Job Vacancies

College Porter

Annual salary: £13,521.11,
18 hours per week (2 x 9-hour shifts per week)

Darwin is a welcoming community of postgraduate students and academics. Our beautiful riverside location provides a home in central Cambridge for students from over 80 different countries, studying for the full range of postgraduate degrees.

Founded in 1964, we were the first exclusively postgraduate College in Cambridge, and the first to admit both women and men. For over 60 years Darwin has offered an egalitarian, inclusive space within which research can flourish. Our members and alumni are at the forefront of innovative responses to global challenges, from the climate crisis to emerging viruses.

We are looking to recruit two Porters, working opposite shift patterns.  You will be required to represent the College by providing reception, switchboard and general front of house services to College members, visitors, and guests with a high standard of professionalism and courtesy.

You will need to ensure the welfare of the College members and help ensure that College rules are adhered to.  The role requires you to be able to effectively communicate in English in order to provide a high level of service to callers (in person, on phone and by email) to the Porters’ Lodge.

You must have experience of working in an environment where customer care is important.  Experience of working in a role with responsibility for security and/or safety is desirable.  A good level of fitness is required to be able to respond quickly to situations that may arise on the main site and other College locations.

The role requires you to work at the Darwin College site in the centre of Cambridge.  The full job description outlines the requirements of the post.

Porter shift pattern:

Week 1 & 2
Monday: 11.30am-8.30pm
Tuesday: 11.30pm-8.30pm

Week 3
Thursday: 11.30am-8:30pm
Friday: 11:30am – 20:30pm

Week 4
Friday: 11.30am-8.30pm
Saturday: 11.30am-8.30pm

You will be required to work five extra shifts per year to support the Lodge, with prior notice given.

You will be required to work over the Christmas and Easter holidays.

Benefits

• Free meals during working hours and College kitchen opening hours.
• 33 days’ annual leave a year, inclusive of bank holidays (pro rata for part time workers). After 5 years’ service your annual holiday entitlement will be increased by one day.
• Non-contractual annual bonus.
• Uniform is provided.
• Defined contribution Pension scheme.
• Free access to the College gym.
• Free on-site parking on a first come first served basis.
• Training and Professional Development.
• Access to the Cambridge University Library.

To apply, please submit a CV and a covering letter to recruitment@darwin.cam.ac.uk

Closing Date: Friday 20 November 2026.

• Job description

Assistant Archivist

Full-Time 35 hours per week 
Salary £30,408 (DC28 on the pay spine)

Darwin is a welcoming community of postgraduate students and academics. Our beautiful riverside location provides a home in central Cambridge for students from over 80 different countries, studying for the full range of postgraduate degrees.

Founded in 1964, we were the first exclusively postgraduate College in Cambridge, and the first to admit both women and men. For over 60 years Darwin has offered an egalitarian, inclusive space within which research can flourish. Our members and alumni are at the forefront of innovative responses to global challenges, from the climate crisis to emerging viruses.

We are looking for an Assistant Archivist to assist the College Archivist. The main purpose of the role is to grow, catalogue and promote the archive, and to prepare and oversee its move to a new location in College.

Our College Archivist is also employed full time as Keeper of the University Archives and available for guidance intermittently. The role therefore requires previous experience of work with archives management systems, previous experience in a similar role and also someone who is comfortable working with minimal supervision.

Benefits

• Free meals during working hours and College kitchen opening hours.
• 33 days’ annual leave a year, inclusive of bank holidays (pro rata for part-time workers). After 5 years’ service your annual holiday entitlement will be increased by one day.
• Non-contractual annual bonus.
• Defined contribution Pension scheme.
• Free access to the College gym.
• Training and Professional Development.
• Access to the Cambridge University Library.

The job description and further information on the full range of benefits offered to our employees can be found at https://www.darwin.cam.ac.uk/vacancies

To apply please submit a CV and a covering letter outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the requirements. Please email all applications to recruitment@darwin.cam.ac.uk.

Closing Date: Monday 9^th November 2026

• Job Description

Housekeeping Assistant
£13.30 per hour, working 32.5 hours per week.

The position is Monday to Friday, from 6am to 1pm (6.5hours per day, plus 30 minutes unpaid break).

The housekeeping assistant is responsible for keeping the College buildings and student residences cleaned to the highest standard in a safe organised environment. You will also be responsible for designated areas, such as student rooms, guest rooms and communal areas.

You will need to have previous cleaning experience, and demonstrate the ability to follow instructions and work safely.

You will need to be able to lift and fully utilise cleaning equipment, as well as to use computers to a basic level.

You will need to able to communicate via email and WhatsApp in written English and have a level of English that ensures you fully understand manuals, instructions and cleaning product safety information.

The role requires you to work at the Darwin College site in the centre of Cambridge. You will also be required to work one weekend per month.

The full job description outlines the requirements of the post.

Benefits

• Free meals during working hours and College kitchen opening hours.
• 33 days’ annual leave a year, inclusive of bank holidays (pro rata for part time workers). After 5 years’ service your annual holiday entitlement will be increased by one day.
• Non-contractual annual bonus.
• Uniform is provided.
• Defined contribution Pension scheme.
• Free access to the College gym.
• Training and Professional Development.
• Access to the Cambridge University Library.

To apply, please submit a CV and a covering letter to recruitment@darwin.cam.ac.uk

Closing Date: Friday 6th November 2026

• Job description

Non-stipendiary Research Fellowships

Darwin College invites applications for election to several non-stipendiary Research Fellowships starting from 1 October 2027.

The candidate who heads the list will be designated the Charles and Katharine Darwin Research Fellow.

Eligibility

The Fellowships are open to candidates from any university. The Fellowships are intended for outstanding researchers of any age who are close to completing, or who have recently completed, their PhD degree, or an equivalently recognised qualification. No more than three years of research should have been undertaken since the candidate’s PhD was conferred by 1 October 2027. Any career breaks or part-time working will be taken into account.

• Further details