School of Biological Sciences

⭐ Spotlight on: Viktoria Krivdova

Our ‘Spotlight on’ series is back!

Today, we’re featuring Viktoria Krivdova, a PhD student on our BBSRC Doctoral Training Programme, to hear about her academic journey and experiences.

Read Viktoria’s story: bio-cam-spotlight-on.my.canva.site/viktoria-kri...

We have extended the deadline for our fully funded MPhil programme until the 2nd April for people from underrepresented backgrounds. You can also still apply for self-funded places available to everyone.

Learn more and apply here: buff.ly/Yw1w4Lr
@cambridgebiosci.bsky.social

Explore our Microbiome research: www.bio.cam.ac.uk/research/mic...

‘Hidden’ bugs in our gut appear key to good health, finds global study An understudied group of bacteria in our gut microbiome appears to play a central role in keeping us healthy, according to researchers at the University of

Is there a missing link in our gut health? 🦠

New research from Alexandre Almeida’s lab has uncovered a ‘hidden group’ of bacteria - known as CAG-170 - that appears to be an indicator of human health.

Read the full story: www.cam.ac.uk/research/new...

@alexmsalmeida.bsky.social

A group of Cambridge scientists stand together in a laboratory, smiling at the camera. One person holds a book titled ‘Self-Doubt’. A text banner reads: ‘Cambridge scientists share the truth behind their successes and reflect on the power of failure.’

What does it take to succeed in science? Failure.

Cambridge scientists from @labliston.bsky.social share the self-doubt behind their careers.

Self-Doubt by Adrian Liston from @stcatharines.bsky.social and the Department of Pathology is Out tomorrow 👇

https://bit.ly/4a4tWUE
#Careers #Science

📣 The 2026 Milner Consortium Call is open!

Are you an academic at University of Cambridge, Wellcome Sanger Institute or Babraham Institute?

Do you have an idea for a pre-clinical project that would benefit from industry expertise?

Find out more: https://www.milner.cam.ac.uk/consortiumcall

📣 The Roving Researcher scheme is expanding!

We are delighted to share that the School of Biological Sciences has received funding from the UKRI EPSRC EDI Hub+ to pilot an expansion of our Roving Researcher scheme!

Read more: www.bio.cam.ac.uk/news/funding...

#EDIHubPlus #InclusiveResearch

Jobs The School of Biological Sciences strive to deliver education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence in an inclusive and collaborative environment.

➡️ Research Associate - Lilley Group, Department of Biochemistry:
🔗 www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
📆 Closing date: 13 February 2026

Explore these and other opportunities on our website: www.bio.cam.ac.uk/jobs

➡️ Senior Research Laboratory Technician, Milner Therapeutics Institute:
🔗 www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/senior-...
📆 Closing date: 28 January 2026

➡️ Research Associate in Neurocomputation, Department of Psychology:
🔗 www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
📆 Closing date: 27 January 2026

➡️ Russell R. Geiger Professorship of Crop Science, Department of Plant Sciences:
🔗 www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/russell...
📆 Closing date: 23 January 2026

We’re hiring! Join a vibrant and inclusive research community in the School of Biological Sciences!

Discover our jobs of the week 👇

#ScienceJobs #Academia

📣 There are still a few weeks left to apply for the Cambridge Amgen Scholars Programme!

➡️ Read more about the programme and find out what you need to do to apply: amgenscholars.bio.cam.ac.uk

Apply by 1 February.

#AmgenScholars #ResearchPlacement

@profsanderlinden.bsky.social and his team uncovered real costs of creating a bot army. It's unnervingly low👀

Read @cam.ac.uk press release below👇

The story also featured in @reuters.com & @financialtimes.com
The original article in @science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Applications are still open for the 2026 Experience Postgrad Life Sciences programme!

💶 paid 8-week placements, open to UK and ROI undergraduates
🔬 hands-on lab experience
🤝 training, networking and mentorship
📍 @corpuscambridge.bsky.social

➡️ www.exppg.lifesci.cam.ac.uk

This idea must die: 'Female bodies are too complicated for science' The outdated notion that female bodies are ‘too complicated’ for science, due to their hormonal variability, has long influenced biomedical research.

An insightful interview with Professor Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri discussing the reasons and consequences of women’s underrepresentation in scientific research: ‘This idea must die: Female bodies are too complicated for science'

Read the interview: www.alumni.cam.ac.uk/magazine/iss...

Interior of Sainsbury Laboratory building showing experimental laboratories on left with floor-to-ceiling glass facing into the main central avenue with people walking on stairs and sitting at study boxes. Lots of natural light and views to the Cambrdge University Botanic Garden. Overlay text "Join SLCU" and logos and closing date of 15 January 2026.

🌱 2x David Sainsbury Career Development Fellowships at @slcuplants.bsky.social

Unique opportunity for early-career researchers to launch their own independent research programme in quantitative plant development, with generous support & world-class facilities.

www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/david-s...

