PhD Studentship (Fixed Term) - Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin Programme

About the role

The Kavli Newnham Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin Postgraduate Studentship Programme recruits one outstanding international woman in STEM each year to pursue a PhD at the Kavli Institute for Cosmology Cambridge (KICC) and Newnham College. It offers a cross-disciplinary research environment at the intersection of the Institute of Astronomy, the Cavendish Laboratory (Department of Physics) and DAMTP, with access to the wider PhD cohorts of the three departments.

What we offer

• A fully funded four-year international studentship, covering the University Composition Fee and a maintenance allowance of £21,805 in 2026-27.
• A personal research allowance of £6,000 for conferences, books, equipment and training.
• Expected availability of Newnham College accommodation for the first two years.
• Support for a student visa and the Immigration Health Surcharge, and support for one economy-class journey to Cambridge.
• A possible child dependent allowance for student parents.
• Student development training in communication, organisation, leadership, presenting and applying for postdoctoral positions.

Applications are made through the University's central Postgraduate Admissions Office portal, quoting reference KA51596, and are considered by whichever of the three departments best matches the proposed project. The deadline is 8 December 2026 for a programme starting in October 2027; shortlisted candidates are notified by the end of January 2027.