Department of Physics Jobs

Do you enjoy working with students, building collaborative relationships, and staying organised? Join the MPhil in Data Intensive Science (MPhil DIS) team as a Course Administrator and help support a large, dynamic new programme at the interface of AI and fundamental physics.

The MPhil DIS is a diverse and growing programme, delivered by seven core academic staff across three departments (Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy), with contributions from over 70 academics in teaching and supervision. The course is a leader in implementing initiatives such as contextual admissions, preventative mental health support, communication and leadership training, and additional non-examined courses and seminars on advanced topics. Our student cohort is diverse, with a near-even gender split and participants from a wide range of backgrounds and career stages.

As Course Administrator, you will work closely with the Course Coordinator in supporting the Course Director to ensure the smooth delivery of the programme. The role has varied responsibilities requiring a high level of accuracy, numeracy and adaptability - the key areas are:

Coordinating teaching and examinations, supporting the admissions process (with over 500 applications annually);

Making the arrangements for colleagues who are paid on a sessional or hourly basis via the university's bespoke payroll system, the Cambridge Casual Worker System (CCWS) for work across all University departments involved on the MPhil; this includes tracking staff contributions and processing payments;

Organising additional programme events, and serving as a first point of contact for approximately 70 to 80 students;

Maintaining the course timetable on the University of Cambridge Timetabling App and/or Google calendar.

The successful candidate will be proficient in using Microsoft Office software, including Excel; have well developed organisational skills; and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively (oral and written). You should be able to work collaboratively, with a high level of accuracy and have excellent attention to detail. You will be educated to HND, HNC, level 4/5 vocational qualification or hold an equivalent level of practical experience. Administrative experience in a Higher Education environment and/or knowledge of course administration would be beneficial in this role, and a high level of numeracy is essential.

The MPhil DIS is based in the Maxwell Centre, with most teaching activities held in the new, state-of-the-art West Hub in Cambridge. Further information about the programme is available at https://mphildis.bigdata.cam.ac.uk/.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 10 November 2027 in the first instance.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

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

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to Sri Aitken, Course Coordinator at admin.mphildis@phy.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference KA46605 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 Cavendish Laboratory has an exciting opportunity for a new Receptionist to join our passionate and dedicated community. Working as part of the Soft Facilities team, the role-holder will provide a welcoming, friendly and efficient reception service to all users of the Department. We have recently moved into our new state-of-the-art, Ray Dolby Centre which will be the centrepiece of the new Cavendish Laboratory. This is an exciting and challenging time for the Department, and we would like to find a highly motivated individual with a positive attitude towards change and development to join us. The Department is home to over 2000 staff, students and visitors across a large range of disciplines and categories, where exemplary delivery of world-leading, innovative research programmes and teaching takes place and where the provision of an outstanding soft facilities service will be vital to delivering the vision for the new Estate. Working alongside a number of facilities operatives, the successful candidate will be a positive, friendly and organised individual with a commitment to service delivery. You will be able to deal with all enquires in a professional manner, ensuring accuracy of information both in written and spoken communication form. You will be required to operate a number of systems and develop processes to book resource allocations, update or maintain data, and ensure building security and timely emergency or first aid response.

The successful candidate will have previous experience from a front facing customer focused role, preferably in an educational setting. You will be able to communicate effectively and interact positively with staff, students and visitors, with a confident approach and positive attitude. You will work efficiently to complete tasks and will have initiative to prioritise when necessary.

This full-time post is available now. Additional information regarding the role and information about employee benefits may be found within the Further Particulars via the link below.

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

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to Ren Isaksen at ri316@cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference KA45411 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 VISIONLab, led by Prof. Sarah Bohndiek, create and deploy state-of-the-art spectroscopic imaging tools to improve early cancer detection. We are co-located in the Department of Physics and the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute at the University of Cambridge, providing us with a direct pathway from initial testing of brand-new hardware, to application in animal models and deployment in proof-of-principle human clinical trials at Addenbrooke's Hospital, accelerating our healthcare impact.

We are seeking a Research Assistant to join our collaborative research environment to advance the development of equitable wearable technologies. Combining optical simulations and experimental studies, the successful candidate will conduct their own research project and support ongoing efforts in the laboratory exploring the limit of detection of transcutaneous and deep tissue imaging. The project is part of a major EPSRC-funded initiative, the Ubiquitous Optical Healthcare Technologies (UbOHTs) Programme Grant, which focuses on developing the next-generation of biosensors for precision health and is a collaboration between the Universities of Cambridge, York, Strathclyde and Exeter. Involvement in the programme grant will provide opportunities for training, networking and developing leadership skills on a national and international scale.

