administrator (da@phar.cam.ac.uk). For queries about the application process, please contact the HR team (hr@phar.cam.ac.uk).

Please quote reference PL45706 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.

This post-doctoral position will be placed within a collaborative research program titled 'Molecules to Health Records' and involves a collaboration with the Sanger Institute, University of Oxford and University College London.

The overarching aim for this project is to gain major new insights into the underlying causes and biology of diseases by bringing together on a grand scale multimodal information on genomics, other molecular traits, and high-resolution imaging and electronic health records (EHRs).

The project will help unlock the potential of major global investments in large-scale molecular bioresources of populations and patients.

This specific post will lead on the integrating of clinical neuroimaging, genetics and education records, with a principal focus on driving methodological innovation in imaging genomic integration and deployment and validation of clinical neuroimaging analytics.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 24 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 in the upload section of the online application you provide:

A cover letter detailing, on a point by point basis, how you meet the essential (and, if applicable, the desirable) selection criteria for this post

A document containing your Curriculum Vitae (CV), research publications list, and a brief narrative (100 words maximum per output) on up to three outputs you consider most significant.

For informal inquiries, please contact Richard Bethlehem at rb643@cam.ac.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 18th May 2025 at 12 Midnight

Planned interview dates around the end of May 2025

Please quote reference PJ45712 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.

Passionate about first-opinion equine work? Join our team of ambulatory and clinic-based equine vets who combine clinical work with teaching future vets.

Role Overview: We are seeking an experienced Clinical Veterinarian in First Opinion Equine Practice to join our dynamic team, following a recent change within the service. Contribute to the continued development of our general equine practice and teach final-year vet students during their clinical rotations.

What We Offer: · Salary and Start: Up to £55,755/year + out-of-hours pay. Earliest start June 2025. · Contract: Full-time, permanent. However, we also welcome applications from individuals seeking part-time arrangements (minimum 3 days per week. Ideally be on consecutive days, but other days would be considered. Must include Fridays). Please specify your preferred working days in your application. · Annual Leave: 41 days/year (pro rata for part-time). · Professional Development: 10 days/year for CPD (pro rata for part-time). · Work-Life Balance: Planned admin time, good social/team time, supportive environment. · Pension Scheme: Very generous. · Enhanced Benefits: Maternity, Paternity, Parental Leave Pay, well-being support. · Employee Discounts: Retail and travel benefits. · Development Opportunities: Development of professional interests and leadership skills encouraged and fully supported.

Key Responsibilities: · Provide high-standard clinical service in equine practice. · Support the Principal Clinical Veterinarian in Equine General Practice. · Teach and mentor vet students during their equine clinical rotations. · Contribute to the expansion and enhancement of first-opinion equine services. · Participate in out-of-hours rota (additional pay).

About Us: We are an independent equine practice operating out of the vet school site including the Queens Veterinary School Hospital. You will be working alongside a diverse and integrated equine clinical team and embedded within a wider community of clinicians and support staff dedicated to providing compassionate veterinary clinical services to patients and clients in the Cambridgeshire area. Cambridge Equine Clinic provides ambulatory services within a 40-mile radius of the vet school, supported by outstanding clinic facilities including a new indoor menage, several well-equipped treatment rooms with stocks, full-surgical facilities, and an impressive array of equipment. Our team includes equine RVNs, experienced techs, with support from specialists in anaesthesia, clinical pathology and radiology.

Requirements: · Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. · Relevant experience in equine practice. · Passion for teaching and mentoring veterinary students.

Informal Enquiries: Please contact Craig Rutland, Principal Clinical Veterinarian in Equine General Practice, via email: cr763@cam.ac.uk.

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

Please outline in your job application how you meet the essential criteria set out in the Further Particulars.

Applications will be monitored regularly, and we may contact candidates prior to the closing date. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Shared practice vehicles are provided for work use.

Join us in shaping the future of equine veterinary practice and education at Cambridge Vet School! For more information about the Department, visit www.vet.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 Cambridge Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Research Centre is excited to be recruiting for a pro-active and dedicated administrator to join the team. Reporting to the Cambridge Neuroscience Strategic Manager and Directors of Cambridge Neuroscience, the post holder will be responsible for providing administrative and events support for the day-to-day aspects of running the Cambridge Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Research Centre (IRC).

Cambridge Neuroscience is an overarching University initiative concerned with bringing together a critical mass of neuroscience research expertise from across all six Schools. The virtual community includes ~900 members, of whom 295 are Principal Investigators (PIs) working in everything from biomedicine and maths to psychiatry and philosophy, and education, engineering and economics. Membership spans all six Schools of the University and over 65 Departments and Institutes, including University Institutes. For more information about Cambridge Neuroscience, please visit the website at www.neuroscience.cam.ac.uk

The role includes assisting in the organisation of meetings, workshops, festivals and conferences, as well as liaising with the members to ensure the timely delivery of documentation and that information is provided accurately and efficiently. This role has been created to support the management and planning of a series of high-profile events engaging stakeholders across research, industry and government and the role holder is expected to manage interactions with existing and potential stakeholders, understanding their needs and wishes. In addition, the role holder is expected to develop website resources, promotional materials and assist with networking and promoting relevant research opportunities information to encourage a flourishing research community. This position is currently funded for 2 years on a part-time basis, 22 hours per week. Candidates should note that there may be some working in evenings/weekends if required for events.

The ideal candidate will have previous administrative experience/following office procedures and be competent in standard software packages (in particular Word, Excel and Outlook). A confident IT user with excellent organisational skills, the candidate should also possess good time management, communication and interpersonal skills. We are looking for candidates with a "can-do" attitude, eager to learn, able to use their own initiative, especially when organising their own workload and meeting deadlines. Candidates must be educated to A Level standard or equivalent standard/NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of practical experience.

Applications close at 11:59pm on 28th April 2025. Interviews will take place on 8th May 2025.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

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

Further details can be found in the Further Particulars document. If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact the HR Team (hr@phar.cam.ac.uk). Queries about the role itself may be directed to Dr Dervila Glynn (dg248@cam.ac.uk).

Please quote reference PL45711 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 Barry Clark as he explores Manchester’s rich contribution to the Arts and Crafts movement on 28th May at 6.30pm

What can beer tell us about history and science? Find out at this Jesus College Intellectual Forum event.

Join the Jesus College Intellectual Forum to hear from Thomas Harding as he recounts the until-now untold story of a historic true crime.

Anna Taylor will lead an inspiring evening on the development of the David Parr House Visitor Centre garden planting and habitat creation to increase biodiversity in the garden for both house visitors and the city wildlife to feed and find shelter with. Anna will be speaking about creating climate-resilient planting that enhances a public multi-use space.