Research Associate (Fixed Term)

A postdoctoral Research Associate post is available with Professor Stephen Montgomery's Research Group in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge.

This position is part of a recently awarded Wellcome Trust Discovery grant on the developmental control of neural cell number and type. The applicant will work on understanding the evolution of neural circuits associated with a major expansion of the insect learning and memory centre, the mushroom bodies, in Heliconius butterflies.

The principal aim for this post is to develop methodologies to map and analyse, whole brain projectomes, quantifying patterns of connectivity and cell morphologies across closely related species with divergent neural morphologies. The approach may include a combination of spatial transcriptomics, immunohistochemistry, and nanotomography. A very strong background in quantitative analysis and established skills in bioimaging and/or molecular biology will be essential, and prior experience with, or demonstrable interest in, insect neurobiology is highly desirable.

The successful candidate will join a productive and supportive team based in Zoology, alongside researchers with complementary expertise in bioinformatics, development, neuroscience and behaviour. There will be opportunities for collaboration across the project, and close teamwork and a collaborative spirit will be essential. The successful applicant will also be expected to demonstrate scientific independence matching their technical expertise while perusing their own, specific objectives. There will be opportunities to contribute to training new team members and to general project management, as well as to participate in public engagement and community-orientated activities. The successful applicant will have a dedicated training budget and a supportive and engaged supervision team.

For more information, please refer to the Further Particulars document.

Deadline for applications is midnight, 7 June 2026. Interviews are due to be conducted in the week commencing 6 July 2026 (subject to change)

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for up to 48 months in the first instance.

Flexible working arrangements 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 University.

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: Professor Stephen Montgomery shm37@cam.ac.uk

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Paulina Lasocka or Anastasia Nezhentseva hr@zoo.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PF49578 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.

Apply online

Key information

Department/location
Department of Zoology

Salary
£37,694-£46,049

Reference
PF49578

Category
Research

Date published
6 May 2026

Closing date
7 June 2026