"Oppenheimer Research Fellow (Fixed Term)"

Applications are invited for an Ernest Oppenheimer Early Career Research Fellowship to be held at Cambridge University in Colloid Science, as broadly interpreted within the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, materials science and engineering. These Fellowships are intended to provide an opportunity for independent research, though the holders usually work in collaboration with an established research group. Applications are encouraged from researchers who will have completed a PhD by 1 October 2026 and have normally spent not more than three years after a PhD viva or defense in post-doctoral research by 1 October 2026.

The post will be based in Cambridge in an appropriate department.

Tenure is for three years commencing from 1 October 2026. The stipend range is £37,694 - £46,049 p.a. Automatic annual increments will go up to Single Salary Spine point 48 only. A contribution may be made towards relocation expenses, and up to £25k p.a. will be made available for research expenses.

The Oppenheimer Fellowship cannot be held concurrently with any other paid position, or position which would normally attract a stipend.

Please refer to the Further Information document (the Application Process section) for details on how to complete an application for this Fellowship.

Please ensure that you clearly explain in your application how your research proposal relates to colloid science.

Please include, in the online application form, the names, addresses and e-mail addresses of two persons (only) who are willing to give a confidential assessment of your research to the Committee of Management; at least one of these should be an external referee. Please ask these two referees to write direct to the Acting Secretary, Georgina Fuller, at PhysicalSciences@admin.cam.ac.uk by the closing date of 6 January 2026.

The References section of the online application form gives an option regarding the stage at which referees are contacted. Please note that, as outlined above, both references need to be sent to PhysicalSciences@admin.cam.ac.uk by the closing date of 6 January 2026.

Please note that a security check may be required, depending on your research area.

The Committee of Management hopes to make a decision by the middle of February 2025.

A list of projects recently funded is available. To request this list, please write to Georgina Fuller at PhysicalSciences@admin.cam.ac.uk.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Georgina Fuller at PhysicalSciences@admin.cam.ac.uk or to the Departmental Administrator at the Department in which you hope to work.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above.

Please quote reference LA47805 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.