Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Location: Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU

Contract & job type: Fixed-term for 18 months 

Overview of the role:

We are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join Professor Dame Molly Stevens’s laboratory at the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery. The Stevens Group is based within the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics and is also affiliated with the Institute of Biomedical Engineering. The successful candidate will be a highly skilled protein biochemist with broad expertise in the design, production, and validation of biorecognition elements for protein and small-molecule sensing applications. The post holder will generate libraries of biorecognition elements (i.e., proteins, aptamers) for use in single-molecule sensing applications. 

This post is available from December 2025 for a fixed-term of 18 months, with the possibility of part-time appointments being considered. 

Key responsibilities:

• Develop biorecognition elements towards protein and small molecule targets
• Validation of generated biorecognition elements using start-of-the-art characterisation methods, including CD, SPR, BLI, DLS, ITC, and in functional assays.
• Establish cross-disciplinary protocols to incorporate the biorecognition elements into single-molecule sensing applications with other members of the research team.
• Manage your own research activities, including administrative tasks associated with the project.

Selection criteria:

• Hold, or be near to completion of, a PhD/DPhil in biochemistry, chemistry, nanotechnology, or related field. 
• Experience in biorecognition element design, production, selection, and purification (for protein or nucleic acid-based binders).
• Experience in characterisation of proteins and protein-biorecognition element interactions
• Previous experience of contributing to publications/presentations

Refer to the job description for a full list of responsibilities and selection criteria.

What we offer:

Your wellbeing at work matters, so we offer a range of family friendly and financial benefits including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle and electric car loan schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

While this is a full-time role, we welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

How to apply:

Please provide a supporting statement outlining how you meet the selection criteria along with your CV, and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 17/11/2025.

Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 01/12/2025 and will be held on Microsoft Teams.

Applications are particularly welcome from women, black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford.

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Stay connected with us on  LinkedIn,  X and  Instagram to learn more about our work and culture. Informal enquiries about the role may be directed to the DPAG HR Team: hr@dpag.ox.ac.uk 

DPAG’s Statement of Inclusion:

We, as a Department and Community, will be considerate and welcoming of all people, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socio-economic background. We acknowledge societal inequalities and how these impact us, and those around us, personally and professionally. Our policies, practices and  Respectful Behaviours Framework underpin this commitment.  

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