Research Associate in Cognitive Architecture (Fixed Term)

The Department of Architecture are seeking an outstanding Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to join the international EVIDENT project – a cutting-edge research initiative investigating how the architectural design of Emergency Departments (EDs) affects clinical communication, collaboration, and care delivery.

The post is expected to begin on 01 October 2025 and will be fixed term for two years.

The postholder will be based at the University of Cambridge, working within the Cambridge Cognitive Architecture Lab (CCA), led by Dr Michal Gath-Morad, and will collaborate closely with partners at ETH Zurich, Northumbria University, University Hospital Zurich and University College London (UCL). https://www.arct.cam.ac.uk.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of healthcare environments through rigorous, interdisciplinary research across architecture, cognition, and clinical practice.

The post-holder will play a central role in designing and delivering fieldwork in active hospital environments, analysing spatial and behavioural data, and contributing to evidence-based design tools. They will also support the development of large-scale design mockups and stakeholder-facing outputs.

Further information on the "key responsibilities" of this role can be found in the Further Information document below.

Frequent travel to Zurich will be required to conduct field studies in collaboration with ETH Zurich and Zurich University Hospital.

This position is open to applicants from a range of disciplinary backgrounds. Candidates do not need to be architects, but should demonstrate clear understanding of spatial design and its role in healthcare environments.

Candidates must have completed, or be about to complete a PhD in Architecture, Design Computing, Spatial Cognition, Healthcare Design, HCI or a related discipline, and have a track record of peer-reviewed publications or equivalent research outputs.

Experience in working in a multidisciplinary and cross-institutional teams will be essential as this exciting role offers the opportunity to engage with academic and applied audiences in both the UK and Switzerland.

In order for your application to be considered, please upload the following:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Cover Letter
• Names and contact details of two referees who are familiar with your work.

If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to the Principal Investigator, Dr Michal Gath-Morad on mg2068@cam.ac.uk.

Enquiries about the application process may be made to the School of Arts and Humanities HR team on sahhr@admin.cam.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is midnight (BST) on Sunday 17 August 2025. Interviews are expected to take place in September 2025, subject to change.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above. 

Please quote reference GC46556 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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.

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