Vacancies

This is an opportunity for a DevOps Engineer or Research Software Engineer with DevOps skills to work at the Cambridge Centre of Excellence for Astronomical Data (CamCEAD) in the Institute of Astronomy (IoA), specifically on two European Space Agency (ESA) science missions, Gaia and Plato.

The successful candidate will work within CamCEADs Gaia and Plato data processing teams. The role will focus on infrastructure provisioning, system administration, release engineering, cybersecurity and software development to execute the on-ground data processing for both Gaia and Plato.

Infrastructure is based on Linux servers: most of these are virtually deployed on OpenStack clouds hosted at Cambridge and elsewhere in the UK, while some physical servers are hosted locally at the Institute. Deployed systems include Kubernetes clusters of several thousand cores and associated support systems. The bespoke software developed for data processing has continuous integration and deployment systems locally hosted on Jenkins.

Work will include development of Ansible code for provisioning infrastructure and automation of tasks, diagnose and resolve issues with Linux systems/containers, contribute to the overall systems architecture design, development of CI/CD system and system testing to improve software development efficiency and release quality, development of infrastructure and processes required to improve cybersecurity, software development of modules and tools to support data processing and analysis. This role is primarily focussed on DevOps, although the post-holder will have the opportunity to build upon their experience and to take on a wide selection of roles as needed.

The role will also involve liaising with the wider Plato and Gaia project teams and external science users. The role will include opportunities to interact with the wider CamCEAD team. This post is for an in-person role and, while flexible working is supported, the usual location of work is the Institute of Astronomy - to enable and encourage efficient collaboration and interaction within the project teams, CamCEAD and the Institute.

The successful candidate will have a good practical knowledge of Linux system administration, software development process and tools and containerization. Some experience of collaborative software development in Python, Java or a similar language is essential. Experience with Ansible, Kubernetes, Spark would be very advantageous. The candidate should have at least a BSc (Hons) degree in a numerate discipline (preferably Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a science with a significant computing element).

The post-holder will be required to attend meetings both elsewhere in the UK and overseas. Hence possession of a valid passport is necessary.

Further information on the Gaia and Plato missions and the role of staff working at CamCEAD are available within the further particulars.

Salary will be Grade 7, £35,608 - £46,049 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications.

This is a fixed-term role, initially for a fixed term period to 31st March 2027 with good prospects for further extension subject to grant funding and project development.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

The application deadline is 23:59 GMT on Sunday, 15th March 2026.

Where applicable, referees will be requested to provide references by: 23rd March 2026

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date. Interviews are provisionally planned for week commencing 23rd March 2026.

For any queries regarding the application process, please contact: hr@ast.cam.ac.uk. Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. Francesca De Angeli, Research Professor: fda@ast.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference LG48929 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University of Cambridge is a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). DORA recognises the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated. The University expects candidates to apply the principles of DORA when preparing their applications. We do 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. More information about DORA, its principles and aims can be found at: https://sfdora.org/ and https://www.researchstrategy.admin.cam.ac.uk/researchpolicy/DORA.

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.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position at the Institute of Astronomy (IoA), University of Cambridge to work within the research group of Dr Amy Bonsor, Associate Professor and Royal Society University Research Fellow: https://people.ast.cam.ac.uk/~abonsor/.

The research group has broad interests spanning questions involving the link between planet formation and the composition of exoplanets, with a strong focus on white dwarf planetary systems.

The IoA offers a vibrant research environment for exoplanetary science with groups working in a wide range of areas, including exoplanet detection and characterization, exoplanetary atmospheres and interiors, planet formation and circumstellar environments. The University of Cambridge provides a diverse research community, with many cross-disciplinary interactions, including those linked to the Leverhulme Centre for Life in the Universe.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong expertise in astronomical spectroscopy, preferably linked to white dwarfs. Candidates with strong relevant expertise not listed above are encouraged to get in touch and discuss further their relevance to the position with Dr Bonsor (abonsor@ast.cam.ac.uk).

The successful applicant will pursue independent and collaborative research, develop interactions with the faculty, postdoctoral researchers and research students. They will disseminate research findings via publications & other media, (international workshops/conferences) and are encouraged to participate in teaching and learning, in postgraduate research student supervision and in outreach.

Applicants must have a PhD in Astronomy, Planetary Science or related discipline*. Successful candidates will be expected to complete research in a collegial environment, with strong communication and computing skills.

A successful candidate with a PhD will be appointed at Grade 7 (Research Associate £37,694 to £46,049 per annum). A candidate who has not been awarded their PhD will initially be appointed at Grade 5 (Research Assistant £34,610 to £35,608 per annum) and, upon award of PhD, promoted to Grade 7.

The purpose of this role is to support and maintain the University's national and international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Contribution to excellence in research will be as a member of a research team carrying out research at a similar level to that undertaken by lecturing staff and will provide substantial scope for academic judgement, originality, interpretation and presentation of results.