Eight Cambridge researchers awarded €17 million in ERC Consolidator Grants Funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme will support promising mid-career scientists to pursue creative research ideas across a broad range

Read more about the projects: www.cam.ac.uk/research/new...

📣 Four exceptional researchers in the School of Biological Sciences have been awarded prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grants!

Congratulations to all ERC awardees!
@camzoology.bsky.social @pdncambridge.bsky.social @campsydept.bsky.social

📣 The Milner Therapeutics Consortium Call returns in January with its sixth call for research proposals.

Join our Q&A webinar to learn more and ask questions about the Call!

🗓️ 22 Jan ⏰ 10am 📍 Online

🔗 Call & Webinar details: http://www.milner.cam.ac.uk/consortiumcall/

🎉 An incredible milestone for the Isaac Science Platform!

We’re very proud to support this initiative to cover biology resources for UK school pupils!

📣 We are thrilled to share that researchers in the School of Biological Sciences have received major funding from Wellcome to drive breakthroughs across three key areas: Women's Biology, Mental Health, and Climate Science!

Read the full article: www.bio.cam.ac.uk/news/major-f...

2025 summer students in Cambridge

🔬 Experience Research Life at Cambridge!

Applications are now open for the 2026 Experience Postgrad Life Sciences Programme. Gain hands-on lab experience with an 8-week summer placement, in partnership with @corpuscambridge.bsky.social!

🔗 www.exppg.lifesci.cam.ac.uk

#SummerPlacement #Cambridge

Growing More With Less | Crop Science Centre The world is changing rapidly. Across Africa and Asia, smallholder farmers stand at the frontline of a global challenge: feeding growing populations in the face of climate stress, soil degradation, and dwindling natural resources. How can we grow more food — with less land, less water, and fewer emissions - while ensuring every community has enough to eat? At the University of Cambridge, a team of scientists, partners, and innovators are working together to answer that question. The Crop Science Centre is a global hub where science meets society to create a fairer, more sustainable future for farming. Its mission is to make global food production more equitable, sustainable, and resilient. They are driven by the belief that innovation must serve everyone — not just those who can afford it. https://www.cropsciencecentre.org/

New film premiered at #COP30 today shows how @cam.ac.uk Crop Science Centre's global partnerships are empowering farmers for future food security.

📽️ tinyurl.com/5ac6ymmd

👉 tinyurl.com/mr2ke37s

@cgiar.org @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social @paszkowskilab.bsky.social @stjohnscollege.bsky.social

🌟 Ready to take the next step in your career?

Applications are open for the Cambridge Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme! 🔬

➡️ Fully funded opportunities: supported by the BBSRC

Learn more and apply now: bbsrcdtp.lifesci.cam.ac.uk/how-apply

#Postgraduate #Cambridge #PhD

School researchers awarded major collaborative funding from the Four leading scientists in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, working with colleagues in other European institutions, have been awarded Synergy Grants from the European

Congratulations to our 4 researchers awarded European Research Council (ERC) Synergy Grants!

These collaborative awards will support ambitious interdisciplinary projects in innovative areas of the biological sciences.

Read more about the projects: www.bio.cam.ac.uk/news/school-...

#ERCSyG

📢 Applications for the 2026 Cambridge Amgen Scholars Programme are now open!

• Open to undergraduate students – UK & Europe
• Fully paid 8-week lab-based placements
• All scholars housed in college accommodation

Eligibility & how to apply: amgenscholars.bio.cam.ac.uk

#Cambridge #AmgenScholars

Dark blue graphic with white Functional and Evolutionary Genomics logo (DNA inside a cog wheel). Profile photos of Theme Leads Alex Almeida, Kate S. Baker, and John Welch. Quote from Dr John Welch reads: "Cambridge is full of great researchers working on different parts of complex problems. A real benefit of the Research Themes is bringing these researchers together, showing how apparently different research programmes can illuminate and energise one another."

Our final leadership team to reintroduce are the brilliant leads of the Functional and Evolutionary Genomics Theme. New lead John shares his thoughts on research across the School. Learn more on our website: www.bio.cam.ac.uk @camvetschool.bsky.social @geneticscam.bsky.social #BiologicalSciences

Sir John Gurdon, 1933-2025 | Wellcome A Nobel-winning scientist of great modesty and humour, John Gurdon died on 7 October. He made a discovery that opened up the field of cloning research, and created one of the best environments for res...

A Nobel-winning scientist of great modesty and humour, John Gurdon died on 7 Oct. Not only did he make a discovery that laid the foundations for stem cell research, he also created one of the best environments for research at the Wellcome/CRUK Gurdon Institute wellcome.org/news/sir-joh...

Graphic with image of scientist at microscope and text: Applications open for 2026 start.

📢 Want to join a community driving scientific, medical and technological innovation?

Applications are now open for our MPhil in Therapeutic Sciences!

🔗 Find out more and apply: www.ats.cam.ac.uk/mphil-therap...

#TherapeuticSciences #MPhil #Cambridge #Masters