Research Fellow in the Regulation of Engineering Biology

Fixed Term Contract for 12 months 

Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £37,897 to £38,887 per annum

We welcome applications for a stimulating opportunity to shape the socially responsible use of novel biologies.

About the Role

The primary purpose of this role is to deliver a project entitled ‘Navigating regulatory approval pathways for Engineering Biology applications in the Environment sector’. This innovative collaborative project provides a unique opportunity to work closely with leading-edge scientists and regulators, to better understand the regulatory approval challenges facing Engineering Biology solutions for the Environment sector.

The successful candidate will work with pre-commercial solution providers and regulators to deliver regulatory approval dry runs, focusing on the evidence base required to demonstrate effective biocontainment. They will also undertake a regulatory pathway mapping activity, from early-stage discovery to market authorisation. Sector-facing outputs include guidance on regulatory approval pathways and recommendations on modifications to regulatory processes. 

This role provides an opportunity to generate new insight into the relationship between regulation and innovation, both with particular respect to biosafety, but also with implications for other frontier technologies considered to pose heightened societal risks. The project will illustrate what a credible regulatory approval submission comprises of, and clarify forms, levels and quality of risk management evidence, thereby lowering the costs of regulatory approval and market access for novel engineering biology solutions. 

About You

The ideal candidate will be comfortable with the technical aspects of engineering biology, as well as having deep experience of regulatory processes. They will have experience of, and enthusiasm for, interdisciplinary work at the interface between natural science, engineering and governance. 

You will have, or be close to completion of, a PhD in a subject of relevance to the regulation of innovative technologies or processes and have experience of undertaking primary research into governance or regulatory issues.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here. 

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply                                     

For an informal discussion, please contact Paul Jeffrey, on (E): p.j.jeffrey@cranfield.ac.uk

Apply online via the above 'Apply' button. For further details please contact (E): peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. Please quote reference number 5231.

Closing date: 8 March 2026

www.cranfield.ac.uk

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