The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students. Applications from underrepresented groups are particularly welcome. We have an active Equality and Diversity Committee which continually works to further the aims of the Athena SWAN charter. The University has a number of family-friendly policies and initiatives, including a returning-career 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 IoA 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.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Applications must include a cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, list of publications, a statement of research experience and interests (three pages maximum) and contact information of three referees. Please advise referees that references will be requested for 9th March 2026.

The application deadline is 23:59 GMT on Sunday, 1st March 2026.

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date. Interviews are provisionally planned for 11th March 2026.

Please refer to further particulars for full instructions. For any queries regarding the application process, please contact: hr@ast.cam.ac.uk. Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Amy Bonsor (abonsor@ast.cam.ac.uk).

Please quote reference LG48785 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University of Cambridge is a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). DORA recognises the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated. The University expects candidates to apply the principles of DORA when preparing their applications. We do 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. More information about DORA, its principles and aims can be found at: https://sfdora.org/ and https://www.researchstrategy.admin.cam.ac.uk/research-policy/DORA

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The Institute particularly welcomes applications from women and/or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance, with the possibility for extension up to one year.

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge, to work within the research group of Prof. Sera Markoff.

The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) is a global millimetre-VLBI array designed to directly image the event horizon regions of two nearby supermassive black holes, Sgr A* and M87*, as well as the inner jets of nearby active galactic nuclei (AGN). We are seeking a curious and highly interactive postdoctoral researcher, ideally with VLBI experience on AGN, to join the new research team of Sera Markoff at the IoA. The successful candidate will help propose for, and contribute to, the analysis and calibration of new EHT and multi-wavelength observations. They will join and collaborate with members of the EHT, as well as the ERC Synergy grant project "Blackholistic" (involving Universities of Amsterdam, Radboud/Nijmegen, Oxford, Namibia and Turku/Finland), aimed at understanding accretion and jet formation for black holes of all scales. The successful candidate will work within this interdisciplinary team of observers and theorists, to interpret existing data. They will also help design innovative observational programmes that take into account new developments such as high-frequency observations, the incorporation of additional stations such as the Africa Millimetre Telescope in Namibia, and techniques such as frequency phase transfer.

The IoA provides a vibrant and stimulating research environment in astrophysics. The interdepartmental Kavli Institute for Cosmology, Cambridge is located on the same site, fostering connections with neighbouring departments such as the Cavendish Laboratory. The candidate will also help raise awareness of EHT and related science within both Cambridge and the wider UK environment.

Candidates must have a PhD in Physics or Astronomy, or have submitted their PhD thesis by the start of appointment. Applicants should have an established track record of original research and a clear vision for current/future AGN VLBI research. Candidates are expected to demonstrate productivity, excellent communication and data-analysis/computing skills, and enjoy working in a large team that requires frequent travel. A successful candidate with a PhD will be appointed at Grade 7 (Research Associate £37,694 to £46,049 per annum). A candidate who has not been awarded their PhD will initially be appointed at Grade 5 (Research Assistant £34,610 to £35,608 per annum) and, upon award of PhD, promoted to Grade 7.

The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students. Applications from underrepresented groups are particularly welcome. We have an active Equality and Diversity Committee which continually works to further the aims of the Athena SWAN charter. The University has a number of family-friendly policies and initiatives, including a returning-career 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 IoA 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.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Applications must include a cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, list of publications, a statement of research experience and interests (three pages maximum) and contact information of three referees.

The application deadline is 23:59 GMT on Monday, 12th January 2026.

Where applicable, referees will be requested to provide references by 19th January 2026.

Interviews will be provisionally scheduled for early February.

The start date of the appointment is negotiable.

Please refer to further particulars for full instructions. For any queries regarding the application please contact: hr@ast.cam.ac.uk.

Informal inquiries may be addressed to Professor Sera Markoff via sera.markoff@ast.cam.ac.uk

Please reference LG48329 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University of Cambridge is a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). DORA recognises the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated. The University expects candidates to apply the principles of DORA when preparing their applications. We do 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. More information about DORA, its principles and aims can be found at: https://sfdora.org/ and https://www.researchstrategy.admin.cam.ac.uk/research-policy/DORA

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.

Please quote reference LG48329 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.

The Institute of Astronomy (IoA) are seeking an experienced Custodian - Housekeeping and Catering Supervisor to provide efficient administrative support to facilitate the smooth operation of the housekeeping team. This role will provide support for both the IoA and the Kavli Institute of Cosmology, Cambridge (KICC).

In this role, you will help supervise and support the housekeeping team, including mentoring staff and assisting with basic HR tasks. These may include helping with probation paperwork, processing starters and leavers, updating holiday and sickness records, and supporting recruitment activities. You will also allocate daily housekeeping tasks to team members.

