University of Cambridge 
Cambridge, United Kingdom Offer Summary
The University of Cambridge Department of Zoology invites early career researchers to apply for sponsorship toward externally funded senior research fellowships with deadlines after March 2027. This scheme supports applicants in establishing independent research groups by providing assistance with fellowship applications, lab setup, personnel recruitment, and mentoring. Successful candidates gain access to comprehensive support from the School of Biological Sciences and benefit from the department's strong track record in progressing fellows into lectureships. The program targets prestigious funding schemes such as NERC, ERC, and Wellcome Trust awards. Applications require a completed form, publications list, and referee contacts, submitted by November 10, 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for seminars in January 2027. Typically, two individuals receive two-year sponsorships annually.
Generated from stored offer content. Always confirm details in the official posting.
Project Description
The Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge seeks Expressions of Interest from early career researchers who wish to be sponsored for externally funded fellowships that will allow them to start an independent research group in our Department.
Are you planning to submit a senior research fellowship* application for funding competitions with deadlines after March 2027?
We offer a programme of support that will help establish you as an independent academic researcher, including assistance with your fellowship application, setting up your lab and recruiting personnel, as well as mentoring and training to help you develop your career. Research Fellows will also have access to the comprehensive package of ongoing support available from the School of Biological Sciences Research fellowships.
We have an excellent track record in progressing our Senior Research Fellows into lectureships or equivalent positions at Cambridge and other leading international universities and research institutes.
About the Department of Zoology
We are a thriving community of researchers investigating how animal life evolved, how it functions and persists today and how we can conserve it for future generations. The Department comprises around 30 research groups, working at every level of biological organization from genes to ecosystems. The Department and the wider University of Cambridge are committed, in their pursuit of academic and research excellence, to a pro-active and inclusive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity.
Our dynamic intellectual environment includes the world-leading Cambridge Conservation Institute and University Museum of Zoology, and provides opportunities for collaboration in research themes that span the School of Biological Sciences (Research themes) and the wider university (Strategic research initiatives networks).
The School of Biological Sciences has state of the art facilities in imaging, high performance computing and bioinformatics. The Department's research strengths currently lie in behaviour and neuroscience, conservation science, ecology and all aspects of evolutionary biology.
How to apply for sponsorship
Please address informal enquires to the Head of Department Professor Rebecca Kilner [email: hod@zoo.cam.ac.uk]
To make an application, please download and complete the very short application form SRF application form 2026.docx and send it with your publications list and contact details for two referees to admin@zoo.cam.ac.uk by 17:00 GMT on Tuesday 10th November 2026. We will only contact you, and your referees, if you are shortlisted.
We will shortlist by Tuesday 8th December 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the Department to meet the academic staff and give a seminar in the week beginning 11 January 2027. We typically sponsor two people each year and sponsorship is for two years.
*Target fellowship schemes include: NERC Independent Fellowship, ERC Starting / Consolidator Grant, The Wellcome Trust Career Development Awards, Royal Society University Research Fellowship, Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship, Branco-Weiss Research Fellowship.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Paulina Lasocka or Anastasia Nezhentseva [email: hr@zoo.cam.ac.uk]
Please quote reference PF50279 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.
