PhD Candidate/Research Assistant

A Research Assistant/PhD Student position is available from 1 October 2026 for up to 48 months, to work with Professor Stephen Montgomery. This Research Assistant position would allow for the post holder also undertake a postgraduate course (PhD) at the University in Department of Zoology, located in Central Cambridge.

The RA-PhD Student will work on understanding the evolution of neural circuits associated with a major expansion of the insect learning and memory centre, the mushroom bodies, in Heliconius butterflies. They will be part of a team of researchers with complementary expertise in bioinformatics, development and neuroscience, with opportunities for collaboration across the project while also pursuing their own objectives. They will have a dedicated training budget and a supportive and engaged supervision team.

This work will be undertaken as part of the recently awarded Wellcome Trust Discovery grant on the developmental control of neural cell number and type and will directly contribute towards the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies that the successful candidate will be enrolled in at the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge.

Duties will include Development of species-specific protocols; Running experiments in the laboratory; Data collection, analysis and interpretation; Preparation of manuscripts for publication; Assistance in the maintenance of animal stocks and lab equipment; Co-supervision of project students working on related topics; Collaboration with team members.

Essential skills: BSc/MSc. degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject (e.g. biological sciences, neuroscience, or similar), completed or completion imminent. Determination and enthusiasm to do research. Ability to work effectively and independently in a collaborative research team setting. Strong quantitative and analytical skills, fluency in English Excellent interpersonal and communication skills A commitment to open and inclusive science Enthusiasm to interact with colleagues.

**An offer of employment will be conditional upon the candidate being formally accepted onto the PhD programme in Zoology. **

**For application instructions see **https://www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/research-assistant-fixed-term-pf47939