As the first point of contact for the housekeeping team, you will deal with inquiries by phone, MS Teams and email, making sure questions are answered promptly and accurately.

You will help organise catering and cleaning for meetings and events, keep track of catering and housekeeping orders, and arrange work with external suppliers when needed.

This is also a hands-on role, and you will help ensure that cleaning, portering, maintenance and security tasks are carried out efficiently and to a high standard.

We are looking for someone reliable, friendly and organised to join our Housekeeping team.

You should have some previous experience in administration, housekeeping and catering, and be comfortable using Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel. Experience supervising others would be helpful, but it is not essential.

In this role, you will work closely with colleagues across the Institute, so good communication and a positive, supportive attitude are important. We are looking for someone who can build good working relationships, treat everyone with respect and contribute to an inclusive and welcoming workplace.

As part of the team, you will help make sure tasks are completed accurately and on time. You should be someone who takes pride in doing a job well and can follow instructions carefully. The role includes supporting the Deputy Facilities Manager across all Institute of Astronomy buildings, so being willing to take on different tasks and adapt to changing needs is important. Basic DIY skills are also required.

You should be educated to GCSE level (or equivalent). You will need a Level 3 Food Safety qualification, and if you do not already have this, we will arrange and pay for the training.

See the Further Information link for further details on the required skills, experience and knowledge for this role.

In return, the IoA are offering:

• A clear training and induction plan to ensure you are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve success.

• Regular meetings with your line manager and an annual development review to support your personal development.

• Access to University training courses to support your ongoing learning and development.

• A supportive and inclusive working environment that encourages collaboration and supports wellbeing.

• Further excellent and competitive benefits for University of Cambridge employees can be found here.

The position is full time, working Monday - Friday and funds are available for this post for 2 years from date of appointment, with the possibility of extension.

Location: The Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0HA.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Applications will be monitored regularly, and we may contact candidates prior to the closing date. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Informal inquiries can be made by email to Stephen Lawson, Deputy Facilities Manager at: sl2215@ast.cam.ac.uk. Questions about the application process should be directed to HR@ast.cam.ac.uk.

Closing Date: 23:59 GMT, 4th January 2026.

Provisional Interview Date: week commencing 12th January 2026.

Please quote reference LG48235 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.

Fixed-term: The appointment will be made for two years in the first instance, with the possibility for extension up to one year.

Applications are invited for a UKRI funded postdoctoral position at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge to work within the research group of Prof. Nikku Madhusudhan. The group has extensive expertise and interests in exoplanetary science across areas related to exoplanetary atmospheres, interiors and habitability, in both observational and theoretical areas. The present position will focus on characterizing low-mass exoplanets in the sub-Neptune regime using observations with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and other facilities. One or more positions will be available in areas related to exoplanetary remote sensing and data science, including data reduction and analyses, statistical methods and software development.

Applicants are expected to have strong expertise in one or more of the following areas: (1) Astronomical spectroscopy, preferably exoplanet spectroscopy using HST, JWST, large ground-based telescopes and/or other facilities at low or high resolution, including data reduction and time series analyses, (2) Earth or planetary remote sensing, (3) Data science approaches, including statistical methods, handling of large datasets, pipeline development and/or machine learning (4) Full stack software development in relevant applications, including system analysis, design, implementation, testing and deployment. Candidates with limited experience in exoplanetary science but with strong relevant expertise in other areas listed above are welcome to apply.

Applicants must have a PhD in Astronomy, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering or a related field, or have satisfied the requirements for PhD, by the time of appointment. Successful candidates will be expected to pursue a competitive research program in a collegial environment and have strong communication and computing skills. A successful candidate with a PhD will be appointed at Grade 7 (Research Associate - £37,694 to £46,049 per annum). A candidate who has not been awarded their PhD will initially be appointed at Grade 5 (Research Assistant - £34,610 to £35,608 per annum) and, upon award of PhD, promoted to Grade 7 .

The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students. Applications from underrepresented groups are particularly welcome. We have an active Equality and Diversity Committee which continually works to further the aims of the Athena SWAN charter. The University has a number of family-friendly policies and initiatives, including a returning-career 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 IoA 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.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Applications must include a cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, list of publications, a statement of research experience and interests (three pages maximum) and contact information of three referees.

The application deadline is 23:59 GMT on Sunday, 11th January 2026.

Where applicable, referees will be requested to provide references by 18th January 2026. Interviews will be provisionally scheduled for early February. The start date of the appointment is negotiable.

Please refer to further particulars for full instructions. For any queries regarding the application please contact: hr@ast.cam.ac.uk .

Informal inquiries may be addressed to Professor Nikku Madhusudhan via nmadhu@ast.cam.ac.uk .

