Asst/Assoc Professor of Physics

University of Cambridge

United Kingdom

The Department of Physics invites applications for a University Assistant Professor / University Associate Professor position) in the area of Physics of Life.

The Department is looking for a talented early career scientist to promote and develop ambitious programme. The post will be based in the Department of Physics. Potential research topics include the physics of cell interactions, from single-cell to organs and population scale, lab-scale ecologies, quantitative systems biology, DNA nano/biotech-nologies, and the development of new technologies for cell growth, imaging or manipulation. The work should build on biological physics, soft matter or statistical physics and strengthen the long-term teaching and research directions in the department. (www.bss.phy.cam.ac.uk).

The successful candidate will have a world-class research record. We are particularly interested in applicants posing physics-rich research questions involving living systems. They would benefit from the state-of-the-art Physics of Medicine (PoM) laboratories, which enable research across a wide range of living systems. They would join a lively and stimulating biological physics community in the department who use the tools of physics to address questions and challenges in biology, medicine, soft matter physics, DNA nano- and bio-technology. The Department is licensed to work with human tissues on site and houses fully equipped laboratories to culture viral, microbial, plant and mammalian cells and tissues. Aside from cell culture facilities, PoM houses biochemistry and chemistry laboratories, a range of enclosed optics laboratories and a new microfluidic fabrication facility. The successful candidate would be expected to play a leading role in expanding the research activities in this area and would reinforce the links between physical and biomedical departments across the wider University.

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree and a PhD in physics (or a cognate discipline), a strong record of relevant research, and must show evidence of enthusiasm and ability to teach a wide range of physics courses successfully at both undergraduates and master's level. This work will include the delivery of existing courses, and the development of new teaching materials, lecture courses, examinations and laboratory classes.

The Department is active in promoting policies to address historic under-representation of women and minority groups in its workforce. We are proud to hold an Athena-SWAN Silver Award for our work on equality and diversity. Candidates from under-represented groups, as well as candidates with a track record in addressing barriers to equality and diversity in education, are particularly encouraged to apply.

Given the scope of this post, the teaching load of the appointee will be divided between the undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum teaching needs of the Department.

General contribution to the academic work of the Department of Physics and the University beyond teaching and research, will be commensurate with the appointee's interests and skills, and the requirements of the Department.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Application process

Applicants should submit the following documents with their application:

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A list of up to ten papers where you have made the most significant personal contributions. We do not require a full list of your collaborative papers.
A research proposal of no longer than 3 pages, including a description as to how your research plans fit with existing Cavendish activities. It is not necessary to review the overall plans of existing research in the Biological & Soft Systems group except where they are directly relevant to your proposal.

-A one page statement on your approach to teaching and how you believe you can contribute to the Department's teaching programme at undergraduate and graduate level.

The deadline for applications is 23:59 BST Sunday 17th September 2023.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to visit Cambridge in a week to be confirmed during November 2023 to give a presentation and for informal discussions. The formal interviews will also take place in November 2023.

The position is available from 1st October 2024. There is some flexibility on the start date, which can be negotiated at the appointment stage. For informal enquiries please contact Professor Pietro Cicuta (email pc245@cam.ac.uk ).

Please quote reference KA37962 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.