Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Membrane Protein Structural Biology and GPCR Signalling

Location: The Division of Structural Biology, Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN

Salary: Research Grade 7: £38,674 - £41,997 p.a. This is inclusive of a pensionable Oxford University Weighting of £1,500 per year.

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join Professor Christian Siebold’s lab at the University of Oxford. This appointment supports our contribution to an Imperial‑led Wellcome Trust Discovery Grant titled “Allosteric modulation of class B1 GPCRs via cholesterol binding sites”. This award brings together a multidisciplinary consortium—spanning structural biology, computational modelling, and in vivo physiology—to dissect cholesterol‑mediated modulation of key receptors like Glucagon receptor and GLP‑1R, with direct relevance to metabolic disease therapeutics.

The Siebold group focuses on the structural and mechanistic analysis of membrane protein complexes involved in cell-to-cell communication and signal transduction. Within this role, you will work at the interface of structural biology and cell biology, applying techniques such as mammalian protein expression, protein purification, and single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to investigate G protein coupled receptor complexes.

You will be expected to take an active role in experimental design, data interpretation, and dissemination of results through high-quality publications and presentations. You will also contribute to the preparation of research reports and funding proposals, and may assist in coordinating aspects of this complex, multi-institutional research programme.

With a current PhD/DPhil (or close to completion) in chemistry, biology, or a related field, you will have demonstrable research experience in structural biology of membrane proteins using single particle cryo-EM, in particular data collection, processing and structure solution. Similar research experience in mammalian cell culture expression and production of membrane proteins for structural studies is also desirable.

This post offers an exciting opportunity to work in a vibrant research environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities and strong national and international collaborations.

Why Siebold Lab & this project?

• Work within a leading structural biology team focusing on membrane protein complexes, signalling and receptor pharmacology.
• Benefit from access to top-tier cryo-EM facilities and vibrant collaborations across Oxford, the UK Diamond Light Source synchrotron, and Imperial College London.
• Target fundamental mechanisms with clear translational relevance to diabetes, obesity, and metabolic disorders.

Applications for this vacancy should be made online, and you will need to upload a supporting statement and CV. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. Please restrict your documentation to your CV and supporting statement only. Any other documents will be requested at a later date.

This position is offered full time on a fixed term contract for 3 years and is externally funded by the Wellcome.

Only applications received before 12 midday on 17 July 2025 will be considered. Please quote 179875 on all correspondence.

Advert information