We are looking for a highly motivated post-doctoral researcher to help develop and use new models and analyses for landscape conservation aimed at problems of habitat loss, fragmentation, and connectivity, both locally and globally. The project is a growing collaborative effort to provide reliable science for landscape conservation efforts.

Your role in the project is to: 1) apply advanced models to map connectivity globally for terrestrial vertebrates; 2) develop new metrics for interpreting the role of connectivity, habitat loss, and fragmentation for biodiversity and extinction risk; 3) test these models empirically with existing data sets; and 4) engage in applications for conservation.

You will be self-motivated, passionate about ecology and conservation, and able to work efficiently and in collaboration with external organisations and individuals. You will hold a PhD in a relevant subject and have effective written and verbal communication skills. You be able to curate, analyse and interpret large and complex data sets and models. Experience in spatial ecology, mathematical modelling, and quantitative conservation science are desirable.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to: Professor Robert Fletcher Email: rf497@cam.ac.uk.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

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

Flexible working requests will be considered.

We particularly welcome applications from women and candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our University.

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

If you have any queries regarding the application process please contact Anastasia Nezhentseva.

Email: an286@cam.ac.uk Telephone: (0)1223 330117

Please quote reference PF44189 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 are looking for a highly motivated post-doctoral researcher to help develop and use new models and analyses for landscape conservation aimed at problems of habitat loss, fragmentation, and connectivity, both locally and globally. The project is a growing collaborative effort to provide reliable science for landscape conservation efforts.

Your role in the project is to: 1) apply advanced models to map connectivity globally for terrestrial vertebrates; 2) develop new metrics for interpreting the role of connectivity, habitat loss, and fragmentation for biodiversity and extinction risk; 3) test these models empirically with existing data sets; and 4) engage in applications for conservation.

You will be self-motivated, passionate about ecology and conservation, and able to work efficiently and in collaboration with external organisations and individuals. You will hold a PhD in a relevant subject and have effective written and verbal communication skills. You be able to curate, analyse and interpret large and complex data sets and models. Experience in spatial ecology, mathematical modelling, and quantitative conservation science are desirable.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to: Professor Robert Fletcher Email: rf497@cam.ac.uk.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

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

Flexible working requests will be considered.

We particularly welcome applications from women and candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our University.

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

If you have any queries regarding the application process please contact Anastasia Nezhentseva.

Email: an286@cam.ac.uk Telephone: (0)1223 330117

Please quote reference PF44189 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 IS A RE-ADVERTISEMENT, PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY

The University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge is seeking a full-time, fixed-term Assistant Conservator. Core activities will include a combination of interventive and preventive conservation activities. The post holder will assist with the management of preventive conservation including environmental monitoring and integrated pest management (IPM) in a museum setting. They will provide museum conservation treatments to the permanent exhibits as well as upcoming exhibitions and stored collections. The postholder will also be expected to work on the Museum's fluid-preserved specimens.

The role offers a unique opportunity to work as part of a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary team building practical experience working with natural history collections. The role requires the post holder to have good general knowledge and experience in the care and conservation of organic materials. Knowledge and experience in the conservation of natural history collections would be desirable but training in developing this specialism will be provided.

It is essential the successful candidate is able to work independently and collaboratively with colleagues as well as have the ability to work effectively to deadlines.

About you: - You would have a recognised professional conservation qualification to degree level or equivalent, with emphasis on the conservation of the material relevant to the natural history collections. - You would be able to demonstrate practical skills in the conservation of a range of materials found in natural history collections. - You would have proven interest and experience working with natural history collections.

This role is a specialist Museum collections conservation role. It is not an environment conservation or wildlife/nature conservation role.

For a full person specification, key responsibilities and essential requirements, which your application will be scored against, please see the Further Particulars.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to: Natalie Jones (Conservator) Email: nj273@cam.ac.uk

Interviews are planned in the week commencing Monday, 20 January 2025

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for up to three years.

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.

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

Flexible working requests will be considered.

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 PF41566 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 IS A RE-ADVERTISEMENT, PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY

The University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge is seeking a full-time, fixed-term Assistant Conservator. Core activities will include a combination of interventive and preventive conservation activities. The post holder will assist with the management of preventive conservation including environmental monitoring and integrated pest management (IPM) in a museum setting. They will provide museum conservation treatments to the permanent exhibits as well as upcoming exhibitions and stored collections. The postholder will also be expected to work on the Museum's fluid-preserved specimens.

The role offers a unique opportunity to work as part of a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary team building practical experience working with natural history collections. The role requires the post holder to have good general knowledge and experience in the care and conservation of organic materials. Knowledge and experience in the conservation of natural history collections would be desirable but training in developing this specialism will be provided.

