The Kavli Institute for Cosmology, Cambridge is offering a Kavli Institute Fellowship or Senior Fellowship in the areas of cosmology and astrophysics. These are prestigious independent research fellowships, for three years in the first instance, with the possibility of two further years (subject to funding) if appointed to a Senior Fellowship.
Applicants must have a PhD in astrophysics, or a related field, or have submitted their PhD thesis by the start date of the fellowship. We welcome applications from instrumentalists, observers and theorists with interests relevant to one or more of the following scientific themes of the Kavli Institute (see http://www.kicc.cam.ac.uk): the cosmic microwave background and the early Universe; the formation and evolution of galaxies and of supermassive black holes; the epoch of cosmic reionization; evolution of the intergalactic medium; the nature of dark matter; large-scale structure and precision cosmology; compact objects, gravitational waves and multi-messenger astrophysics; and the development of new instrumentation, facilities, and analysis techniques that enable progress in these areas.
The Kavli Institute brings together astrophysicists and cosmologists from three departments across the University of Cambridge - the Institute of Astronomy (IoA), Cavendish Astrophysics (Department of Physics), and the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP). We provide an exceptionally lively and stimulating scientific environment, welcoming over 100 international visitors each year, hosting prestigious Kavli Lectures and international conferences, and bridging the gap between departments to advance our understanding of the Universe, from the Big Bang to local galaxies.
Successful applicants will be expected to build an independent research program but will have many opportunities for collaborative work with members of the Kavli Institute. They will disseminate and deliver their research through appropriate outputs, which may include publications, presentations, software, datasets, instrumentation, and enabling technologies. Successful applicants will have opportunities to participate in the Institute's public-engagement activities, assist with the research supervision of graduate students, and to contribute to undergraduate- and graduate-level teaching. Applicants should demonstrate the ability to communicate their research effectively and to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
Salary will be either on the Research Associate scale (grade 7, from £37,694 to £46,049) if appointed as Kavli Institute Fellow or, for exceptional and established researchers, on the Assistant Research Professor scale (grade 9, from £47,389 to £59,966) if appointed as Kavli Institute Senior Fellow.
A research allowance of £10,000 per annum will be provided. A generous relocation package will also be available. Further benefits of University employment are outlined at http://www.induction.admin.cam.ac.uk/. Fellows will have access to the broad research environment across KICC's parent departments, including relevant expertise, facilities, technical support, computing resources, laboratories, and collaborative networks as appropriate to their research programme. Depending on the proposed work and subject to the relevant approval and funding processes, fellows may also seek additional project or equipment support beyond the standard annual research allowance.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
The University has several family-friendly policies and initiatives, including a returning-carer scheme, childcare costs support, University workplace nurseries, University holiday play-schemes, and a shared parental-leave policy. As part of its commitment to providing a family friendly environment for researchers, the Kavli Institute ensures that should parental leave be needed during the course of employment, there is provision for extension to contract to compensate for the parental leave taken.
Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), cover letter, publications list and research statement (three A4 pages maximum, including references, in 11pt font) in the Upload section of the online application. The names and contact details of three academic referees are a necessary part of the submission. Referees will be contacted following an application, but applicants are strongly advised to prepare nominated referees for the need to provide references by 20 October 2026.
Please note in your cover letter whether you wish to be considered for a Kavli Institute Fellowship or a Kavli Institute Senior Fellowship, and ensure to include which of the following broad research area(s) best describe your proposed programme:
- Cosmic microwave background and the early Universe
- Large-scale structure and precision cosmology
- Dark matter and fundamental physics
- First galaxies, cosmic dawn, and reionization
- Galaxy formation and evolution across cosmic time
- Supermassive black holes and AGN galaxy co-evolution
- Compact objects, gravitational waves and multi-messenger astrophysics
- Astrophysical simulations, theory, and numerical modelling
- Instrumentation, detectors, facilities, and data-intensive astrophysics
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to: kavlisec@ast.cam.ac.uk. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact hr@phy.cam.ac.uk.
Please quote reference KA50918 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.