The VISIONLab is seeking a highly motivated and curiosity-driven individual who has completed undergraduate training in computer science, mathematics, or physics. Demonstrable experience in successful delivery of computational research projects and a high level of confidence in Python programming is essential. Practical knowledge of experimental implementation of optical imaging instrumentation and performing the associated data handling and analysis is also essential. Experience in Monte Carlo modelling of light-tissue interactions, an understanding of computational image reconstruction, or experience in biomedical image analysis would also be desirable. It is essential that the individual demonstrate a strong open-science ethos.

You should be able to demonstrate a strong scientific track record including paper, data, and open-source code publication, as well as presentation at international research conferences, commensurate with their research experience. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the laboratory, excellent communication and team working skills are essential. Key responsibilities will likely include: advanced computational modelling and simulation; conducting experimental validation of computational findings; and supporting graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the laboratory.

For more information on the research of the laboratory, please see http://www.bohndieklab.org. The successful candidate would ideally start as soon as possible after receiving the offer. Support is provided towards relocation expenses where appropriate.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months in the first instance.

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

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to molly.bridger@cruk.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference KA46621 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 for 12 months, starting on 1st October 2025.

A position exists for a Research Associate in the Physics and Chemistry of Solids research group at the Cavendish Laboratory (Physics Department).

The aim of the role is to explore damage characterisation of composite and related materials by quantifying the relationship between damage causal metrics and damage extend or mechanism.

During the 12-month period of the contract, the successful candidate will undertake the following research activities:

• Selection and acquisition/preparation of materials to be studied
• Application of damage to the prepared samples over a range of temperatures and strain rates, extracting quantitative causal metrics.
• Characterisation of damage, using X-ray computed tomography and mechanical testing for measurement of the residual strength of the samples post-damage, extracting quantitative damage metrics.
• Identification of the relationship between the causal and damage metrics.
• Production of a report to communicate the important findings to the community of interest, with the potential for presenting the outcome in a relevant conference.

The role holder will have the opportunity to use new, state-of-the-art X-ray computed tomography equipment, which will be part of the Collaborative R&D Environment (CORDE) in the Ray Dolby Centre of the Cavendish Laboratory. They will collaborate with specialist technicians within the facility, fellow researchers in the PCS group, and non-academic partners within the community of interest.

Appointment at Research Associate is dependent on having a PhD including those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD and those who are in the process of submitting their PhD thesis (in which case appointment will initially be made at research assistant, Grade 5, and amended to research associate when the PhD is awarded). On receipt of PhD award, the appointee will move to Grade 7.

The ideal candidate will have a background in damage characterisation. Essential prerequisites include experience using X-ray computed tomography and laboratory experience including chemical, x-ray, cryogen, compressed gasses safety and training records. Knowledge of image processing techniques and relevant programming languages that facilitate these, is also essential.

The post holder will be located at the Ray Dolby Centre, Cavendish Laboratory 19 JJ Thomson Avenue Cambridge CB3 0US, UK.

Salary Ranges: Research Assistant £34,132 (Grade 5) or Research Associate £37,174- £45,413 (Grade 7).

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) and a covering letter, in the upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please submit your application by midnight on the closing date.

Please be advised that references will be required in advance of interviews, for longlisted candidates.

If you have any questions about this vacancy please contact Dr Malvina Constantinou (mc954@cam.ac.uk). If you have any questions about the application process, please contact hr@phy.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference KA46597 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 Department of Physics is looking for a Finance Assistant to join their friendly team during an exciting period. The Department has recently taken occupancy of its new, state of the art, research facility, the Ray Dolby Centre.

We are based on the West Cambridge site and the role supports the finance administration needs of the Department of Physics.

The successful candidate will primarily support the AP Accounts Payable and expense processing function within the Physics Department. Other responsibilities will include, but are not limited to; carrying out financial management and reporting activities on both general ledger accounts and research grants; provide financial advice to budget holders; assist with month-end, half year-end and year-end processes; ensure recharges and expenses are processed in a timely manner; contribute to the review of financial processes and procedures to ensure compliance with the University's Financial Regulations and cover for other Finance staff when required.

The ideal candidate will be educated to GCSE level (or equivalent qualification) in Maths and English, and have experience in an accounts-based role, with use of accountancy software packages and relevant reporting tools. You will have intermediate to advanced Excel skills in data manipulation and the presentation of financial information, good numerical problem-solving skills, attention to detail, as well as accuracy and the ability to work to tight deadlines.

In return we offer a competitive salary, generous annual leave entitlement (36 days inclusive of bank holidays), a wide range of benefits known as CAMbens, family friendly policies to help maintain the work-life balance as well as development opportunities.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

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 Paul Game at finance.advisor@phy.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference KA46504 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.