It is essential the successful candidate is able to work independently and collaboratively with colleagues as well as have the ability to work effectively to deadlines.

About you: - You would have a recognised professional conservation qualification to degree level or equivalent, with emphasis on the conservation of the material relevant to the natural history collections. - You would be able to demonstrate practical skills in the conservation of a range of materials found in natural history collections. - You would have proven interest and experience working with natural history collections.

This role is a specialist Museum collections conservation role. It is not an environment conservation or wildlife/nature conservation role.

For a full person specification, key responsibilities and essential requirements, which your application will be scored against, please see the Further Particulars.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to: Natalie Jones (Conservator) Email: nj273@cam.ac.uk

Interviews are planned in the week commencing Monday, 20 January 2025

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for up to three years.

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.

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

Flexible working requests will be considered.

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 PF41566 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 Board of Electors to the Prince Philip Professorship of Ecology and Evolution invites applications from people whose work falls within the broad fields of Ecology and Evolution, to take up appointment on 1 October 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Department of Zoology seeks to appoint a scientist of outstanding calibre. Our new colleague will be recognised internationally for the originality and impact of their research in ecology and/or evolution. They will provide in person leadership in one or both of these subjects at Cambridge.

The appointment comes at an exciting time for the Department of Zoology, and for the wider School of Biological Sciences at Cambridge. It coincides with recruitment of several new professors and senior research leaders in the broad and globally impactful research area of biodiversity research. The Prince Philip Professorship is one of the last remaining vacancies and complements the other posts in its focus on ecology and evolutionary biology. The successful applicant will be central to collaborative research across the School of Biological Sciences on the origin and maintenance of biodiversity (https://www.bio.cam.ac.uk/research).

The role-holder's work could additionally have synergies with research conducted within the natural sciences collections at Cambridge (i.e. the University Museum of Zoology, the University Botanic Gardens, the Herbarium and the Sedgwick Museum in Earth Sciences). There are further potential connections with work conducted in the Conservation Research Institute and with the wider activities of the NGOs that work within the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and the Cambridge Conservation Forum. Links are also possible to research carried out in School of Physical Sciences and the Department of Engineering in bioengineering and biomaterials at Cambridge. The University of Cambridge also has close connections to the Wellcome Genome Campus at Hinxton (https://www.wellcomegenomecampus.org/) and the Darwin Tree of Life project (https://darwintreeoflife.org/).

The Professor will be based entirely in Cambridge. Standard professorial duties include teaching and research, examining, supervision and administration. The Professor will be expected to take on a senior leadership role in the Department at some point in the future. A competitive salary will be offered.

Applications, consisting of a letter of application, a statement of current and future research plans (of up to 4 pages), a curriculum vitae and a publications list, along with details of three referees should be made online no later than 6 January 2025

We will hold in person interviews in Cambridge in the week beginning 24 March 2025. We particularly welcome applications from women and candidates from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our institution.

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

Further information on the University and the Professorship is available at: www.cam.ac.uk and 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). Informal enquiries may be directed to Prof Rebecca Kilner, Head of the Zoology Department and Convenor of Board of Electors, at: HoD@zoo.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PF43857 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 Board of Electors to the Prince Philip Professorship of Ecology and Evolution invites applications from people whose work falls within the broad fields of Ecology and Evolution, to take up appointment on 1 October 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Department of Zoology seeks to appoint a scientist of outstanding calibre. Our new colleague will be recognised internationally for the originality and impact of their research in ecology and/or evolution. They will provide in person leadership in one or both of these subjects at Cambridge.

The appointment comes at an exciting time for the Department of Zoology, and for the wider School of Biological Sciences at Cambridge. It coincides with recruitment of several new professors and senior research leaders in the broad and globally impactful research area of biodiversity research. The Prince Philip Professorship is one of the last remaining vacancies and complements the other posts in its focus on ecology and evolutionary biology. The successful applicant will be central to collaborative research across the School of Biological Sciences on the origin and maintenance of biodiversity (https://www.bio.cam.ac.uk/research).

The role-holder's work could additionally have synergies with research conducted within the natural sciences collections at Cambridge (i.e. the University Museum of Zoology, the University Botanic Gardens, the Herbarium and the Sedgwick Museum in Earth Sciences). There are further potential connections with work conducted in the Conservation Research Institute and with the wider activities of the NGOs that work within the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and the Cambridge Conservation Forum. Links are also possible to research carried out in School of Physical Sciences and the Department of Engineering in bioengineering and biomaterials at Cambridge. The University of Cambridge also has close connections to the Wellcome Genome Campus at Hinxton (https://www.wellcomegenomecampus.org/) and the Darwin Tree of Life project (https://darwintreeoflife.org/).

The Professor will be based entirely in Cambridge. Standard professorial duties include teaching and research, examining, supervision and administration. The Professor will be expected to take on a senior leadership role in the Department at some point in the future. A competitive salary will be offered.

