"Research Associate in Low-Dimensional Topology (Fixed Term)"

University of Cambridge - Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics

Location: Cambridge

Salary: £37,694 to £46,049

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 20th October 2025

Closes: 15th December 2025

Job Ref: LF47636

A position exists for a Post Doctoral Research Associate in the Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics to join the team of Dr. Sungkyung Kang and work on any aspect of low-dimensional topology. This position is funded by the Royal Society University Research Fellowship Instability of exotic 4-manifolds and diffeomorphisms.

Duties include developing and conducting individual and collaborative research objectives, proposals and projects. The role holder will be expected to plan and manage their own research and administration, with guidance if required. You must be able to communicate material of a technical nature and be able to build internal and external contacts. You may be asked to assist in the supervision of student projects, the development of student research skills, provide instruction or plan/deliver seminars relating to the research area.

The successful candidate will have (or expect to soon be awarded) a PhD degree in mathematics and experience in any aspect of low-dimensional topology. Expertise in knot homology theories, such as Heegaard Floer and Khovanov homology, and gauge theories, such as Seiberg-Witten theory, is desirable but not essential.

Informal inquiries can be made by contacting Assistant Professor Sungkyung Kang at sk2431@cam.ac.uk

If you have any queries about the application process, please email: LF47636@maths.cam.ac.uk

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance, and the post may, subject to the availability of funding, be further renewed for a two-year period.

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

Please indicate the contact details of two academic referees (including contact email address) on the online application form and upload a full curriculum vitae and a description of your recent and planned research (not to exceed three pages). Please ensure that at least one of your referees is contactable at any time during the selection process and is made aware that they will be contacted by the Mathematics HR Office Administrator to request that they upload a reference for you to our Web Recruitment System; and please encourage them to do so promptly.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. We particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our Department.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.