[Closes 28th April 2019] Biomaker Challenge Africa Coordinator (Fixed Term), Department of Plant Science, University of Cambridge.

 The Global Challenges Research Fund is supporting a pump-priming programme to take the Biomaker Challenge to centres in Africa. Biomaker is an interdisciplinary programme that brings together multiple teams to build low-cost sensor devices and instruments for biology (https://www.biomaker.org). The Biomaker Africa programme is co-organised by the Synthetic Biology Strategic Research Initiative, the BBSRC-EPSRC OpenPlant, Centre for Global Equality, and OpenBioeconomy Lab in Cambridge. We are looking for a Challenge Coordinator for 12 weeks during May-Jul 2019 to take responsibility for coordinating participating teams and managing online communications and social media. This includes organising and publicising events and highlighting interesting projects online through writing and multimedia presentations, coordinating training and connecting teams who might be able to share knowledge and skills.


The appointee will form part of a team to deliver:

  • A set of informational and training materials for biologists, engineers and interested public (e.g. the Maker community)

  • Blog posts, photos, videos and social media content about Biomaker Africa

The position will provide an opportunity to travel to sites in Africa to help organise starter and training events, and to build a wide range of contacts in this area.


Skills gained include:

  • Coordination, planning and organisation

  • Networking skills between academia and industry, including sponsor liaison

  • Communications including writing, photography, video production and social media

  • Public speaking and presentations

  • Introduction to technologies such as 3D-printing, electronics and DIY approaches to scientific instrumentation

The placement would suit someone with an interest in electronics, biology, and maker technologies e.g. 3D printing. Experience in other coordination and communication roles (paid or voluntary) is desirable. 

For full job description.

To apply, send a covering letter explaining your interests and suitability for the role and a CV to coordinator@synbio.cam.ac.uk