Applications, consisting of a letter of application, a statement of current and future research plans (of up to 4 pages), a curriculum vitae and a publications list, along with details of three referees should be made online no later than 6 January 2025

We will hold in person interviews in Cambridge in the week beginning 24 March 2025. We particularly welcome applications from women and candidates from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our institution.

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

Further information on the University and the Professorship is available at: www.cam.ac.uk and 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). Informal enquiries may be directed to Prof Rebecca Kilner, Head of the Zoology Department and Convenor of Board of Electors, at: HoD@zoo.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PF43857 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 Pathway to Independence Fellowship in Ecology and Conservation Biology at Clare College. The Fellowship will be for a five-year period, with a start date of 1 October 2025 and is not renewable. Modest start-up funds will be available.

The Fellow will be hosted by a group leader in the Department of Zoology and should identify and liaise with a host, prior to application. The Fellow will be employed by Clare College and will be based in the Department of Zoology, and also on site at Clare College.

This Fellowship is intended for a researcher who has already held a first post-doctoral position and is intended to offer a pathway to independence and provides an opportunity to carry out novel research in the stimulating academic environment at Zoology. The stipend will be between spine points 39 and 52 of the University's scales (https://www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/files/singlesalaryspineasat1november_23.pdf). You will be a member of a research group within Zoology but will also be expected to provide College teaching for 60 hours per year. You will be expected to participate in the Clare College admissions process for the Natural Sciences Tripos and assist in the Direction of Studies in Natural Sciences.

Clare College will provide an office, meals and IT. The Fellow will be eligible to apply for travel/research expenses from Clare College. To make an application, please download and complete the application form (https://tinyurl.com/3hx2zd67) and send it with your CV, publication list and contact details for two referees to admin@zoo.cam.ac.uk by 17:00 GMT on Wednesday 8 January 2025. We will contact you and your referees if you are shortlisted.

Interviews are scheduled for Friday 14 March 2025.

Further details of the Fellowship competition are provided in the Candidate Information Pack (https://tinyurl.com/3a47cmnw).

It should be noted that a successful candidate for this Fellowship who does not have an automatic right to work in the United Kingdom (including anyone who is completing a PhD at an overseas institution) will be subject to the visa requirements of the United Kingdom. The College will give informal advice and assistance but ultimately it will be the responsibility of the candidate to obtain the necessary visa.

Please address informal enquires to the Professors Rebecca Kilner (rmk1002@cam.ac.uk) / Andrea Manica (am315@cam.ac.uk) / Ed Turner (ect23@cam.ac.uk)

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 PF43824 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

We invite applications for a Pathway to Independence Fellowship in Ecology and Conservation Biology at Clare College. The Fellowship will be for a five-year period, with a start date of 1 October 2025 and is not renewable. Modest start-up funds will be available.

The Fellow will be hosted by a group leader in the Department of Zoology and should identify and liaise with a host, prior to application. The Fellow will be employed by Clare College and will be based in the Department of Zoology, and also on site at Clare College.

This Fellowship is intended for a researcher who has already held a first post-doctoral position and is intended to offer a pathway to independence and provides an opportunity to carry out novel research in the stimulating academic environment at Zoology. The stipend will be between spine points 39 and 52 of the University's scales (https://www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/files/singlesalaryspineasat1november_23.pdf). You will be a member of a research group within Zoology but will also be expected to provide College teaching for 60 hours per year. You will be expected to participate in the Clare College admissions process for the Natural Sciences Tripos and assist in the Direction of Studies in Natural Sciences.

Clare College will provide an office, meals and IT. The Fellow will be eligible to apply for travel/research expenses from Clare College. To make an application, please download and complete the application form (https://tinyurl.com/3hx2zd67) and send it with your CV, publication list and contact details for two referees to admin@zoo.cam.ac.uk by 17:00 GMT on Wednesday 8 January 2025. We will contact you and your referees if you are shortlisted.

Interviews are scheduled for Friday 14 March 2025.

Further details of the Fellowship competition are provided in the Candidate Information Pack (https://tinyurl.com/3a47cmnw).

It should be noted that a successful candidate for this Fellowship who does not have an automatic right to work in the United Kingdom (including anyone who is completing a PhD at an overseas institution) will be subject to the visa requirements of the United Kingdom. The College will give informal advice and assistance but ultimately it will be the responsibility of the candidate to obtain the necessary visa.

Please address informal enquires to the Professors Rebecca Kilner (rmk1002@cam.ac.uk) / Andrea Manica (am315@cam.ac.uk) / Ed Turner (ect23@cam.ac.uk)

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 PF43824 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

image credit: Jacqueline Garget Museum of Zoology invites visitors to chat to specimens in novel AI experiment Specimens in the Museum are being brought to life through the power of Artificial Intelligence, in a project aiming to strengthen our connection with the natural world and reverse apathy towards biodiversity loss...

