Overview
The Institute of Metabolic Science Epidemiology unit (IMS Epidemiology) seeks to appoint an Assistant Research Professor. The position is based within the Global Health team at IMS Epidemiology - as part of the Cambridge Africa Diaspora Centre for Healthy, Hopeful Urban Futures (UrbanBetter Academy @ Cambridge). The primary role of this post is to provide senior research and methodological leadership across the Centre’s transdisciplinary research portfolio at the intersection of urban health, climate and policy ensuring high standards of rigour, ethics and impact across multiple funded projects.
The IMS Epidemiology is based within the Institute of Metabolic Sciences at the School of Clinical Medicine on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. It undertakes research that investigates the aetiology and prevention of obesity, diabetes and related metabolic disorders to improve population health globally. The post forms part of the Cambridge Africa Diaspora Centre for Healthy, Hopeful Urban Futures (UrbanBetter Academy @ Cambridge), a new Centre based at IMS Epidemiology in partnership with UrbanBetter. The Centre is a node of the networked UrbanBetter Academy and focuses on building evidence, coalitions and skills to shape healthier, climate-resilient urban futures in African cities. It supports transdisciplinary research, training and coalition-building programmes funded by multiple organisations and works closely with universities in Africa, city leaders, youth-led networks and practitioners.
The successful candidate will hold a PhD in a relevant field and have substantial experience leading transdisciplinary and participatory research, including work in African or Global South contexts. The successful candidate will be expected to have significant experience leading research design and mixed-methods approaches and supervising postgraduate researchers. They will be expected to contribute to academic publications, policy-relevant outputs and future grant development, supporting career progression alongside delivery of the Centre’s core programmes. They will also be expected to contribute actively to the Centre’s training and coalition-building initiatives, supporting capacity development, collaborative learning and evidence-informed engagement with partners across Africa and globally. The role offers the postholder space and institutional support to develop their own independent collaborative research agenda, aligned with the Centre’s mission.
Responsibilities
* Provide senior research and methodological leadership across the Centre’s transdisciplinary research portfolio at the intersection of urban health, climate and policy.
* Contribute to high standards of rigour, ethics and impact across multiple funded projects.
* Contribute to academic publications, policy-relevant outputs and future grant development.
* Lead research design and mixed-methods approaches and supervise postgraduate researchers.
* Contribute to the Centre’s training and coalition-building initiatives, supporting capacity development and collaborative learning.
* Develop an independent, collaborative research agenda aligned with the Centre’s mission.
* Support engagement with partners across Africa and globally.
Qualifications
* PhD in a relevant field.
* Substantial experience leading transdisciplinary and participatory research, including work in African or Global South contexts.
* Significant experience leading research design and mixed-methods approaches and supervising postgraduate researchers.
* Experience contributing to academic publications, policy-relevant outputs and future grant development.
Benefits and conditions
Alongside a competitive salary, University staff are eligible for a comprehensive package of benefits and services including discounts on shopping, health care, financial services and public transport. We also offer defined benefits pension schemes and tax-efficient bicycle, car lease and charity-giving schemes.
The role can be performed as a hybrid position; the number of days in the office can be negotiated with the academic lead.
Contract and eligibility
This is a fixed-term position for 3 years, subject to funding and satisfactory completion of a 6-month probationary period.
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.
How to apply
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 a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. 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 include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager. Closing date: 9 March 2026. Interview date: 17–18 March 2026. Please quote reference SJ48867 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
Enquiries
Informal enquiries about the role are welcome and may be directed to Professor Oni (to317@cam.ac.uk). Queries about the application process can be directed to the HR Coordinators (Recruitment@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk or 01223 769115).
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