Senior Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Microbiology

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity or a highly motivated Senior Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Microbiology to join the Oxford Vaccine Group (OVG) as part of the Correlates of Immunity – Artificial Intelligence (CoI-AI) Programme, a pioneering initiative that integrates human challenge models, advanced microbiology, and artificial intelligence to accelerate vaccine discovery.

The postholder will lead laboratory-based microbiological investigations within the programme, with responsibility for independently designing, executing, and interpreting studies across clinically relevant bacterial pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Group A Streptococcus and E. coli. You will drive pathogen characterisation, microbiological readouts from controlled human infection and clinical research studies, and the development of analytical assays, including those supporting bacterial antigen identification for vaccine development.

Working closely with immunologists, bioinformaticians, and computational scientists, you will play a key role in integrating microbiological, clinical, and immunological datasets for downstream AI-based analyses. The role offers substantial scope for independence and scientific leadership, including supervision and mentoring of junior researchers, leadership in manuscript preparation and dissemination of findings through high-impact publications and presentations.

You will be working in a growing department within the Medical Sciences Division. The Department of Paediatrics is a world leader in child health research and hosts internationally renowned research programmes in drug development, gastroenterology, haematology, HIV, immunology, neuroimaging, neuromuscular diseases and vaccinology. The Oxford Vaccine Group is a world-leading academic research group conducting clinical and translational studies to advance vaccine development working with a diverse portfolio funded by industry, government and charitable organisations.

This position is offered full-time on a fixed-term contract initially for 2 years with the possibility to extend provided further external funding is available.

About you 

You will hold a PhD/DPhil in Microbiology or a closely related discipline, with substantial post-qualification research experience. You will have the expertise to independently design, deliver and analyse microbiological research involving clinically relevant bacterial pathogens, using classical and/or molecular techniques. You will have a strong publication record, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage your own research activities while providing technical and intellectual guidance to junior colleagues. Experience in translational or clinically aligned research, including work with human samples and regulated laboratory environments, is highly desirable.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a CV and Supporting Statement as part of your online application. The Supporting Statement should include a cover letter and should also clearly describe how you meet each of the selection criteria listed in the job description.

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