Are you planning to submit a senior research fellowship* application from April 2025? The Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge seeks Expressions of Interest from early career researchers who wish to be sponsored for externally funded fellowships that will allow them to start an independent research group in...

We are looking for a proactive and self-motivated individual to join our in-house Facilities team as Building Services Technician at the Department of Zoology.

Located in the heart of Cambridge, the Zoology Department is a thriving, friendly and dynamic community of researchers, students, professional services staff and visitors who are passionate about exploring the wonders of the natural world. The department of Zoology are based across five buildings that include teaching areas, labs and offices as well as the Museum of Zoology mainly in Central Cambridge. We offer a welcoming work environment where you will feel valued, are encouraged to develop, and supported to achieve your full potential.

The purpose of the position is to carry out general maintenance tasks, testing and porterage, and to undertake reactive and planned works, ensuring the highest possible standards are achieved.

This varied and rewarding role will require good knowledge of building maintenance and alarm systems The role holder will work closely with the Building Services Team, Estates Division and specialist contractors. You will also provide suitable cover for the Building Services Manager in times of their absence.

You will have a customer focused approach, ideally, have worked in a similar role and will be IT literate, although training will be given in the use specific systems. Experience working in the University or in a laboratory setting would be advantageous, but it is not a requirement. You will have technical aptitude and the ability to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team. Good communication skills, excellent time keeping, showing flexibility and remaining calm under pressure are essential. It is essential that you are You will be able to deal calmly with academic, research, professional services staff, visitors and external contractors.

Applicants should have a level standard of education/NVQ level 3 vocational qualifications or equivalent level of practical experience. You should be able to demonstrate factual and theoretical knowledge in custodial work.

This full-time position requires the post-holder to work on-site Monday - Friday, and availability for attendance for out-of-hours work may be necessary on occasions As an employee, you will have access to a range of excellent University of Cambridge benefits, including a generous holiday allowance, comprehensive maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave entitlement, various family-friendly schemes (e.g., workplace nurseries), an auto-enrolment pension scheme with a generous employer contribution, shopping discounts at over 2,000 local and national stores, the opportunity to participate in the cycle-to-work scheme, access to University of Cambridge training and many more.

If you have the skills, experience and personality to succeed in this role we would be delighted to hear from you.

Informal conversations are welcomed. Please contact Glyn Theobald ¿ Building Services Manager (gt465@cam.ac.uk) to hear more about this role.

For more details please refer to the Further Information below.

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

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

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

We particularly welcome applications from women and candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our University.

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

If you have any queries regarding the application process please contact Anastasia Nezhentseva.

Email: an286@cam.ac.uk Telephone: (0)1223 330117

Please quote reference PF43587 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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

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

We are looking for a proactive and self-motivated individual to join our in-house Facilities team as Building Services Technician at the Department of Zoology.

Located in the heart of Cambridge, the Zoology Department is a thriving, friendly and dynamic community of researchers, students, professional services staff and visitors who are passionate about exploring the wonders of the natural world. The department of Zoology are based across five buildings that include teaching areas, labs and offices as well as the Museum of Zoology mainly in Central Cambridge. We offer a welcoming work environment where you will feel valued, are encouraged to develop, and supported to achieve your full potential.

The purpose of the position is to carry out general maintenance tasks, testing and porterage, and to undertake reactive and planned works, ensuring the highest possible standards are achieved.

This varied and rewarding role will require good knowledge of building maintenance and alarm systems The role holder will work closely with the Building Services Team, Estates Division and specialist contractors. You will also provide suitable cover for the Building Services Manager in times of their absence.

You will have a customer focused approach, ideally, have worked in a similar role and will be IT literate, although training will be given in the use specific systems. Experience working in the University or in a laboratory setting would be advantageous, but it is not a requirement. You will have technical aptitude and the ability to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team. Good communication skills, excellent time keeping, showing flexibility and remaining calm under pressure are essential. It is essential that you are You will be able to deal calmly with academic, research, professional services staff, visitors and external contractors.

Applicants should have a level standard of education/NVQ level 3 vocational qualifications or equivalent level of practical experience. You should be able to demonstrate factual and theoretical knowledge in custodial work.

This full-time position requires the post-holder to work on-site Monday - Friday, and availability for attendance for out-of-hours work may be necessary on occasions As an employee, you will have access to a range of excellent University of Cambridge benefits, including a generous holiday allowance, comprehensive maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave entitlement, various family-friendly schemes (e.g., workplace nurseries), an auto-enrolment pension scheme with a generous employer contribution, shopping discounts at over 2,000 local and national stores, the opportunity to participate in the cycle-to-work scheme, access to University of Cambridge training and many more.

