The Kavli Institute for Cosmology, Cambridge, is offering one or more Kavli Institute Fellowships or Senior Fellowships in the areas of Cosmology and Astrophysics. These are prestigious independent research fellowships, for a fixed term of three-years in the first instance, with the possibility of two further years (subject to funding) if appointed to a Senior Fellowship.
Applicants must have a PhD in Astrophysics, or a related field, or have submitted their PhD thesis by the start date of the fellowship. We welcome applications from observers and theorists with interests relevant to one or more of the following scientific themes of the Kavli Institute (see http://www.kicc.cam.ac.uk): the cosmic microwave background and the early Universe; the formation and evolution of galaxies and of supermassive black holes; the epoch of cosmic reionization; evolution of the intergalactic medium; the nature of dark matter; large-scale structure and precision cosmology; and gravitational waves.
The Kavli Institute brings together astrophysicists and cosmologists from three departments across the University of Cambridge. We provide an extremely lively and stimulating scientific environment, bridging the gap between the departments to further our understanding of the Universe from the Big Bang to local galaxies.
We are located two kilometres west of the centre of Cambridge, in extensive grounds and woodland shared with the Institute of Astronomy and the Battcock Centre for Experimental Astrophysics (Department of Physics). The site provides an extremely pleasant working environment.
Successful applicants will be expected to build an independent research program but will have many opportunities for collaborative work with members of the Kavli Institute. They will disseminate their research findings through publications and presentations and contribute to the Institute's public-engagement activities. Successful applicants will have opportunities to assist with the supervision of graduate students. Applicants must have excellent communication and computing skills.
Salary will be either on the Research Associate scale (grade 7, from £36,024 to £44,263) if appointed as Kavli Institute Fellow or, for exceptional and established researchers, on the Senior Research Associate scale (grade 9, from £45,585 to £57,696) if appointed as Kavli Institute Senior Fellow. A research allowance of £10,000 per annum and a generous relocation package will be provided. Further benefits of University employment are outlined at http://www.induction.admin.cam.ac.uk/.
Appointment as a Research Associate (grade 7) is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted their thesis but not yet been awarded their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant and amended to Research Associate when the PhD is awarded. The Research Assistant salary (grade 5) falls within the range £32,982 to £33,966.
The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students. Applications from under-represented groups are particularly welcome. The University has several family-friendly policies and initiatives, including a returning-carer scheme, childcare costs support, University workplace nurseries, University holiday play-schemes, and a shared parental-leave policy. As part of its commitment to providing a family friendly environment for researchers, the Kavli Institute ensures that should parental leave be needed during the course of employment, there is provision for extension to contract to compensate for the parental leave taken.
Informal enquiries can be addressed via email to kavlisec@ast.cam.ac.uk.
The post is full-time, but applications are welcome from those who would like to work flexibly.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), cover letter, publications list and research statement (three A4 pages maximum including references in 11pt font) in the Upload section of the online application. The names and contact details of three academic referees are a necessary part of the submission.
Referees will be contacted automatically following an application, but applicants are strongly advised to prepare nominated referees for the need to provide references by 27 October 2024. Please note in your cover letter whether you wish to be considered for a Kavli Institute Fellowship or a Kavli Institute Senior Fellowship.
As a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment, the University of Cambridge does not use journal-level metrics when assessing the quality of research outputs. Applicants should not include journal-level metrics, such as the Journal Impact Factor, anywhere in their application materials.
Closing date: 20th October 2024 (applications to be received by 23:59 BST)
Applications will be reviewed after the closing date and short-listed candidates will be interviewed in December 2024.
Appointees shall ideally start in October 2025, but alternative starting dates can be arranged with some flexibility.
Please quote reference LG42951 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.