The University of Cambridge is a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). DORA recognises the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated. The University expects candidates to apply the principles of DORA when preparing their applications. We do 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. More information about DORA, its principles and aims can be found at: https://sfdora.org/ and https://www.research-strategy.admin.cam.ac.uk/research-policy/DORA.

Please quote reference LG48101 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.

This role is supported by a UKRI Frontier Grant.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

We invite applications for a postdoctoral researcher to work on CMB cosmology with data from the Simons Observatory (SO). The SO is a leading CMB experiment that has recently started observing from the Atacama Desert in Chile. We particularly welcome applications from those with interests in cosmology from the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect, for example, cluster-count cosmology and interpretation of Compton-y maps. Successful candidates will work with Boris Bolliet, Anthony Challinor, Blake Sherwin and Inigo Zubeldia and the wider community of CMB and large-scale-structure researchers across Cambridge.

Candidates must possess significant theoretical/analytic skills and experience in developing/applying analyses for precision CMB studies or related fields. Candidates will collaborate internationally with colleagues, will interact closely with staff and students, disseminate research findings via publications/media (international workshops and conferences), and are encouraged to participate in teaching and learning.

The IoA provides a vibrant research environment in cosmology. The interdepartmental Kavli Institute for Cosmology, Cambridge is located on the same site as the IoA, fostering connections with those conducting complementary research in neighbouring departments.

Applicants must have a PhD in Astronomy (or a related field) or have submitted their PhD thesis by the start of appointment. Applicants must have an established track record of original research and a clear vision for current/future CMB research. Excellent communications skills and computing skills, preferably on HPC systems, are also required.

The appointment will be at Grade 7 (Research Associate) £37,694 to £46,049 p.a. (Grade 7, Pts 41 to 48), depending on experience/qualifications. A successful candidate not yet awarded a PhD will be appointed at Grade 5 (Research Assistant) £34,610 to £35,608 (Grade 5, Pts 38 to 39) and amended to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of PhD.

The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students. The IoA particularly welcomes applications from under-represented groups. We have an active Equality and Diversity Committee which continually works to further the aims of the Athena SWAN charter. 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 IoA 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.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please upload your CV, cover letter, publications list and a description of your recent research (three A4 pages maximum, 11pt font) in the Upload section.

Names and contact details of three academic referees are essential. Please advise referees that references will be requested by 21 December 2025.

Closing: 23:59 GMT on 14 December 2025. Applications will be reviewed after closing and short-listed candidates invited for interview in early January 2026.

Fixed-term: This post is funded for two years in the first instance.

Starting: October 2026 or earlier.

If you have queries re. applying, please contact hr@ast.cam.ac.uk. Informal inquiries may be addressed to Prof. Anthony Challinor (a.d.challinor@ast.cam.ac.uk).

Please quote reference LG47989 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.

The Institute of Astronomy (IoA) is a highly computer-reliant department in the School of Physical Sciences at the University of Cambridge, and is engaged in teaching and research in the fields of theoretical and observational Astronomy. There is a vacancy for a Departmental IT Manager to lead the IoA's IT team, whose members are collectively responsible for providing and/or supporting all the IT services used at the IoA, including the network, audio-visual services, Linux compute servers, storage servers, desktops, laptops and phones. While part of the team, the Departmental IT Manager has overall responsibility for the portfolio and quality of the services provided, and for maintaining business continuity. The IoA's IT strategy is formed by the Computing Oversight Committee, with the Departmental IT Manager playing a key role in strategic planning, project prioritisation and planning of the annual IT budget.

The Departmental IT Manager will be an experienced line manager with good leadership skills and a background in providing services in a secure networked Linux environment. The role-holder will have a good understanding of technical details for the IT services in the portfolio and be able to troubleshoot complex technical problems. They will be an excellent communicator and have outstanding interpersonal skills. The Departmental IT Manager's responsibilities include managing the IT team's workflow, the personal development of team members and promoting a positive working environment.

More information about the role is attached in the 'Further Particulars' document.

Conversations about flexible working are encouraged at the University of Cambridge. More information on the University's flexible working policy can be found here: https://www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/policies-procedures-z/flexible-working

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Mark Wyatt at wyatt@ast.cam.ac.uk or Debora Sijacki via: deboras@ast.cam.ac.uk in the first instance, quoting reference number LG46762. If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact: HR@ast.cam.ac.uk.

We are ideally seeking a start date by December 2025, though there is some flexibility depending on individual circumstances.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

The closing date for applications is: 23:59 BST on 21st September 2025

The anticipated interview date is: Week commencing 13th October 2025

Please provide the contact details of two employment-related referees in your online application form, one of whom should be your most recent line manager.

Please upload a full curriculum vitae (CV), and a covering letter describing how you are suited to this role, paying particular attention to the Person Specification criteria listed in the Further Particulars.

Please quote reference LG46762 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 number of 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.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 October 2027 in the first instance.

