The Institute of Astronomy is pleased to invite applications from suitably qualified researchers who wish to apply for a Stephen Hawking Fellowship to be held at the Institute in an area that complements or enhances research being undertaken at the Institute.

The Stephen Hawking fellowships will support and develop the next generation of visionary scientists in theoretical physics (including cosmology and theoretical astrophysics) at the beginning of their career. This scheme aims to support excellent researchers who will make significant contributions to the field of theoretical physics and continue to spark public interest in the field. 

For further details please see: Stephen Hawking Postdoctoral Fellowship – UKRI

In the first instance applicants should make contact with a member of the Institute's Academic Staff who has related research interests to discuss the possibility of hosting the fellowship within the Institute. Note: we have three academics starting who can also be contacted for support (Prof. Hiranya Peiris <hiranya.peiris[at]fysik.su.se>, Dr. Miles Cranmer <miles.cranmer[at]gmail.com>, Dr. Chris Moore <cjm8917[at]gmail.com>).

Once applicants have engaged with a member of the Institute's Academic staff, a pre-application may be made by submitting:

•     narrative cv (Please ensure this is in the new "narrative cv" four-module format as detailed here: Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) guidance – UKRI

•     publication list

•     draft research proposal [maximum length six-pages of A4. Applicants should cover "Vision" and "Approach" aspects as described in the UKRI application guidelines

•     name of the IoA Staff member who has agreed to support the application.

Materials should be sent to fellowships@ast.cam.ac.uk with attachments as a single .pdf format file. STFC specify that documents must be submitted as pdf attachments in 11 point Arial (or equivalent regular sans serif) font and have a minimum 2 cm margin.

Applicants should also request that their endorsing IoA academic staff member send a statement in support of their application to the same e-mail address by the same deadline.

Pre-applications must be received no later than 19th July. All applicants will be informed of the outcome during the week commencing 24th July.

Successful pre-application candidates will be provided with support and advice to improve their application before submission to EPSRC. If selected for interview, the Institute of Astronomy will arrange mock interviews to further support our candidates and maximise their chances of success.

The EPSRC closing date for submission of applications is 4pm 28th September. All materials will need to be submitted via the TFS system by 5pm 21st September to give time for checking, approval and ultimate submission by Cambridge University Research Services Division.

The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students. The Institute particularly welcomes applications from women and/or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented. We have an active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 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 Career Support Fund, formally returning-carer scheme, childcare costs support, university workplace nurseries, university holiday pay- 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.