Senior Postdoctoral Researcher - Computational Biology

John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford

About the role 

We are seeking a highly motivated senior postdoctoral researcher in computational biology to join our research group. Our laboratory investigates how T cells interact with their target antigens and become activated in serious human diseases, including autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and cancers. We study how adaptive T cell immunity is developed and/or becomes impaired or exhausted under certain circumstances and explore how we can harness the power of antigen-specific T cell responses to treat various human diseases.

In this exciting project, we will investigate the self-antigen triggers of regulatory T cells in the context of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This position is part of a large multidisciplinary collaboration between the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and University of Bristol. While the successful candidate will be primarily based at the University of Oxford, they will have opportunities to visit and collaborate with the other participating institutions.

You will lead the computational aspects of this exciting project by leveraging AI tools such as AlphaFold and developing novel deep generative models and/or large language models. The aim is to decode the underlying mechanisms of T cell activation and reconstruct a comprehensive map between regulatory T cells and target antigens in MS. You will explore cellular interactions in tissue, model the mechanisms driving autoimmunity and autoinflammation, and capture cross-tissue and cross-disease dynamics of T cell immunity. 

You will join a computational biology team that collaborates closely with clinicians, molecular biologists, and other experts to generate and interpret data from real patient cohorts, ensuring your work can translate into tangible impacts on patient care.

https://www.rdm.ox.ac.uk/research/antanaviciute-group-computational-biology-and-tissue-immunology

The ideal candidate will have postdoctoral research experience in computational biology or a related field. However, an alternative appointment with reduced responsibilities could be considered for less experienced but highly motivated applicants who demonstrate exceptional potential.

Candidates who do not fully meet the requirements for a Grade 8 post may be appointed at Grade 7: £39,424 - £47,779 per annum with adjusted responsibilities.

This post is fixed term for 3 years. 

About you

You should have: 

• Ph.D./D.Phil. (or close to completion) in Computer Science), Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or a related discipline
• Postdoctoral research experience is highly desirable; however, an alternative appointment with reduced responsibilities may be considered for exceptional candidates with strong potential
• Proficiency in Python and/or R programming languages
• Experience working in high-performance computing (HPC) environments
• Command line proficiency and BASH scripting capabilities
• Demonstrated experience with machine learning and/or statistical modeling
• Expertise in handling large-scale, complex datasets with strong data wrangling skills
• Strong publication record and comprehensive knowledge of current literature in the field

Benefits of working

University employees enjoy 38 days’ paid holiday, generous pension schemes, travel discounts, and a variety of professional development opportunities. Our range of other employee benefits and discounts also includes free entry to the Botanic Gardens and University colleges, and discounts at University museums. See https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits

Application Process

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via the above ‘Apply’ button. You will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application.

Only applications received by 12:00pm on Wednesday 29/10/2025 will be considered.

Contact Person: HR Team

Pay Scale: RESEARCH GRADE 8

Contact Email: hr@rdm.ox.ac.uk

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