This is an interesting opportunity for a data scientist to work at the Institute of Astronomy (IoA), University of Cambridge, as part of the Gaia and PLATO system development teams within the IoA Data Projects (CamCEAD) group.

Gaia is a space observatory of the European Space Agency (ESA), launched in 2013, and with data releases in Dec 2026 and a final data release in 2030. Gaia's key objective is a detailed study of the Milky Way that is revealing our Galaxy's content, dynamics, current state and formation history. The IoA is responsible for the development and operation of the (spectro)-photometric processing system.

PLATO is an ESA mission, launching end 2026, that will detect and characterise a significant sample of exoplanets around bright stars. Within the PLATO Consortium, the IoA team is responsible for the development and operation of the Exoplanet Analysis System, which will enable the detection of the signatures of exoplanets from high-precision photometric light curves of the host stars.

The successful candidate will work initially within the Gaia development team, with likely later involvement in PLATO development. The main tasks will be in photometric light curve analysis and validation (Gaia and PLATO) and data analysis and development of novel scientific algorithms and applications in the areas of photometric and spectrophotometric processing (Gaia).

The role will also involve liaising with the wider mission consortium teams and external science users; contributing to documentation; and collaborating in the Gaia and PLATO stellar and exoplanet related research programs to optimise interpretation and use of such mission data. The role will include opportunities to interact with the wider CamCEAD team, with potential to contribute machine learning expertise in the context of data systems ranging from ground-based spectroscopy (e.g. WEAVE) to medical imaging (i.e. SPACE/IMAXT).

The successful candidate will have experience in astronomical data analysis activities, coupled with use of machine learning approaches to data validation, a good practical knowledge of scientific algorithm development and a PhD degree in a numerate discipline (preferably Astronomy, Physics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related field).

Candidates are expected to be familiar with the acquisition and reduction of data from large-scale astronomical facilities or surveys and with the use of database and web-based systems. Knowledge of Python/Java and object-oriented programming is required, while knowledge of database systems would be advantageous.

The ability to work as part of a team and have good communication skills is also required.

The post-holder will be required to attend meetings both elsewhere in the UK and overseas hence possession of a valid passport is necessary.

Salary will be on the Research Associate scale (Grade 7, from £37,694 - £46,049). Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 £34,610) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award.

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/ technical experience statement (three A4 pages maximum in 11pt font) in the Upload section of the online application.

The names and email contact details of three referees are a necessary part of the submission. If short-listed for interview, you should advise your nominated referees that their references will be requested with a deadline of 15 October 2025.

Closing date: Applications to be received on 21 September 2025 by 23:59 BST .

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date and short-listed candidates will be interviewed in the week 20 October 2025.

The anticipated start date of the appointment is 1st December 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Giorgia Busso, Senior Research Associate, giorgia@ast.cam.ac.uk)

If you have any queries regarding the application process please contact HR@ast.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference LG46896 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University of Cambridge is a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). DORA recognises the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated. The University expects candidates to apply the principles of DORA when preparing their applications. We do 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. More information about DORA, its principles and aims can be found at: https://sfdora.org/ and https://www.research-strategy.admin.cam.ac.uk/research-policy/DORA .

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.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2028 in the first instance, with good prospects for further extension subject to grant funding and project development.

This is an opportunity for a research software engineer to work at the Cambridge Centre of Excellence for Astronomical Data (CAMCEAD) in the Institute of Astronomy (IoA), specifically on two European Space Agency (ESA) science missions, Gaia and Plato.

The successful candidate will work within CAMCEAD's Gaia and Plato software development teams. The role will focus on development of on-ground data processing software for both Gaia and Plato, including automation, large scale distributed processing, data analysis and data management. The work involves systems analysis, design, implementation, testing, documentation and improvement of existing code. The post-holder will have the opportunity to build upon their experience and to take on a wide selection of roles as needed.

The role will also involve liaising with the wider Plato and Gaia project teams and external science users, with opportunities to interact with the wider CAMCEAD team.

The successful candidate will have good practical knowledge of software and scientific processing development and at least a BSc (Hons) degree in a numerate discipline (preferably Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a science with a significant computing element).

The candidate should demonstrate knowledge of Java (with familiarity of Python an advantage) and object oriented programming. An understanding of abstraction including familiarity with software design considerations is essential. Experience of Python development would be very useful. Experience with Spark, Kubernetes and knowledge of database systems would be advantageous. Experience of the acquisition and reduction of data from astronomical facilities and with the use of database and web-based systems would be desirable.

The post-holder will be required to attend meetings both elsewhere in the UK and overseas. Hence possession of a valid passport is necessary.

