Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Single-Molecule Biophysics of DNA Replication

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in single-molecule biophysics of DNA replication.

We are looking to hire an outstanding experimentalist for an exciting project at the interface of biophysics and biochemistry that has as its goals to understand the dynamics of eukaryotic DNA replication.

This post is fixed term for 3 years.

What are you going to do?

In this fully-funded project, you will:

• develop and employ novel advanced biophysical instrumentation based on optical trapping or fluorescence  microscopy to study DNA replication;
• develop and employ simulations and data analysis routines to analyze your data;
• develop an interdisciplinary skillset by acquiring a practical knowledge of protein purification, ensemble biochemistry, and sample preparation to support your biophysical studies;
• come up with suggestions to expand the interdisciplinary skillset as necessary for the benefit of the project;
• help to establish a scientifically outstanding and warmly communicative interdisciplinary team at the University of Oxford;
• publish your results together with other biophysicists and biochemists on the team;
• have the opportunity to obtain teaching experience and improve your leadership skills while guiding undergraduate and graduate students; 

About the project

During our lifetimes, we copy approximately a lightyear’s worth of DNA, and how the different components of the molecular machinery (the replisome) work together to achieve this successfully is an area of highly active research.  Here, you will take on the exciting challenge of understanding the dynamics of DNA replication by studying the activity of eukaryotic replisome at the single-molecule level. You will examine replisome composition, replisome motion dynamics, and the interplay between these two quantities; and examine how these change in the context of chromatin or obstacles on the DNA. To do so, you will design and employ novel biophysical instrumentation (e.g. optical tweezers, single-molecule fluorescence, microfluidics, cryo-electron microscopy) and analyze the resulting datasets using biophysical modelling. A willingness to learn and employ biochemical approaches and interact with external collaborators in molecular biology and biochemistry at the University of Oxford and elsewhere in the United Kingdom is essential. In doing so, you will publish high-quality scientific papers to advance this exciting field.

Requirements For this innovative, interdisciplinary project, we are looking a biophysicist, with:

• a successfully completed Ph.D. degree (or close to obtaining) in biophysics or microscopy;
• practical experience and scientific maturity in the above areas;
• strong skills and interest in building instrumentation to address biological questions;
• strong quantitative skills in data analysis and programming;
• professional experience with force spectroscopy methods (e.g. optical tweezers, magnetic tweezers, or atomic force microscopy) is a plus;
• interesting in developing a biochemistry skillset to enable interdisciplinary research;
• an independent, well-organized, and reliable work style together with an ability and interest in working in a small team;
• good interpersonal communication skills and a strong interest in the broader field of biophysics, thereby contributing to our interactive lab culture;

We look for friendly and driven colleagues to enrich our team. We would like to welcome our new colleague in the fall of 2025.

Information and application

For more information about these positions please contact Prof. Nynke Dekker, e-mail:  nynke.dekker@physics.ox.ac.uk

Only applications received before midday 16 June 2025 can be considered. You will be required to upload a brief statement of research interests, CV and details of three referees as part of your online application.

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