The Managers of the Herchel Smith Postdoctoral Research Fellowships Fund invite applications for up to four Fellowships in the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) and up to two Fellowships in the School of the Physical Sciences (SPS) at the University of Cambridge, commencing 1 October 2026 (or by negotiation).
About the position
For this round, the SPS Fellowships will focus on Condensed Matter & Materials, with opportunities to conduct research in the following Departments:
- Physics
- Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy
- DAMTP / Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics
Fellows are expected to pursue their research on a full-time basis in Cambridge. Each Fellowship is offered for up to three years and provides an opportunity for independent research, usually in close collaboration with established groups in one of the host Departments.
Fellowship Benefits
- Salary on the University’s Postdoctoral Research Associate scale
- An annual research allowance of up to 15,000 pound sterling
- A fixed-term contract of up to three years
For full details of programme requirements and benefits, please refer to the attached Terms & Conditions.
Eligibility
In accordance with Dr Herchel Smith’s will, applicants must:
- To be eligible, applicants should normally have received their PhD (or equivalent qualification) within three years prior to the application deadline – specifically, on or after 30 November 2022.
- Not have received their PhD from Cambridge or Harvard Universities
Application Requirements
Applications must be submitted via the University’s recruitment system and include the following:
- Host Support Letter: A letter from an SPS or SBS Department confirming its willingness to host and support the proposed research project. If applying jointly across Departments, a letter must be provided by each. Candidates are advised to identify and contact a suitable faculty host well in advance to ensure their proposal aligns with departmental priorities and to allow sufficient time for a support letter to be prepared.
- Project Summary and Motivation Statement (max. 6000 words): A combined document outlining the proposed research, including project objectives, the SPS/SBS Department and Research Group you wish to join, and your motivation for applying. The statement should also explain what you hope to achieve through collaboration with the chosen Department/Group.
- Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 pages): A CV detailing academic qualifications, career to date, and a full list of publications. Please include hyperlinks to your three most significant publications.
- References (two required): Two reference letters must be included with the application. Applicants should ensure that their referees are available and contactable throughout the selection process. If referees prefer to submit their letters confidentially, they may send them directly to the dedicated email address herchelsmith@admin.cam.ac.uk
Key Dates and information
- Closing date for applications: 30 November 2025
- Notification of outcome: mid-March 2026