Gaia is a space observatory that made more than three trillion observations of two billion stars and other objects during a ten year period before being decommissioned earlier this year. Development and execution of data processing and analysis for the full mission duration will be carried out over the next several years culminating in the publication of the final Gaia catalogue. Gaia's key objective is a detailed study of the Milky Way that will reveal our Galaxy's content, dynamics, current state and formation history. The IoA Gaia team are responsible for the processing and analysis of the photometric and low-resolution spectroscopic data collected by ESA's Gaia mission. Gaia's key objective is a detailed study of the Milky Way that will reveal our Galaxy's content, dynamics, current state and formation history. The IoA Gaia team are responsible for the processing and analysis of the photometric and low-resolution spectroscopic data collected by ESA's Gaia mission.

Plato is a mission that will detect and characterise a huge sample of exoplanets around bright stars. The Plato spacecraft is currently scheduled to be launched at the end of 2026. Within the Plato Consortium, the IoA team are responsible for the development and operation of the Exoplanet Analysis System, which will enable the detection of the signatures of exoplanets from high- precision photometric light curves of the host stars.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Information about working at CAMCEAD: Staff at CAMCEAD undertake a range of activities in wide field astronomy including: lead roles in Gaia and Plato, together with other space mission projects including CHEOPS and Euclid; developing and operating pipeline processing and analysis systems for optical and near-infrared mosaic imaging surveys (e.g. VISTA, VST); spectroscopic surveys (e.g. WEAVE, 4MOST); developing pipelines tailored for the analysis of various oncological imaging data related to the IMAXT/CRUK Grand Challenge project; managing a data processing and archive centre.

Application Instructions:

Please indicate the contact details of three referees on the online application form and upload a full curriculum vitae (CV) and a list of publications (if you have such), please also provide a covering letter (1 page of A4 at minimum Font size 11) which sets out your suitability for the role. Please ensure that your referees are aware that they may be contacted by the Institute of Astronomy.

The application deadline is 23:59 BST on Friday 12th September 2025.

Where applicable, referees will be requested to provide references by: 3rd October 2025

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date and interviews are provisionally planned for: w/c 6th October 2025.

The anticipated start date of the appointment is 1st November 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Salary will be Grade 7, £35,116 - £45,413 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications.

Informal enquiries may be made via email to Dr Francesca De Angeli, Principal Research Associate, (fda@ast.cam.ac.uk)

If you have any queries regarding the application process please contact HR@ast.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference LG46779 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University of Cambridge is a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). DORA recognises the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated. The University expects candidates to apply the principles of DORA when preparing their applications. We do 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. More information about DORA, its principles and aims can be found at: https://sfdora.org/ and https://www.research-strategy.admin.cam.ac.uk/research¿policy/DORA.

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.

We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Cloud Engineer to be based at the Institute of Astronomy (www.ast.cam.ac.uk) in collaboration with the Research Computing Services (www.hpc.cam.ac.uk) at the University of Cambridge. This role is part of a new and exciting initiative to develop the UK SKA Regional Centre, (UKSRC: www.uksrc.org) for the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO: www.skao.int), the world's largest radio telescope. You will join a diverse team working in collaboration with national and international colleagues to help develop, deliver and operate the UKSRC and international Network of SKA Regional Centres (SRCNet) cloud infrastructure and computing resources, as an integral part of the development of the SKA Observatory project (www.skao.int). The UKSRC project, benefits from contributions from the Universities of Cambridge, Durham, Edinburgh, Hertfordshire, London (UCL), Manchester and the UKRI STFC Scientific Computing Division.

The successful candidate will become part of a diverse team of systems engineers, research software engineers and data scientists, developing advanced solutions to support world-class science and via the delivery of configurable, robust distributed digital research infrastructure service for processing data, and supporting the scientific exploitation of observational data, obtained with the world's largest radio telescope running on a Kubernetes (K8s) open-souplatform. In addition, this role will have the opportunity to support the development of similar cloud-based infrastructure for the Cambridge Centre of Excellence in Astronomical Data (CamCEAD), based at the Institute of Astronomy to support a range of data-intensive ground and space-based imaging and spectroscopic missions and research projects.

Skills and Experience

Preferred:

• Hands on experience in deploying and administering Linux operating systems.
• Familiarity of Ansible & Terraform for configuration management & IAC.
• Experience of virtualization technologies and cloud architecture, preferably but not limited to OpenStack.
• Proven ability to work effectively within a team and individually.
• Basic knowledge of scripting languages primarily with Python & Bash.
• Experience of CI/CD principles, ideally but not essentially using a GitOps approach, using Helm & Kustomize.
• Software development lifecycle tools, such as Git.
• Working with Agile methodologies.

Desirable:

• Use of monitoring and reporting tools, such as Prometheus and Grafana.
• Experience of GitOps tooling such as ArgoCD or FluxCD.
• Knowledge of containerization technologies using Kubernetes & Docker.
• Experience working with HPC clusters and parallel file systems.
• Experience in working in a scientific environment and/or providing support to researchers.

