Assistant Professor within the Department of Life Sciences

About the role:

Applications are invited from candidates with a strong background in ecology, evolution, or environmental sciences. We welcome applications from candidates with an interdisciplinary background who are motivated to tackle environmental challenges through innovative, cross cutting approaches. Applicants whose research integrates multiple domains or who develop new conceptual or technological frameworks are especially encouraged.

What you would be doing:

The Department of Life Sciences is seeking an Assistant Professor to join us during the 2026–27 academic year.

We are particularly interested in researchers addressing questions in ecology, evolution, or environmental science that interface with areas such as:

• Engineering, including sensing, automation, and robotics
• AI and computing
• Digital collections and biodiversity informatics 

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
• Grow in your career with tailored training programmes for academic staff including dedicated support with navigating your career and managing research as well as a transparent promotion process.
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources designed to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further Information

The Department embraces the full breadth of modern life science activity and comprises one of the largest life science groups in Europe. We have a vibrant and internationally leading research programme that spans levels of organisation from atoms to the biosphere, that strongly supports multidisciplinary collaborations and that actively fosters the development of new fields. The Department's research and teaching activities are funded by a wide variety of research councils, charities and industry bodies. The department teaches two major undergraduate degrees in Biochemistry and Biological Sciences and a wide range of Master’s-level courses aligned to the Department’s strengths. The Department is also a proud recipient of an Athena Swan Silver Award, reflecting our strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. The Head of the Department is Professor Daniel Davis, Professor in Immunology.

The department is based both in South Kensington in Central London (Sir Alexander Fleming, Sir Ernst Chain and Flowers buildings) and in Silwood Park, near Ascot in Berkshire.

The position would be based at the Silwood Park Campus, which is the focal point for ecological, evolutionary, and environmental sciences in the department. Academic activity at Silwood Park is led by Professor Tom Bell, Deputy Head of Life Sciences and Professor in Microbial Ecology.

This is a full time (35 hours per week) and open-ended role based at the Imperial College Silwood Park Campus.

Closing date: 14 September 2026 at 23:59 hours

Open Information session: 03 September 2026, 11:00am: 1-hour open meeting with candidates to answer any question they may have before the closing of applications. 

For further information about the role, please contact:

Professor Tom Bell (Deputy Head of Life Sciences): thomas.bell@imperial.ac.uk

Professor Cristina Banks-Leite (Chair of the Recruitment Committee): c.banks@imperial.ac.uk

As this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, at the appropriate level, will be required for the successful candidate.

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