If you have the skills, experience and personality to succeed in this role we would be delighted to hear from you.

Informal conversations are welcomed. Please contact Glyn Theobald ¿ Building Services Manager (gt465@cam.ac.uk) to hear more about this role.

For more details please refer to the Further Information below.

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

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

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

We particularly welcome applications from women and candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our University.

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

If you have any queries regarding the application process please contact Anastasia Nezhentseva.

Email: an286@cam.ac.uk Telephone: (0)1223 330117

Please quote reference PF43587 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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

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

With up to one million species facing extinction, Professor William Sutherland is using what he knows to help stop biodiversity loss. Because nature can’t wait.

With up to one million species facing extinction, Professor William Sutherland is using what he knows to help stop biodiversity loss. Because nature can’t wait.

This landmark achievement has been conducted by the FlyWire Consortium, a large international collaboration including researchers from the University of Cambridge, the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, Princeton University, and the University of Vermont. It is published today in two papers in the journal Nature.

The diagram of all 139,255 neurons in the adult fly brain is the first of an entire brain for an animal that can walk and see. Previous efforts have completed the whole brain diagrams for much smaller brains, for example a fruit fly larva which has 3,016 neurons, and a nematode worm which has 302 neurons.

The researchers say the whole fly brain map is a key first step to completing larger brains. Since the fruit fly is a common tool in research, its brain map can be used to advance our understanding of how neural circuits work.

Dr Gregory Jefferis, from the University of Cambridge and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, one of the co-leaders of the research, said: “If we want to understand how the brain works, we need a mechanistic understanding of how all the neurons fit together and let you think. For most brains we have no idea how these networks function. 

“Flies can do all kinds of complicated things like walk, fly, navigate, and the males sing to the females. Brain wiring diagrams are a first step towards understanding everything we’re interested in – how we control our movement, answer the telephone, or recognise a friend.”

Dr Mala Murthy from Princeton University, one of the co-leaders of the research, said: “We have made the entire database open and freely available to all researchers. We hope this will be transformative for neuroscientists trying to better understand how a healthy brain works. In the future we hope that it will be possible to compare what happens when things go wrong in our brains, for example in mental health conditions.” 

Dr Marta Costa from the University of Cambridge, who was also involved in the research, said “This brain map, the biggest so far, has only been possible thanks to technical advances that didn’t seem possible ten years ago. It is a true testament to the way that innovation can drive research forward. The next steps will be to generate even bigger maps, such as a mouse brain, and ultimately, a human one.”

The scientists found that there were substantial similarities between the wiring in this map and previous smaller-scale efforts to map out parts of the fly brain. This led the researchers to conclude that there are many similarities in wiring between individual brains – that each brain isn’t a unique structure.

When comparing their brain diagram to previous diagrams of small areas of the brain, the researchers also found that about 0.5% of neurons have developmental variations that could cause connections between neurons to be mis-wired. The researchers say it will be important to understand, through future research, if these changes are linked to individuality or brain disorders. 

Making the map

3D rendering of all 140,000 neurons in the fruit fly brain. 3D rendering of all ~140k neurons in the fruit fly brain. Credit: Data source FlyWire.ai; Rendering by Philipp Schlegel (University of Cambridge/MRC LMB).

A whole fly brain is less than one millimetre wide. The researchers started with one female brain cut into seven thousand slices, each only 40 nanometres thick, that were previously scanned using high resolution electron microscopy in the laboratory of project co-leader Davi Bock at Janelia Research Campus in the US.

Analysing over 100 terabytes of image data (equivalent to the storage in 100 typical laptops) to extract the shapes of about 140,000 neurons and 50 million connections between them is too big a challenge for humans to complete manually. The researchers built on AI developed at Princeton University to identify and map neurons and their connections to each other.

However, the AI still makes many errors in datasets of this size. The Princeton University researchers established the FlyWire Consortium – made up of teams in more than 76 laboratories and 287 researchers around the world, as well as volunteers from the general public – which spent an estimated 33 person-years painstakingly proofreading all the data.

Dr Sebastian Seung, from Princeton University, who was one of the co-leaders of the research, said: “Mapping the whole brain has been made possible by advances in AI computing - it would have not been possible to reconstruct the entire wiring diagram manually. This is a display of how AI can move neuroscience forward. The fly brain is a milestone on our way to reconstructing a wiring diagram of a whole mouse brain.”

The researchers also annotated many details on the wiring diagram, such as classifying more than 8,000 cell types across the brain. This allows researchers to select particular systems within the brain for further study, such as the neurons involved in sight or movement. 

