Postdoctoral Position Neural Mechanisms of Learning in Drosophila Larvae.

Our lab is dedicated to understanding the neural mechanisms underlying learning and behaviour in Drosophila larvae. The primary brain structure involved in learning in Drosophila is called the mushroom bodies, which is organized into multiple functional compartments. Our lab has recently published the full connectome of the larval brain, uncovering the complex and highly recurrent connectivity map of the mushroom bodies. In addition, previous work from our lab and others has shed light on basic rules of plasticity of some of the mushroom bodies' compartments. However, the precise functional role of each compartment remains largely unknown. This project aims to investigate learning in Drosophila larvae using natural odour paradigms. The successful candidate will employ a novel Y-maze behavioural setup to assess various learning protocols and determine how different experimental parameters influence learning performance. In parallel, the project will leverage a new imaging system to visualize activity and plasticity in mushroom body neurons in response to learning. By integrating behavioural assays with high-resolution neural imaging, this work seeks to provide deeper insight into how learning is compartmentalized within the mushroom bodies and how these circuits are modulated during experience-dependent plasticity.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will:

• - Hold a PhD in neurobiology or a related field.
• - Have demonstrated experience working with Drosophila, particularly in the context of behavioural learning assays.
• - Preferably have experience with Y-maze paradigms or similar behavioural set-ups.
• - Be proficient in microscopy techniques used for imaging neuronal activity or structure.
• - Have a strong engineering background and experience in coding to support, maintain, and further develop custom-built behavioural and imaging systems.
• - Be a motivated and interdisciplinary researcher who enjoys working at the interface of behaviour, neurobiology, and technology.

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

The closing date for applications is 25th September 2025.

Interviews a likely to take place in the week commencing Monday 6th October 2025 and may be conducted remotely under exceptional circumstances.

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: Dr Marta Zlatic [email: mz209@cam.ac.uk]

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Paulina Lasocka [email: pl585@cam.ac.uk]

Please quote reference PF47231 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.

Post Doctoral Research Associate in Neuroscience (Fixed Term)

Are you excited by the mechanisms of neurotransmission and behaviour and looking for a new opportunity? We are looking for an enthusiastic, inquisitive and motivated post-doctoral researcher to join the team in the Hardege lab in the Department of Zoology (https://www.hardege-lab.com/). The lab aims to understand how the function and diversity of neurotransmitter receptors is used to generate complex behaviours, including learning, in the small invertebrate model organism C. elegans.

We have recently discovered a range of novel dopamine receptors in C. elegans and found that different receptors are often expressed within a single neuron. This BBSRC-funded project aims to understand the interplay between excitatory and inhibitory metabotropic and ionotropic dopamine receptors and how they contribute to the regulation of complex behaviours.

This will involve a range of techniques including high resolution confocal microscopy to determine receptor localisation, behavioural analysis of C. elegans and computational modelling of the C. elegans neural network. The lab also uses Two Electrode Voltage Clamp (TEVC) electrophysiology and molecular biology techniques to characterise receptors. There are a broad range of training opportunities available, and you will also have the opportunity to mentor other lab members, attend scientific meetings and get involved in public engagement activities.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in a relevant area (or be close to completion) and a good understanding of neurotransmission and behaviour. We welcome applicants with experience in some of the following areas and with a desire to learn others: molecular biology, research using model system such as C. elegans, confocal imaging and computational analysis. We are also looking for someone who enjoys working both independently and collaboratively, values a supportive lab environment and possesses good communication and organisational skills.

This is an onsite post. We have funding available for a full-time 3-year contract, with a flexible start date starting between November 2025 and March 2026.

Please include a CV and cover letter (max. 2 pages) explaining why this role interests you and how your experience aligns with the candidate profile in the further particulars document, as well as the details of two referees.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive research environment and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We are also open to discussing part-time/flexible work arrangements to accommodate individual circumstances.

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: Dr Iris Hardege [email: ih287@cam.ac.uk]

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Paulina Lasocka [email: pl585@cam.ac.uk]

Please quote reference PF47153 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 seeking a motivated and collaborative colleague to join our team studying fundamental questions in neuroscience, by investigating neurotransmitter receptors using electrophysiology.

You will join the group of Dr Iris Hardege (https://www.hardege-lab.com/) in the Department of Zoology. We are studying the roles of novel neurotransmitter receptors in the biology of the nematode C. elegans. The group primarily uses analysis of C. elegans as well as molecular biology, genetics and electrophysiology using Xenopus oocytes.

You will be contributing to the smooth running of Dr Iris Hardege's group by providing technical support for research and by assisting with experiments. You will be responsible for performing electrophysiology experiments, analysing data and contributing to the operational running of the laboratory by training others.

The successful candidate should have:

• - Practical experience of laboratory research.
• - Experience performing Two Electrode Voltage Clamp using robotic equipment.
• - Experience of statistical analysis of electrophysiology data.
• - Educated to BSc level in a STEM subject (or equivalent practical experience).
• - Strong organisational and communication skills.
• - Attention to detail and good record keeping.
• - The ability to work independently and as part of a group.
• - An open-minded, positive, and collaborative mindset.

