Eagle-eyed Telegraph associate editor Simon Heffer is to take a one-year sabbatical from the paper for post-doctoral work in Cambridge.

Heffer, who is known for his sharp internal missives criticising staff for slipping standards, will continue to contribute three weekly columns (for The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and Telegraph.co.uk), whilst working on other projects.

He will return in an ‘enhanced role’ in January 2011, a release from TMG said.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity, following the recent award by Cambridge University of a PhD, to go back to my college [Corpus Christi] and involve myself in its life for a year,” said Heffer.

It was a ‘great honour’ for Heffer, said Tony Gallagher, the new editor of The Daily Telegraph. “I know that he will thrive in the academic world. I wish him every success in this new challenge. I am delighted that he will still contribute to our Comment pages in his regular columns.”