Academic ConnectDavid Sainsbury Career Development Fellow x 2
David Sainsbury Career Development Fellow x 2
Applications are invited for two David Sainsbury Career Development Fellowships in the Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University. The Fellowships provide an opportunity for imaginative junior investigators to develop their own research programme and become creative leaders in the field of quantitative plant developmental biology.
We welcome early-career scientists with experience ranging from experimental through to theoretical research, and who are motivated to collaborate across disciplines in quantitative plant development. Areas of interest include all aspects of organ development and plant morphogenesis, developmental plasticity, evo-devo, modelling of gene regulation, protein dynamics, signalling and metabolic pathways, computational morphodynamics, single molecule/cell imaging, systems or synthetic biology, and biophysics. Experience in using artificial intelligence methods, either directly or in collaborations, is beneficial but not essential.
The positions fit within the overarching goal of the Sainsbury Laboratory to develop a quantitative, dynamic and predictive understanding of plant development. Previous experience of plant sciences is not essential; however appointees must be committed to addressing problems in quantitative plant development and engaging fully in the Sainsbury Laboratory's collaborative research environment.
The Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University is a basic research institute located in central Cambridge, providing an outstanding scientific environment. It has excellent resources and core facilities, with state-of-the-art equipment including growth rooms, glasshouses, microscopy and computing facilities. It provides a collaborative research atmosphere where researchers can take risks in a supportive environment. We are seeking to appoint David Sainsbury Career Development Fellows who can both contribute to and benefit from this environment. Applicants from all nationalities are welcome and will typically have postdoctoral experience in a field related to the overall scientific focus of the Laboratory. They should be able to provide strong evidence of their potential to develop an independent research programme.
The Fellowship is for five years. Successful applicants will initially receive three years of funding, with a likely extension for a further two years contingent upon a successful progress assessment. Funding includes a full salary ranging from £61,619 to £77,955, a generous benefits pension and £72,000 p.a. of unrestricted research support. Fellows will be encouraged and supported to apply for external funding.
The Laboratory provides a welcoming and collaborative environment with a wide range of family-friendly benefits and development opportunities. More about the Sainsbury Laboratory and details of what the University offers to employees, can be found at http://www.slcu.cam.ac.uk/.
Please ensure that you upload your application as a single pdf file including a full CV, a research proposal for five years, and the names of at least three referees.
Successful candidates are expected to relocate and live in Cambridge or within commutable distance.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 5 years.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
All enquiries should be directed to enquiries@slcu.cam.ac.uk.
Please quote reference PT48190 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.
Key information
Department/location
Salary
£61,619-£77,955
Reference
PT48190
Category
Date published
10 December 2025
Closing date
30 January 2026
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