Dr Philipp Schlegel, the first author of one of the studies, from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, said: “This dataset is a bit like Google Maps but for brains: the raw wiring diagram between neurons is like knowing which structures on satellite images of the Earth correspond to streets and buildings. Annotating neurons is like adding the names for streets and towns, business opening times, phone numbers and reviews to the map – you need both for it to be really useful.”

Simulating brain function

This is also the first whole brain wiring map – often called a connectome – to predict the function of all the connections between neurons. 

Neurons use electrical signals to send messages. Each neuron can have hundreds of branches that connect it to other neurons. The points where these branches meet and transmit signals between neurons are called synapses. There are two main ways that neurons communicate across synapses: excitatory (which promotes the continuation of the electrical signal in the receiving neuron), or inhibitory (which reduces the likelihood that the next neuron will transmit signals).

Researchers from the team used AI image scanning technology to predict whether each synapse was inhibitory or excitatory.

Dr Gregory Jefferis added: “To begin to simulate the brain digitally, we need to know not only the structure of the brain, but also how the neurons function to turn each other on and off.”

“Using our data, which has been shared online as we worked, other scientists have already started trying to simulate how the fly brain responds to the outside world. This is an important start, but we will need to collect many different kinds of data to produce reliable simulations of how a brain functions.”

Associate Professor Davi Bock, one of the co-leaders of the research from the University of Vermont, said: “The hyper-detail of electron microscopy data creates its own challenges, especially at scale. This team wrote sophisticated software algorithms to identify patterns of cell structure and connectivity within all that detail. 

“We now can make precise synaptic level maps and use these to better understand cell types and circuit structure at whole-brain scale. This will inevitably lead to a deeper understanding of how nervous systems process, store and recall information. I think this approach points the way forward for the analysis of future whole-brain connectomes, in the fly as well as in other species."

This research was conducted using a female fly brain. Since there are differences in neuronal structure between male and female fly brains, the researchers also plan to characterise a male brain in the future. 

The principal funders were the National Institutes of Health BRAIN Initiative, Wellcome, Medical Research Council, Princeton University and National Science Foundation.

References

Schlegel, P. et al: Whole-brain annotation and multi-connectome cell typing of Drosophila. Nature, Oct 2024. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07686-5

Dorkenwald, S. et al: Neuronal wiring diagram of an adult brain. Nature, Oct 2024. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07558-y

 

The first wiring diagram of every neuron in an adult brain and the 50 million connections between them has been produced for a fruit fly.

Brain wiring diagrams are a first step towards understanding everything we’re interested in – how we control our movement, answer the telephone, or recognise a friend.Gregory Jefferis The first complete map of every neuron in an adult fly brain. FlyWire.ai; Rendering by Philipp Schlegel (University of Cambridge/MRC LMB). 3D rendering of all 140,000 neurons in the adult fruit fly brain.

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.

YesLicence type: Attribution-Noncommerical

This landmark achievement has been conducted by the FlyWire Consortium, a large international collaboration including researchers from the University of Cambridge, the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, Princeton University, and the University of Vermont. It is published today in two papers in the journal Nature.

The diagram of all 139,255 neurons in the adult fly brain is the first of an entire brain for an animal that can walk and see. Previous efforts have completed the whole brain diagrams for much smaller brains, for example a fruit fly larva which has 3,016 neurons, and a nematode worm which has 302 neurons.

The researchers say the whole fly brain map is a key first step to completing larger brains. Since the fruit fly is a common tool in research, its brain map can be used to advance our understanding of how neural circuits work.

Dr Gregory Jefferis, from the University of Cambridge and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, one of the co-leaders of the research, said: “If we want to understand how the brain works, we need a mechanistic understanding of how all the neurons fit together and let you think. For most brains we have no idea how these networks function. 

“Flies can do all kinds of complicated things like walk, fly, navigate, and the males sing to the females. Brain wiring diagrams are a first step towards understanding everything we’re interested in – how we control our movement, answer the telephone, or recognise a friend.”

Dr Mala Murthy from Princeton University, one of the co-leaders of the research, said: “We have made the entire database open and freely available to all researchers. We hope this will be transformative for neuroscientists trying to better understand how a healthy brain works. In the future we hope that it will be possible to compare what happens when things go wrong in our brains, for example in mental health conditions.” 

Dr Marta Costa from the University of Cambridge, who was also involved in the research, said “This brain map, the biggest so far, has only been possible thanks to technical advances that didn’t seem possible ten years ago. It is a true testament to the way that innovation can drive research forward. The next steps will be to generate even bigger maps, such as a mouse brain, and ultimately, a human one.”

The scientists found that there were substantial similarities between the wiring in this map and previous smaller-scale efforts to map out parts of the fly brain. This led the researchers to conclude that there are many similarities in wiring between individual brains – that each brain isn’t a unique structure.

