Herchel Smith Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

(THREE POSTS; ref HSFBC001)

The Managers of the Herchel Smith Postdoctoral Research Fellowships Fund invite applications in the general fields of biochemistry, molecular biology and molecular genetics to be held in the appropriate Department at the University of Cambridge from 1 October 2009 or otherwise by negotiation. Fellowships are available for between two or three years. These Fellowships provide an opportunity for independent research, although the holders will usually work in close collaboration with an established research groups. Information relating to the School of Biological Sciences can be found at http://www.bio.cam.ac.uk/.

In accordance with Dr. Smith’s will, applications are restricted to candidates who have completed their PhD degree, or equivalent, within the last three years at any university but normally excluding Cambridge and Harvard.

The stipend will be on the University’s Postdoctoral Research Associate scale which currently is between £25,888 to £33,780 per annum (pay award pending). Appointment will be at an appropriate point on this scale. Fellows also receive £10,000 p.a. for research expenses.

Closing date for applications: 1 December 2008. Further details and application pack are available from the Secretary to the Fund Managers, Tel. +44 (0)1223 761507, e-mail jw312@admin.cam.ac.uk.

David Baulcombe awarded ‘America’s Nobel’ Prize for medical research

David Baulcombe, the Professor of Botany at Cambridge University, is being honoured with the 2008 Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research for his discovery of how tiny RNA molecules govern gene activity through a process known as RNA silencing.

Article by David Baulcombe
The Lasker Foundation award description
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David Baulcombe's research page

Audioclips added to Science Week page

Audioclips added to Science Week page.

David Coomes promoted to University Senior Lecturer

Congratulations to David Coomes who has been promoted to University Senior Lecturer from 1 October 2008.

David Baulcombe wins award

David Baulcombe, the Professor of Botany, has been awarded the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science for 2008

The medal has been presented by the Franklin Institute to Victor Ambros, Gary Ruvkun and David Baulcombe for their discovery of small RNAs that turn off genes. The Franklin Institute has honored the greatest men and women of science, engineering and technology since 1824.

Biotechnology YES finalists

Congratulations to Holly Astley, Sophie Janacek, Keith Macaulay and Bettina Otto on reaching the Biotechnology YES final in London, after winning their regional workshop in Edinburgh. Biotechnology YES is a scheme that introduces business skills and entrepreneurship to PhD students and 1st year postdocs, in a competition format. Their fictional company 'PhytoMetriX' developed a colour indicator system in wheat and maize plants to determine the nitrate levels in soil, changing colour when nitrate was low, thereby assisting farmers in feeding regimes.

Plant Scientists win teaching prize

The Pedagogy Project - comprising Frances Tracy, Katy Jordan and Keith Johnstone in the Department of Plant Sciences - has been awarded first place in the British Education Research Association (BERA) SAGE Awards 2007.

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