Junior Research Fellowship in the Sciences

The Governing Body of St Catharine’s College invites applications for election to a Junior Research Fellowship tenable from 1 October 2023 for three years.

The Fellowship is open to graduates of any University who are engaged in research in any aspect of the Sciences. The Sciences include, but are not limited to, the following broad categories as represented by the Cambridge Tripos system: Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Astronomy, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Genetics, History and Philosophy of Science, Materials Science and Metallurgy, Pathology, Pharmacology, Physics, Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Plant Sciences, Psychology, Zoology.

This Fellowship is intended to support those at an early stage in their academic careers, and will normally be awarded to candidates who have recently completed their PhD research, or are close to completion. Candidates should not have been engaged in full-time post-doctoral research for more than one year, nor have already held a College Research Fellowship elsewhere.

Applications are welcome for a non-stipendiary Fellowship from candidates who have secured external research funding for three years from 1 October 2023, for example, from the British Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Leverhulme Trust, Wellcome Trust, etc.

A Research Fellow may undertake up to a maximum of six hours of undergraduate teaching per week during term, which will be remunerated separately, but will not be permitted to undertake paid work or to hold any other appointment, award or emolument, without the consent of the Governing Body. Research Fellows are normally expected to spend the tenure of their Fellowship in Cambridge and to contribute to the life of the College, but permission may be granted for periods of research away from Cambridge.

The emoluments currently (i.e. as at August 2022) are:
In year 1 Equal to spine point 27 of the University Scale (pre-PhD): £23,144
Equal to spine point 30 of the University Scale (post-PhD): £24,948
In year 2 Equal to spine point 32 of the University Scale (if post-PhD): £26,396
In year 3 Equal to spine point 34 of the University Scale (if post-PhD): £27,929

These figures are increased in line with general academic pay reviews by the University of Cambridge. Notwithstanding the schedule set out above, and the quantum of any 2021 or 2022 general pay increases, the minimum stipend payable for a pre-PhD Research Fellow as at 1 October 2022 will be at least £23,144 per annum.

The stipend is also subject to review in the light of any contribution to stipend that the Fellow may receive from other sources. Research Fellows are entitled to a number of free dinners and lunches at High Table and an allowance of up to £791 p.a. for research and travel costs, plus a generous allowance towards the cost of a computer. Research Fellows may live in single accommodation in College. Those who elect not to reside in College are given a living-out allowance, currently £1,723.68 p.a..

Candidates should complete the on-line application form at https://app.casc.cam.ac.uk/fas_live/cathjrf.aspx where further details are available.

A complete application should comprise a CV, a 2-page statement of proposed research and two references.

Any enquiries should be addressed to the Master’s Executive Assistant (ea.master@caths.cam.ac.uk ).

The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday, 31 October 2022.

By mid-November 2022, the Electors will construct a short-list of candidates who will be invited to submit a 4-page extended research proposal or other written work by Friday, 09 December 2022; the title of which should be given in the appropriate section of the application form.

Any candidates who have not heard from the College by this date can assume that they have not been placed on this list. Provided that there are candidates of suitable merit, the Governing Body expects to make the elections by February 2023. Unsuccessful candidates will be contacted at the same time.