When comparing their brain diagram to previous diagrams of small areas of the brain, the researchers also found that about 0.5% of neurons have developmental variations that could cause connections between neurons to be mis-wired. The researchers say it will be important to understand, through future research, if these changes are linked to individuality or brain disorders. 

Making the map

3D rendering of all 140,000 neurons in the fruit fly brain. 3D rendering of all ~140k neurons in the fruit fly brain. Credit: Data source FlyWire.ai; Rendering by Philipp Schlegel (University of Cambridge/MRC LMB).

A whole fly brain is less than one millimetre wide. The researchers started with one female brain cut into seven thousand slices, each only 40 nanometres thick, that were previously scanned using high resolution electron microscopy in the laboratory of project co-leader Davi Bock at Janelia Research Campus in the US.

Analysing over 100 terabytes of image data (equivalent to the storage in 100 typical laptops) to extract the shapes of about 140,000 neurons and 50 million connections between them is too big a challenge for humans to complete manually. The researchers built on AI developed at Princeton University to identify and map neurons and their connections to each other.

However, the AI still makes many errors in datasets of this size. The Princeton University researchers established the FlyWire Consortium – made up of teams in more than 76 laboratories and 287 researchers around the world, as well as volunteers from the general public – which spent an estimated 33 person-years painstakingly proofreading all the data.

Dr Sebastian Seung, from Princeton University, who was one of the co-leaders of the research, said: “Mapping the whole brain has been made possible by advances in AI computing - it would have not been possible to reconstruct the entire wiring diagram manually. This is a display of how AI can move neuroscience forward. The fly brain is a milestone on our way to reconstructing a wiring diagram of a whole mouse brain.”

The researchers also annotated many details on the wiring diagram, such as classifying more than 8,000 cell types across the brain. This allows researchers to select particular systems within the brain for further study, such as the neurons involved in sight or movement. 

Dr Philipp Schlegel, the first author of one of the studies, from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, said: “This dataset is a bit like Google Maps but for brains: the raw wiring diagram between neurons is like knowing which structures on satellite images of the Earth correspond to streets and buildings. Annotating neurons is like adding the names for streets and towns, business opening times, phone numbers and reviews to the map – you need both for it to be really useful.”

Simulating brain function

This is also the first whole brain wiring map – often called a connectome – to predict the function of all the connections between neurons. 

Neurons use electrical signals to send messages. Each neuron can have hundreds of branches that connect it to other neurons. The points where these branches meet and transmit signals between neurons are called synapses. There are two main ways that neurons communicate across synapses: excitatory (which promotes the continuation of the electrical signal in the receiving neuron), or inhibitory (which reduces the likelihood that the next neuron will transmit signals).

Researchers from the team used AI image scanning technology to predict whether each synapse was inhibitory or excitatory.

Dr Gregory Jefferis added: “To begin to simulate the brain digitally, we need to know not only the structure of the brain, but also how the neurons function to turn each other on and off.”

“Using our data, which has been shared online as we worked, other scientists have already started trying to simulate how the fly brain responds to the outside world. This is an important start, but we will need to collect many different kinds of data to produce reliable simulations of how a brain functions.”

Associate Professor Davi Bock, one of the co-leaders of the research from the University of Vermont, said: “The hyper-detail of electron microscopy data creates its own challenges, especially at scale. This team wrote sophisticated software algorithms to identify patterns of cell structure and connectivity within all that detail. 

“We now can make precise synaptic level maps and use these to better understand cell types and circuit structure at whole-brain scale. This will inevitably lead to a deeper understanding of how nervous systems process, store and recall information. I think this approach points the way forward for the analysis of future whole-brain connectomes, in the fly as well as in other species."

This research was conducted using a female fly brain. Since there are differences in neuronal structure between male and female fly brains, the researchers also plan to characterise a male brain in the future. 

The principal funders were the National Institutes of Health BRAIN Initiative, Wellcome, Medical Research Council, Princeton University and National Science Foundation.

References

Schlegel, P. et al: Whole-brain annotation and multi-connectome cell typing of Drosophila. Nature, Oct 2024. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07686-5

Dorkenwald, S. et al: Neuronal wiring diagram of an adult brain. Nature, Oct 2024. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07558-y

 

The first wiring diagram of every neuron in an adult brain and the 50 million connections between them has been produced for a fruit fly.

Brain wiring diagrams are a first step towards understanding everything we’re interested in – how we control our movement, answer the telephone, or recognise a friend.Gregory Jefferis The first complete map of every neuron in an adult fly brain. FlyWire.ai; Rendering by Philipp Schlegel (University of Cambridge/MRC LMB). 3D rendering of all 140,000 neurons in the adult fruit fly brain.

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.

