Kavli Institute Fellowship in Cosmology and Astrophysics, University of Cambridge (Independent Postdoctoral Fellowship)
Job Description
The Kavli Institute for Cosmology in Cambridge is inviting applications for its Kavli Institute Fellowship in cosmology and astrophysics, an independent postdoctoral research fellowship of three years in the first instance, with a Senior Fellowship option for established researchers (reference KA50918).
At a glance
- Position: Kavli Institute Fellow (Research Associate, Grade 7) or Kavli Institute Senior Fellow (Assistant Research Professor, Grade 9)
- Where: Kavli Institute for Cosmology, Cambridge (Department of Physics, West Cambridge), UK
- Pay: £37,694–£46,049 a year (Fellow) or £47,389–£59,966 a year (Senior Fellow), plus £10,000 a year research allowance
- Duration: Three years in the first instance; Senior Fellows may get two more years, subject to funding
- References due: Referees should be ready to send letters by 20 October 2026
- Apply: 15 October 2026
About the Kavli Institute Fellowship in cosmology
- Build and lead your own independent research programme in cosmology or astrophysics
- Collaborate with members of the Kavli Institute, which links the Institute of Astronomy, Cavendish Astrophysics and the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP)
- Share results as publications, talks, software, datasets, instruments or enabling technologies
- Take part, if you wish, in public engagement, help supervise graduate students and contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching
The Institute welcomes theorists, observers and instrument builders. Its themes include the cosmic microwave background and the early Universe, galaxy and supermassive black hole formation and evolution, cosmic reionisation, the intergalactic medium, dark matter, large-scale structure and precision cosmology, compact objects, gravitational waves and multi-messenger astrophysics, and new instruments and analysis techniques. The cover letter must say which of nine broad research areas listed in the ad best describes the proposed programme, and whether you are applying for the Fellowship or the Senior Fellowship.
Why this role matters
Named independent fellowships are the step between a first postdoc and a permanent post: the fellow sets the research agenda rather than working on someone else’s grant. This one adds a personal research allowance, a relocation package and access to three strong departments at once, which makes it a realistic launch pad for an early-career astrophysicist with their own ideas, including applicants from Indian groups working on CMB, galaxy surveys or gravitational waves.
What University of Cambridge is looking for
- A PhD in astrophysics or a related field, or a PhD thesis submitted by the start date of the fellowship
- Research interests that fit one or more of the Institute’s scientific themes
- The ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary setting
- Clear communication of your research
Nice to have
- For the Senior Fellowship: an exceptional and established research record, as the ad reserves Grade 9 for such candidates
Pay and location
Kavli Institute Fellows are paid on the Research Associate scale (Grade 7, £37,694 to £46,049 a year). Exceptional and established researchers may be appointed as Kavli Institute Senior Fellows on the Assistant Research Professor scale (Grade 9, £47,389 to £59,966 a year). Every fellow receives a research allowance of £10,000 a year, and a relocation package is offered. The ad also notes that the contract can be extended to cover any parental leave taken. The University notes that it must make sure every employee is eligible to live and work in the UK, so applicants from outside the UK should read its guidance on visas before accepting an offer.
How to apply
Apply through the official University of Cambridge page. The closing date is 15 October 2026. Apply online with a CV, cover letter, publication list and a research statement of at most three A4 pages, and give the names and contact details of three academic referees. Quote reference KA50918.
See all our postdoc positions, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: University of Cambridge
Official advertisement: www.jobs.cam.ac.uk
How to prepare for this application
- Write a real programme, not a project: the three-page research statement (11 pt, references included) should show what you would lead independently over three years.
- Map yourself onto KICC: name the research area(s) from the ad's list and the people across IoA, Cavendish Astrophysics and DAMTP you would work with.
- Decide Fellow or Senior Fellow honestly: the cover letter must say which you want; the Senior track is for established researchers.
- Brief three referees early: the University contacts them after you apply, and they should be ready to send letters by 20 October 2026.
- Show outputs beyond papers: the ad counts software, datasets and instruments as research outputs, so list any public codes or pipelines you have built.
About the University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge in England is one of the oldest universities in the world, founded in 1209. It is a collegiate university of 31 colleges and more than 100 departments, faculties and institutes, and its researchers work across the sciences, medicine, engineering, the humanities and social sciences. Postdoctoral researchers are employed by the University on grades set out in its pay scales, with Research Associate posts usually at Grade 7.
