University of Cambridge 
Cambridge, United Kingdom Offer Summary
The University of Cambridge invites applications for a Herchel Smith Research Fellow position in Pure Mathematics. This fixed-term fellowship offers up to three years of full-time independent research support, with a stipend on the Postdoctoral Research Associate scale including an annual research allowance of up to £13,000. The role is designed for outstanding scholars who obtained their PhD within the last three years, excluding those from Cambridge or Harvard, and have less than three years of postdoctoral experience. Candidates must demonstrate academic excellence and provide a high-quality original research proposal. Applications require a CV, project summary, detailed description, publication list, and two references by December 14, 2026. Interviews are expected in mid-January.
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Project Description
The Managers of the Herchel Smith Postdoctoral Research Fellowships Fund invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship position to pursue research within the general field of Pure Mathematics. Fellows are required to pursue their research on a full-time basis in Cambridge.
We encourage eligible applicants to also consider applying for the Postdoctoral Research Associate in Pure Mathematics: jobs.cam.ac.uk.
The Fellowship is intended to enable an outstanding and highly motivated scholar who has demonstrated a capacity for individual research to focus exclusively on research at an early stage in their career, to develop academic potential, and to produce work of an international standard within the field.
The Fellowship is to be held from 1 October 2027 or by agreement with the Head of Department. The Fellowship is available for up to three years and provides an opportunity for independent research, although the holder will usually work in close collaboration with an established research group.
In accordance with Dr Smith's will, candidature is limited to candidates who have obtained their PhD degree, or equivalent, within the last three years at any university but normally excluding Cambridge and Harvard. Fellowships can only be offered to those with less than three years postdoctoral experience by the time the Fellowship is taken up. In addition to holding a PhD or equivalent, candidates should provide evidence of: outstanding academic excellence; a high-quality and original research proposal; and evidence of their capabilities as an independent researcher.
The stipend will be on the University's Postdoctoral Research Associate scale, currently with an annual research allowance of up to £13,000.
Fixed term: The funds for this post are available for a maximum of 3 years.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
You will need to upload:
-Curriculum Vitae. A full curriculum vitae which should outline your academic career, qualifications, and list your publications to date. (Please do not include papers in preparation). It should be a maximum of two pages.
-Project Summary. A one-page summary of your proposed project, clearly indicating your research area(s) of interest near the top.
-Project Description. A detailed description of your proposed project. It is advised that you consult the departmental website and similar resources to ensure that your proposal is appropriately related to the research interests of the department.
-Publications List. A publication list indicating up to four papers or preprints which you consider to be your strongest. Please do not upload papers, but include hyperlinks to the publications.
REFERENCES
Please provide contact details, including their email address, of two referees. At least one of your referees should be someone who is familiar with your work in your primary research field.
To ensure your application can be fully considered, please make sure that both of your referees are aware of your application, have been provided with your Project Description, and understand that their reference must be received BEFORE 14 December 2026. We encourage you to contact them in advance to confirm they are able to respond promptly once contacted.
Your referees will be contacted directly by the Mathematics HR Office Administrator and asked to upload their reference through our Web Recruitment System. References form an essential part of your application and will be reviewed by the selection committee.
We expect to conduct online interviews in mid-January.
For information about the Department of Pure Maths and Mathematical Statistics, please see dpmms.cam.ac.uk.
If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, including references, please contact LF51564@maths.cam.ac.uk.
Please quote reference LF51564 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.