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The Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (CEB) is seeking to appoint an Assistant Professor from October 2026 or soon thereafter. The successful candidate will be designated as an Associate Professor once probation has been successfully completed.
The Department operates on the West Cambridge site and has an annual research income of £15 million. It has an international reputation for advancing molecular science and technology at the intersection of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. It is setting the pace for scientists, engineers, industrialists and entrepreneurs to solve a range of complex global challenges across healthcare, energy, and the environment. The Department has forged a number of significant industry partnerships and has pioneered the commercialisation of its cutting-edge research, recognising the vital relationship between knowledge transfer and economic growth.
The successful candidate will be expected to develop and lead a research group of international standing while contributing to the teaching needs of the Department. Teaching and research duties will be split approximately 30:70. It is important that the selected candidate will be willing and able to teach and examine widely across the Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Tripos, which was developed recently now incorporating significant biotechnology content. A strong track record in teaching is desirable and a willingness to teach in areas outside the candidate’s research expertise is essential. Academic appointments at Cambridge additionally present opportunities to participate at various levels within the University Collegiate system.
The post will be researcher in the field of Biotechnology. This is a deliberately wide definition to appeal to a broad spectrum of applicants and ensure accessibility for under-represented groups, but we expect the successful candidate to strengthen one, or both, of our core strategic themes of sustainability and healthcare. Areas we have particular interests in strengthening include Synthetic and Engineering Biology, Biomaterials, Bio-interface Science and Technology, Agritech and Plant Biotechnology, Molecular and Cellular Biotechnology, Computational, Data and AI-driven Biotechnology, and essentially any other emerging field that fits within our strategic themes. The overriding criterion is research excellence, and we will consider candidates from both theoretical and experimental research areas.
The ideal candidate is expected to have an excellent track record of conducting original research as evidenced by publications in leading international journals. They will foster their subject through research, supported by external grant funding, and contribute to teaching, supervision and examining at undergraduate and graduate levels and encourage positive research culture in their team and the department. CEB thrives on the collegiate values of its staff and researchers and fully expects the appointed candidate to promote a positive research culture within their research group and the wider department.
Applications should include the following – a covering letter, curriculum vitae which includes a publications list and areas of teaching competence, a statement of research interests and future plans, and a vision on how the candidate proposes to promote excellence in teaching and learning at CEB along with contact details for three professional referees.
The selection committee will meet after the closing date to produce a long list of candidates who will be invited for virtual interview. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to CEB for a formal panel-led interview and to deliver example lectures in teaching and research. There will also be opportunities to engage in informal meetings with staff and students while touring the building and labs.
We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for flexible working arrangements.
We particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department and School.
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 should be directed to Dr Graham Christie, Chair of the Selection Committee. Email: gc301@cam.ac.uk. If you have questions on the application process please contact Karen Langford, HR Manager. Email: hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.
Please quote reference NQ48735 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 and can offer a range of relocation and accommodation benefits.