Associate Professor / Professor of Developmental Plasticity and Robustness

The School of Biological Sciences is pleased to invite applications for four new Grade 10 or Grade 11 (depending on experience) Professorship positions, available from October 2025:

• Associate Professor / Professor of Developmental Plasticity and Robustness
• Associate Professor / Professor of Evolutionary Genomics
• Associate Professor / Professor of Infection and/or Immunity
• Associate Professor / Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology

The posts align with School’s research strategy to foster innovative research across disciplinary boundaries.

The focus of the Associate Professor / Professor of Developmental Plasticity and Robustness will be to build a world-leading research programme, deliver excellent teaching, and to positively engage with academic leadership both in the home Department(s) and across the School of Biological Sciences.

The successful applicant will have an excellent track record in the study of developmental and/or reproductive mechanisms that enable resilience to perturbations or to alterations of the environment. Applications are welcomed from outstanding individuals who use model organisms or make use of 3D culture approaches to tackle fundamental questions in the field. Examples might include mechanisms underpinning the capacity of embryos to regulate patterning and/or regenerate tissues and organs; processes that ameliorate impact of external influences on early life and/or women’s health; mechanisms of resilience that enable healthy ageing across the lifespan. The remit aligns with the School’s Reproduction, Development and Lifelong Health Research Theme, which brings together groups from across many Departments and disciplines and has three ongoing “Grand Challenges”: Complex tissue regeneration across scales and systems, Extending healthy lifespan, Women’s reproductive health. Also of relevance is the recently established Human Developmental Biology Initiative, which will nucleate and grow research efforts in this field, building on existing strengths. These initiatives will enable the post-holder to situate their research within areas of strategic importance and rapidly establish research interactions with other groups across the School of Biological Sciences.

Academic responsibilities associated with this role will include delivering undergraduate and postgraduate lectures, practical classes and small group supervisions, engaging with the Research Theme initiatives, and to positively contribute to the inclusive and collaborative ethos of the School. Mentoring and professional development of staff and students is expected as part of our inclusive and supportive community.

The departmental home for this exciting new position will be collaboratively discussed with the candidate to ensure best strategic fit based on expertise and research direction.