"Fellowship Sponsorship for New Group Leaders"

Job Details

The Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR) invites applications from postdoctoral researchers interested in sponsorship for career development fellowships that enable the establishment of an independent research group. Such schemes include but are not limited to: Wellcome Career Development Award, MRC Career Development Award, Royal Society University Research Fellowship and ERC Starting Grant. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to visit the institute to deliver a seminar and participate in a chalk talk, presenting their research plans to the Director and group leaders. This process is designed to ensure transparent, inclusive and fair selection.

About the opportunity

The mission of CIMR is to connect the fine details of cellular and molecular biology with the big picture of human disease. By linking molecules, mechanisms and medicine, our discoveries in fundamental biology inform the understanding of human disease and drive therapeutic advances. We are therefore seeking enthusiastic scientists with an outstanding track record in elucidating molecular mechanisms, who are committed to contributing to our positive, collaborative and inclusive research environment. Research plans must complement CIMR's interlinked research themes: protein folding and quality control, membrane trafficking and organelle biology, with a focus on rare genetic diseases, neurological diseases or intracellular infections.

What we offer

Successful applicants will be advised and mentored, including mock interviews, to help develop a competitive application for late 2026 or early 2027. Candidates who gain an award will be provided with research space for the award's duration, a local mentor, and access to PhD and MPhil students.

How to apply

Applications (CV and an outline of the proposed research area, max. 3 pages) should be submitted to Sara Asbury (director-pa@cam.ac.uk) by 9th April 2026. Informal enquiries should be directed to Prof Julian Rayner, Director of CIMR (director@cam.ac.uk). Successful candidates will be notified by early May 2026, and the seminar and chalk talk will be scheduled in late May – June 2026.

About us

CIMR is part of the University of Cambridge’s School of Clinical Medicine, housed in a purpose-built research building on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. We are a multidisciplinary, cross-departmental research institute that brings together talented fundamental and clinical researchers in a highly collaborative and supportive environment. Laboratory space is split across 3 floors of the research building and 26 research groups. Our researchers work alongside NHS clinicians, patients, industry and international research partners in Africa and Asia. We leverage our state-of-the-art core facilities (flow cytometry, microscopy, proteomics and structural biology) to address important problems and find solutions that will improve patient outcomes.