YesLicence type: Attribution-Noncommerical

image: Chaffinch in vineyard. photo by Natalie Zielonka Increased bird sound diversity in vineyards enhances visitor' tour experience A new research paper, conducted by University of East Anglia and Professor Lynn Dicks from Cambridge University's Zoology Department, has found that a larger level of bird song diversity...

We invite applications for a postdoctoral Research Associate position to join the Ancient Antibodies project in the Department of Zoology, located in central Cambridge. The appointment will be for a period of 18 months, starting in January 2025.

The research focus is to design and develop laboratory methods to retrieve ancient human and viral proteins from ancient human skeletal remains and archaeological materials (e.g. pots). This position will focus on in silico digestion predictions of common human viruses using multiple enzymes followed by validation of predictions in the lab using established and experimental palaeo proteomic techniques. The project position is funded by the UKRI EPSRC with a preferred start date of 1 January 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

You will work directly with the PI of the project and occasionally with visiting students and remote team members from other projects. As this position is time limited and in the first three months of the project, the PI will be away from the project, you will need to be highly motivated and independent to quickly develop a good understanding of the nature of the data and the project's scientific aims. There will be opportunities to contribute to training new team members and to general project management, as well as to participate in public engagement activities.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 18 months in the first instance.

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

Flexible working requests will be considered.

We particularly welcome applications from women and candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our University.

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

If you have any queries regarding the application process please contact Anastasia Nezhentseva.

Email: an286@cam.ac.uk Telephone: (0)1223 330117

Please quote reference PF43458 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 position to join the Ancient Antibodies project in the Department of Zoology, located in central Cambridge. The appointment will be for a period of 18 months, starting in January 2025.

The research focus is to design and develop laboratory methods to retrieve ancient human and viral proteins from ancient human skeletal remains and archaeological materials (e.g. pots). This position will focus on in silico digestion predictions of common human viruses using multiple enzymes followed by validation of predictions in the lab using established and experimental palaeo proteomic techniques. The project position is funded by the UKRI EPSRC with a preferred start date of 1 January 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

You will work directly with the PI of the project and occasionally with visiting students and remote team members from other projects. As this position is time limited and in the first three months of the project, the PI will be away from the project, you will need to be highly motivated and independent to quickly develop a good understanding of the nature of the data and the project's scientific aims. There will be opportunities to contribute to training new team members and to general project management, as well as to participate in public engagement activities.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 18 months in the first instance.

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

Flexible working requests will be considered.

We particularly welcome applications from women and candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our University.

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

If you have any queries regarding the application process please contact Anastasia Nezhentseva.

Email: an286@cam.ac.uk Telephone: (0)1223 330117

Please quote reference PF43458 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 looking for an exciting, challenging and varied role to advance your career in Higher Education administration at Cambridge University?

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a two-year Deputy Departmental Administrator to join our amazing team at the Department of Zoology. If you are looking to support teaching and research, seize new opportunities and prepare for future challenges, then Zoology is the place for you.

We are looking for an experienced administrator who can make a significant contribution and is willing to muck in, across a broad range of activities. This is a hands-on role which involves the delivery and development of operational and strategic priorities, in close collaboration with the Departmental Administrator, developing local policies and procedures and leading projects.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee research grant activity in the department, including donations for research and other philanthropic giving. The successful candidate will play an active role in the management of research grant funding and will oversee research grant related HR administration, including the recruitment, induction and mentoring processes.

• Oversee the return to full IT services in Zoology. Manage the new IT support agreement to ensure that the provision of IT support is meeting departmental needs.

• Be responsible for some day-to-day administrative activities and processes as agreed with the Departmental Administrator and Head of Department. We are looking for someone to work with us to develop, review and implement improved administrative structures and systems and to actively manage the impact of various transformation programmes.

• Lead on communications and alumni activities. Provide help as required to support excellence in teaching, working closely with the Teaching Manager and Deputy Heads of Department for undergraduate and postgraduate education. Support several departmental committees and work on various ad hoc projects as required.

About you

The successful candidate will be a great team player, with superb interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, at all levels of seniority. You will have excellent planning and organisational skills, combined with an attention to detail, a capacity to initiate work independently and a willingness to problem solve and engage directly with specific tasks.

The role holder will be educated to at least degree level (or have equivalent experience). You will need to be flexible, well organised and able to handle new and unusual situations as they arise. Applicants will be required to demonstrate the ability to meet deadlines, to forward plan, to prioritise and organise tasks successfully. You should have experience in management and administration in a complex organisation and skills in team leadership, resource management, problem-solving and planning.

This role is based in central Cambridge and the successful candidate will be expected to be based on site every day.

If you are interested in this role please contact Louise Balshaw, Departmental Administrator da@zoo.cam.ac.uk.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for a two year period

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

Flexible working requests will be considered.

We particularly welcome applications from 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 PF43350 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.