"Secondment Opportunity: Deputy Director"

Applications are invited from academics working in any branch of the mathematical sciences for the role of Deputy Director of the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences. The secondment provides a unique opportunity for interacting with leading mathematical scientists from around the world and for supporting the academic leadership of an internationally renowned institute. The successful applicant will support the Director, currently Ulrike Tillmann FRS, in all matters connected with the Institute. The recruitment of a Director to succeed Professor Tillmann is underway with the new Director to start in October 2026.

The Institute is a key part of the UK's national mathematical sciences infrastructure. Well known internationally for its residential visitor programmes that span the whole of the mathematical sciences, recent initiatives such as incubating the Knowledge Exchange Hub, the Academy for the Mathematical Sciences, satellite programmes, INI retreats and a network support scheme, have greatly increased INI's support of the mathematical sciences community.

The Director and Deputy Director provide academic leadership, supported by a staff team in the Institute's dedicated building located alongside the University's Centre for Mathematical Sciences.

Applications are invited from academics based at UK higher education institutions who have broad experience of the national and international mathematical sciences community. The successful applicant will remain employed by their home institution (or department, if within the University of Cambridge) during the secondment and their current terms of employment shall remain unchanged, save as set out in the secondment agreement.

The Deputy Director will be expected to work from the Institute's offices at the University of Cambridge in a working pattern to be agreed with the Director. The level of buyout will be subject to negotiation with home institution/department of the successful applicant. Applicants from University of Cambridge employees who hold an established office will need to request leave in line with the University's Statutes and Ordinances.

The post is offered as a part-time secondment (from 50%), with a start date of 1 June 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter, for a fixed term of three years from appointment, with the possibility of a two-year extension.

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 can be directed to Professor Ulrike Tillmann at director@newton.ac.uk, or to Catherine Hurley, businessandoperationsmanager@newton.ac.uk.

Applications should include a cover letter addressing the person specification and your relevant experience, a full CV and publication list and the names of two academic referees. Interviews will be in person and are tentatively scheduled for 28 April 2026 (subject to confirmation).

Please quote reference LN48473 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.

Key information

• Department/location: Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences
• Salary: Buy-out negotiable based on experience (in range Grades 10 - 12)
• Reference: LN48473
• Category: Academic
• Date published: 14 January 2026
• Closing date: 31 March 2026

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