Postdoctoral Research Associate

Location: Life and Mind Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3EL

The Department of Biology is seeking to recruit a Research Associate. This post is financially supported by funds from the BBSRC grant ‘Water depth sensing in submerged plants’ awarded to Prof Francesco Licausi and Dr. Vinay Shukla. The work is to be conducted in the Synoxys lab in the Department of Biology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3EL. The postholder will study signalling pathways that lead to organ elongation in A. thaliana. We plan to investigate this in conditions of sufficient oxygenation and in case of plant submergence or soil waterlogging.

The role of the individual will be as follows: (i) analyse gene and protein expression; (ii) compare amino acid and nucleotide sequence to infer phylogenetic relationships (iii) generate transgenic plants.

The successful candidate will be educated to PhD/DPhil level with relevant experience in molecular plant biology and will work closely with other group members to assist them with gene functional characterisation. They must work as part of a team, be willing to learn new methods and skills and persevere in case of discouraging results. The role will also include protocol development. The postholder is expected to be organised, with excellent record keeping and have the ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks, including training junior members in the group. Desirable experience includes previous experience with growing plants, although training will be provided. See the job description for the full list of selection criteria.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Prof Francesco Licausi (francesco.licausi@biology.ox.ac.uk).

How to apply

The University of Oxford is committed to equal opportunity, and to being a place where everyone belongs and is supported to succeed. We recognise how the diversity of our community enriches our ability to deliver on our academic mission.

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented within higher education. No applicant or members of staff shall be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

This is a fixed term post available till 31st November 2027 and is available from 1st April 2026.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on 16th February 2026, interviews are likely to be scheduled to take place by the end of February. Applications for this vacancy are to be made online, and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience.

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