Please provide in your application under Suitability for the Role an explanation as to how you meet the job requirements and what you would bring to the group. Please include examples of technical experience, and/or specific technical training you have completed.

Flexible working requests will be considered. This is an onsite role.

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.

The closing date for applications is 15th September 2025.

Interviews are likely to be held in the week commencing Monday 22nd September 2025.

Please note: The University is unable to issue sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Visa route for this role as it does not meet the minimum salary requirements.

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: Dr Iris Hardege [email: ih287@cam.ac.uk]

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Paulina Lasocka [email: pl585@cam.ac.uk]

Please quote reference PF47022 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 Centre for Pathogen Evolution in the Department of Zoology, located in central Cambridge. The appointment will be for a period of two years with a possibility of extension subject to project status and funding.

The research focus is to design and develop analytical, computational, and mathematical methods to understand the fundamental processes that govern the evolution of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. The aim is to translate this understanding into the prediction of possible future antigenic variants to guide trials of next generation influenza and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Our research is highly interdisciplinary and involves substantial global collaboration with experimental virologists, immunologists and clinicians to quantify the selection pressures on influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses to better understand their evolutionary dynamics, and to inform control strategies. This position is funded by Medical Research Council, the start date of 1 October 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Please upload a copy of your CV (2 sides of A4 maximum) and a covering letter (2 sides of A4 maximum).

The closing date for applications is: 10th September 2025

Interviews are likely to be held in the week commencing Monday 15th September 2025, and may be conducted remotely.

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.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to: Dr Ana Mosterin Hopping [email: am688@cam.ac.uk]

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Paulina Lasocka [email: pl585@cam.ac.uk]

Please quote reference PF47078 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 an enthusiastic and positive individual to join the teaching team in the Department of Zoology as Teaching Office Assistant. You will make an important contribution to the effective administration and delivery of undergraduate education in the Department.

The Department of Zoology is one of the largest research and teaching departments in the University, with a final-year undergraduate class of about 90. The Department teaches on 10 courses within the undergraduate Natural Sciences Tripos and currently trains approximately 90 graduate students.

This is a busy and varied post, and the post-holder will play a key role in the smooth running of our Teaching Office. Our Teaching Office Assistant is the first point of contact for undergraduate enquiries, providing day-to-day support to students and academic colleagues. Reporting to the Teaching Manager, the successful candidate will support course and examination administration for Zoology's undergraduate courses in the Natural Sciences Tripos, including timetable administration, maintaining course-related Moodle sites, and overseeing coursework submissions and collating marks.

You will be a great team player with excellent communication, organisational and great time management skills. You should be proficient in standard software packages have an excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook). You will be willing and able to learn new systems and tools and also possess strong written and verbal communication skills. You should be capable of both working independently as well as collaboratively as part of a team. Previous experience in a responsible administrative role would be desirable

What can we offer you:

• Competitive rates of pay with automatic service-related pay progression and annual cost-of-living increases;

• Generous annual leave allowance;

• Generous maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave entitlements, and other family-friendly schemes (e.g., workplace nurseries);

• An auto-enrolment pension scheme, with a generous employer contribution;

• Travel benefits and retail discounts at over 2,000 local and national stores;

• Schemes to support relocation/provision of accommodation.

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 email Lizzie Burgess eab82@cam.ac.uk to learn more about this role.

For more details, please refer to the Further Information below.

The interviews are planned for the week commencing Monday, 22 September 2025.

Please note: The University is unable to issue sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Visa route for this role as it does not meet the minimum salary requirements.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check 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.

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 PF46982 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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

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

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research associate to join the group of Professor Andrew Balmford in the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge.

The successful candidate will lead research examining how to meet rising timber demands while protecting biodiversity, carbon storage, and ecosystem services from landscape to global scales. The PDRA will be responsible for collating and analyzing global field datasets from contrasting timber production systems in order to identify which landscape-level combinations of systems best balance biodiversity, carbon, and yield outcomes. They will also help coordinate and implement future field campaigns to fill key field data gaps.

Additionally, the successful candidate will be responsible for advancing cutting-edge methods for quantifying global extinction risks and climate impacts embedded within international wood trade networks, enabling robust attribution of environmental impacts from harvest to consumption. These will be used to generate data-driven insights into the environmental footprints of key wood industry actors, the potential effectiveness of policy interventions at multiple scales, and the comparative impacts of wood-related demand- and supply-side interventions.

As part of these efforts, the successful candidate will be expected to engage with other stakeholders to develop business-science alliances and initiatives for improving the environmental impacts of wood production over broad spatial scales.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• PhD in a forestry- or conservation-related discipline.
• Strong background in field survey design, statistical sampling and analysis of large, multi-taxa biodiversity datasets.
• Expertise in landscape-level biodiversity and production analyses using R, QGIS, Google Earth Engine.
• Extensive fieldwork experience, including managing data collection within multiple forestry systems.
• Ability to communicate research findings clearly in oral and written formats to collaborators and to work collaboratively with scientific, industry and government stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.

Desirable skills and knowledge

• Postdoctoral research in quantitative science related to forestry or conservation.
• Experience in forest conservation across tropical and temperate biomes.