More information about the role is attached in the 'Further Particulars' document.

The University is supportive of hybrid working. We aim to enable as many staff as possible to work in a hybrid way if they wish, and where their role allows. This role permits the post holder to be office based or hybrid, but to be in the office regularly when required, either at the IoA at Madingley Rise, or the Research Computing Service, in the Roger Needham Building.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2027 in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check and a security check.

Conversations about flexible working are encouraged at the University of Cambridge. Please feel free to discuss flexibility prior to applying (using the contact information below) or at interview if your application is successful.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please upload your CV and cover letter in the Upload section of this application process. Names and contact details of 2 professional referees are essential. References will be requested for candidates following the application closing date and referees will be asked to complete references by the interview date where permission is given from the candidates to do so; such contact will be direct to your referees via our recruitment system.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Sean McConkey at sm2921@cam.ac.uk in the first instance, quoting reference number LG46639. If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact: HR@ast.cam.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is: 23:59 BST on 1st August 2025

The anticipated interview dates are: w/c 11th August 2025 and w/c 18th August 2025

We are seeking a start date ideally no later than 1 October 2025.

Please quote reference LG46639 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.

The Kavli Institute for Cosmology, Cambridge (KICC), affiliated with the Department of Physics, the Institute of Astronomy (IoA) and the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP), seeks to appoint an enthusiastic and highly organised Institute Coordinator. This is an exciting opportunity to join a vibrant scientific community and play a key role in the coordination of the Institute's academic and administrative activities.

The successful candidate will support the Director of KICC and oversee the smooth operation of the Institute's internal processes. You will be responsible for coordinating a diverse portfolio of activities including the administration of funding calls, recruitment of postdoctoral fellows, visitor programmes, scientific events, financial processes, and internal and external communications. You will also act as the first point-of-contact for KICC and provide a professional PA service to the Director.

This is a dynamic role requiring strong communication, organisational and interpersonal skills, the ability to manage competing priorities, and experience of working with minimal supervision. You will be liaising regularly with academic staff, visiting scientists, University departments, and external partners, and must be confident in building effective working relationships at all levels. Applicants should be educated to degree level, or have equivalent practical experience, and be proficient in the use of standard IT applications including Microsoft Office. Experience in event or project coordination and financial or HR processes would be an advantage.

Why Join Us?

At the University of Cambridge, we offer a rewarding and supportive work environment with:

• Generous Leave: 36 days annually (including bank holidays, pro rata for part-time staff).
• Career Development: Access to University training and annual development reviews.
• Work-Life Balance: Hybrid working and a collaborative, inclusive culture.
• Family-Friendly Policies: Extensive parental leave, workplace nurseries, and childcare support.
• Financial Security: Competitive pay with annual increases and a generous pension scheme.
• Exclusive Perks: Travel benefits and discounts at over 2,000 retailers.
• Join a world-class institution committed to research, innovation, and your personal growth.

Informal enquiries about the role may be directed to the IoA Departmental Administrator via departmental.administrator@ast.cam.ac.uk.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact HR@ast.cam.ac.uk.

While the role is ideally suited to being filled on a full-time basis, we are open to considering part-time or job share arrangements, with a minimum of 0.8 FTE.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Closing Date: Thursday, 24 July 2025 at 23:59 BST

Please note, should we receive a high volume of applications for this vacancy, we reserve the right to close the advert earlier than the stated closing date. Conversely, we may also extend the closing date if necessary to ensure a robust and inclusive recruitment process.

Interview Date: Week commencing 11 August 2025

Please ensure that you outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role on the online application form.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Please quote reference LG46508 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.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position to support an ambitious research programme at the University of Cambridge, focusing on modelling exoplanet interiors and atmospheres. The successful candidate will join a vibrant team led by Oliver Shorttle, the Planetary Chemistry group, dedicated to understanding the structure, processes, and habitability of exoplanets. Our research is highly interdisciplinary, combining the expertise and methodologies of the Earth and Planetary Sciences, from geophysics to geochemistry, to characterize the nature of alien worlds. These positions offer a high level of research freedom, allowing candidates to tailor the project according to their interests and expertise while leveraging the strengths of the Planetary Chemistry group at Cambridge.

The Researcher will join the wider Cambridge exoplanet community, which is part of the Leverhulme Centre for Life in the Universe. This community offers outstanding opportunities for forming new collaborations, attending and delivering talks, and joining a wider international community investigating the origin and prevalence of life.

This position is funded for three years, commencing in October 2025 or earlier. We are seeking to appoint a candidate of the highest calibre to contribute to this transformative science. The successful applicant will have a strong background in astrophysics, planetary geophysics, or a related field, and experience in atmosphere and climate modelling is highly desirable. This is an excellent opportunity to engage in pioneering research within a world-leading institution and to make significant contributions to our understanding of exoplanets.

