New Blood Fellowships for Basic Scientists at the MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit
MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit
The Medical Research Council (MRC) and Wellcome Trust have recently invested £24m in obesity research led by
the Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science (IMS). This includes establishing the MRC Metabolic
Diseases Unit (MDU), the first MRC-University unit to be developed from scratch. The aim of both MDU and IMS
is to improve understanding of the mechanisms responsible for obesity and related metabolic diseases, with the
eventual goal of developing interventions to prevent and treat these conditions.
The MDU opened in 2013 and incorporates 4 programmes of research, plus support for state-of-the-art core
facilities to support basic research in metabolic disease. The MDU runs alongside the University of Cambridge
Metabolic Research Laboratories, which accommodates 18 research groups with a wide range of basic, clinical
and translational research expertise, and benefits from established links with research institutes throughout the
Cambridge area. Together, the MDU and MRL provide a superb research environment in modern purpose-built
laboratories on the Addenbrooke’s Biomedical Campus.
New Blood Fellowships in Metabolic Diseases
The MDU has created two ‘New Blood’ Fellowships to support outstanding candidates at the start of
their independent academic careers. These prestigious fellowships are intended for basic scientists
working in the broad area of metabolic disease who have already demonstrated exceptional talent and
the clear potential to become an international leader in their field. We seek applications from
individuals who wish to begin to establish their own independent laboratory and expect applicants to
have a track record of publishing in high profile journals.
Candidates will normally be expected to be within 5-10 years of receipt of their PhD but those with less
typical career trajectories will also be considered.
The fellowships are three-year appointments and include a salary for the fellow in the range £2785436298 or £37382-47314, according to experience. Salary for a research assistant or technician and contribution
towards laboratory expenses are also included.
It is anticipated that, during the award, successful candidates will
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Develop an exciting, independent programme of research
Submit a research fellowship application to a major external funding body that will enable them to
further develop their research programme at the MDU
As members of the MDU and the University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, successful
candidates will have access to excellent training support offered by both the MRC and the University of
Cambridge. On appointment, fellows will be personally mentored by Professor Sir Steve O’Rahilly, Director of the
MDU, who will provide advice on grant writing, research group management, etc. In addition, fellows will have
access to the full range of career development resources offered by the University and the MRC, and will be
encouraged to identify wider training opportunities as appropriate.
Fellows will be exposed to a broad range of opportunities to develop the translational impact of their research.
These include, for example, regular weekly seminars by groups throughout the institute and other world-leading
groups. New Blood Fellows wishing to develop their work in animal models of disease will receive practical
support for pilot studies in our Disease Model Core in order to test the physiological significance of basic
research concepts in whole animals. The unique partnership opportunities presented by co-location with major
pharmaceutical companies on the Addenbrooke’s Campus will expose New Blood Fellows to translational
research opportunities in industry.
To apply
Please send an initial expression of interest to the Director of the MDU, Prof Sir Stephen O’Rahilly
(so104@medschl.cam.ac.uk), with copies to the Research Manager, Dr Maria Adams
(ma454@medschl.cam.ac.uk). This should include a brief cv (including a full list of publications) and a short (1-2
pages) summary of research interests. Please provide contact details for at least 3 referees, at least one of which
should be external to your current research institution.
Applications can be submitted electronically at any time.
Applications will be considered until two fellows are appointed.