The postholder will be based in the David Attenborough Building in Cambridge and will be expected to work on site at least three days per week.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for one year with a possibility of extension subject to project status and funding.

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 PF46869 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 Zoology seeks to appoint an Assistant Professor, on the Teaching and Scholarship Pathway, in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation. The Teaching and Scholarship Pathway is a relatively new career path for academics at Cambridge, weighted much more strongly towards teaching than towards research, but with the same scope for promotion as the more commonly used Research and Teaching Pathway. This is a new position and therefore available immediately.

The Department offers a vibrant, welcoming and intellectually stimulating academic community and the privilege of teaching highly engaged and committed undergraduates and postgraduates. The successful applicant for this position will have a PhD, formal pedagogical training, and recent experience in delivering outstanding University teaching. You will have proven commitment to excellence and innovation in teaching methods and assessment, including through lecturing, practicals and field courses. You will be well-versed in pedagogical thinking and capable of designing courses and lecture blocks from scratch. You will be able to teach on courses covering Ecology, Evolution and Conservation across all three undergraduate years, and at Masters level.

Our undergraduate teaching is undergoing an exciting transition. You will help us design new course structure and content, provide lectures and practicals and offer seminars or class discussions. You will also supervise undergraduate research projects and dissertations and contribute to field course organisation and teaching. You will be able to train MPhil students and will be involved in ongoing work in developing and delivering new Masters-level training. You will also facilitate University-led efforts to link University and college teaching more effectively.

Your research interests can be in any aspect of Ecology, Evolution and Conservation. They will ideally dovetail with ongoing research in the Department and, where needed, make use of our existing facilities and infrastructure. We seek collegiate applicants who are committed to fostering a positive and inclusive research culture and contributing to the effective functioning of our Department. Please ensure that in the upload section of the online application you provide: 1) A covering letter setting out why you are applying and how your experience and plans address the person specification in the further particulars (1000 words maximum). 2) A teaching statement, up to two pages, outlining your teaching experience and philosophy and any innovations you may wish to introduce. 3) A full CV, including a full list of publications. The Department is committed to the responsible use of bibliometrics and applicants are asked not to include raw citation counts, Journal Impact Factors or H-index metrics in their applications. 4) The names and contact details of three academic referees. They will only be contacted if you are shortlisted for interview.

We welcome informal enquiries, which should be directed to Professor Rebecca Kilner (Head of Department) (HOD@zoo.cam.ac.uk).

The closing date for applications is midnight (BST) on Sunday 7 September 2025.

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

Short-listed candidates will be notified in late September and invited to visit the Department in w/b 10 November 2025, to give an assessed lecture and attend a formal interview which is expected to take place in person. We expect the successful applicant to be in post by 1st October 2026 at the latest.

The Department and University are committed to a fostering an inclusive and diverse environment in a workplace that values and supports mutual respect and equality.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check and a security check.

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 PF46411 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 planning to submit a senior research fellowship* application for funding competitions with deadlines after March 2026?

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 our Department.

We offer a programme of support that will help you to establish you as an independent academic researcher, including assistance with your fellowship application, setting up your lab and recruiting personnel, as well as mentoring and training to help you develop your career. Research fellows will also have access to the comprehensive package of ongoing support available from the School of Biological Sciences https://www.bio.cam.ac.uk/research/research-fellowships.

We have an excellent track record in progressing our Senior Research Fellows into lectureships or equivalent positions at leading international universities and research institutes.

About the Department of Zoology

We are a thriving community of researchers investigating how animal life evolved, how it functions and persists today and how we can conserve it for future generations. The Department comprises more than 25 research groups, working at every level of biological organization from genes to ecosystems. We are keen to increase diversity in our academic staff and particularly encourage expressions of interest from women and BAME applicants.

Our dynamic intellectual environment includes the world-leading Cambridge Conservation Institute and University Museum of Zoology, and provides opportunities for collaboration in research themes that span the School of Biological Sciences (https://www.bio.cam.ac.uk/research/research-themes) and the wider university (https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/research-at-cambridge/strategic-research-initiatives-networks).

The School of Biological Sciences has state of the art facilities in imaging, high performance computing and bioinformatics. The Department's research strengths currently lie in behaviour and neuroscience, conservation science, ecology and all aspects of evolutionary biology.

How to apply for sponsorship

Please address informal enquires to the Head of Department Professor Rebecca Kilner hod@zoo.cam.ac.uk

To make an application, please download and complete the very short application form (https://shorturl.at/3KpGp) and send it with your publications list and contact details for two referees to admin@zoo.cam.ac.uk by 17:00 GMT on Sunday 9th November 2025. We will only contact you, and your referees, if you are shortlisted.

We will shortlist the fellowship applicants we would like to support by Monday 8th December 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the Department to meet the academic staff and give a seminar in the week beginning 12 January 2026.

*Target fellowship schemes include: ERC Starting / Consolidator Grant, The Wellcome Trust Career Development Awards, Royal Society University Research Fellowship, Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship, Branco-Weiss Research Fellowship.

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 PF46494 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.