Applicants must have a PhD in Astronomy or related field. Applicants must possess a scientific publication record and a clear outline of current/future research areas. Applicants must have excellent communication and computing skills.

The appointment will be at Grade 7 (Research Associate) £37,174 to £45,413 p.a., depending on experience/qualifications. A successful candidate not yet awarded a PhD will be appointed at Grade 5 (Research Assistant) £34,132 to £35,116 and amended to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of PhD.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please indicate the contact details of three academic referees on the online application form and upload a full curriculum vitae (CV), list of publications and a statement describing of how your research expertise can be applied to the project (1 page, A4 maximum, font size 11). Please ensure that your referees are aware that they may be contacted by the Institute of Astronomy.

The University of Cambridge is a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). DORA recognises the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated. The University expects candidates to apply the principles of DORA when preparing their applications. We do 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. More information about DORA, its principles and aims can be found at: https://sfdora.org/ and https://www.research-strategy.admin.cam.ac.uk/research-policy/DORA

The application deadline is 23:59 GMT on Sunday 18th May 2025. Where applicable, referees will be requested to provide references by Tuesday 27th May 2025.

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date and interviews are provisionally planned for: w/c 2nd June 2025.

The anticipated start date of the appointment is October 2025 or earlier.

Informal inquiries can be addressed via email to Prof. Oliver Shorttle : shorttle@ast.cam.ac.uk

If you have any queries regarding the application process please contact HR@ast.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference LG45739 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students and 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.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 30 April 2027 in the first instance with good prospects for further extension subject to grant funding. The anticipated start date is 1st June 2025 or as early as possible thereafter.

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Astronomical Data Scientist to work within the Cambridge Centre of Excellence in Astronomical Data (CamCEAD) at the Institute of Astronomy (IoA) as part of its spectroscopic analysis system development team.

WEAVE, MOONS and 4MOST are major massively-multiplexed optical/NIR spectrographs currently under advanced stages of development, deployed on the 4.2-m William Herschel, ESO VLT and VISTA telescopes respectively. They will enable large, cutting-edge spectroscopic surveys to be undertaken across both hemispheres, observing millions of stars and galaxies during their initial multi-year survey periods. Our Cambridge team has developed the spectroscopic pipelines for WEAVE and 4MOST and has responsibility for the final development, commissioning and operations of the data pipelines. We are also developing the data flow system and housing the survey operations centre for MOONS.

The successful candidate will join our software development team, developing novel scientific algorithms and applications in the areas of spectroscopic analysis and mining of the science data catalogues extracted from the pipelines. Responsibilities range from monitoring instrument health and scientific quality of the data, tracking progress of the surveys, to preparing for community observing campaigns and data releases. The role's additional duties involve supporting computational infrastructure, coordinating with wider spectroscopic project teams and external science users, contributing to documentation and user manuals, and collaborating on research programs to optimise data interpretation and usage.

Applicants will have a Ph.D. in astronomy or a related field and have a strong computing and programming background. Candidates are expected to be familiar with the acquisition and reduction of data from astronomical facilities and with the use of database and web-based systems , including familiarity with developing web interfaces for data analysis and visualisation tools . Previous experience in the development of software for large-scale spectroscopic surveys is desirable. Experience and practical knowledge of Python to query databases, manipulate large datasets, visualise data and perform numerical and statistical analysis is a requirement. Experience in handling 'big data', machine learning and working in distributed teams, is useful. Familiarity with C would be beneficial. Systems engineering experience is also advantageous for this position.

Working at the crucial interface between the instrument and the scientific output, this role would encompass on-site commissioning and support for world-leading facilities such as WHT (WEAVE), VISTA (4MOST) and VLT (MOONS). The post-holder will be required to attend meetings both elsewhere in the UK and overseas.

Salary will be on the Research Associate scale (grade 7, from £37,174 to £45,413) 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, which must be within 6 months of appointment. The Research Assistant salary (grade 5) falls within the range £34,132 to £35,116.

The post is full-time, but applications are welcome from those who would like to work flexibly to go into the advert, to consider flexible working.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please upload your CV, cover letter, publications list and research statement (3xA4 pages max, 11pt font) in the Upload section. Names and contact details of 3 academic referees are essential. References will be requested for candidates following the application closing date and referees will be asked to complete references by 22nd May 2025, such contact will be direct to your referees via our recruitment system.

Informal enquiries can be addressed via email to Dr Nicholas Walton: naw@ast.cam.ac.uk. If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact: HR@ast.cam.ac.uk .

The closing date for applications is: 23:59 BST on 4th May 2025. The anticipated interview dates are: 22nd - 23rd May 2025

Please quote reference LG45514 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students.

Applications from underrepresented groups are particularly welcome. See the further particulars for the detail of the family friendly initiatives on offer. 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.