The Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge welcomes approaches from Early Career Researchers who wish to hold an externally funded Post-Doctoral research fellowship from a UK or international research sponsor in the department.
Our research covers broad areas of plant science, from genetics and molecular biology, through photosynthesis and physiology, to plant disease and ecosystem dynamics. The department has excellent facilities and strong links with other plant scientists in Cambridge, including the Sainsbury Laboratory and Niab.
In addition to fundamental research questions, we have five strategic targets:
- enhancing production of plant-derived products;
- reducing agricultural inputs;
- cutting losses from pests and pathogens;
- enabling resilience to environmental change;
- and delivering sustainable, bio-diverse landscapes.
The Plants @ Cambridge initiative, hosted by the department, supports engagement with industry and other key stakeholders to facilitate translation of our research into key areas of economic benefit and global relevance. Researchers in all areas of plant biology would find the environment vibrant and stimulating.
Excellent candidates for 2027 Fellowship schemes are now invited to apply to attend our Research Fellowships Open Day. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to visit the department on Thursday 4 February 2027 to discuss their proposal and application with members of staff. We will then select applicants from those shortlisted to support and mentor through the application process.
Successful Fellows will be provided with office and lab space, and resources for research including access to PhD studentships, plant growth facilities and glasshouses, and high-performance computing and imaging facilities.
Applicants should send a completed pro forma , including a short summary (200 words maximum) of their proposed research topic, and their CV, highlighting their top 5 publications, to researchfellows@plantsci.cam.ac.uk by Monday 7 December 2026. The University is a signatory to the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA); we will not assess your journal or citation metrics, so please do not include these in your CV.
We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.