Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Chemical Biology

Location : Department of Pharmacology, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT

We are seeking a new Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Chemical Biology to work in the group of Professor Ben Davis in the Department of Pharmacology. This post, funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), is fixed-term until 31 March 2027 and is available immediately.

The group’s research focuses on research into oligosaccharides (carbohydrates in small clusters) and alterations in proteins (modifications), examples of chemically complex biological markers that act critically in important extracellular and organismal processes such as immune response, microbial infection, cancer metastasis and cellular adhesion, inflammation, in addition to vital intracellular communication events such as epigenetics and signalling cascades. You must have (or be close to completion) a relevant PhD/DPhil in Chemistry, Chemical Biology or Biochemistry, together with relevant experience. You should be able to demonstrate sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to work within established research programmes, a proven ability to manage your own academic research and associated activities, experience of contributing to publications and presentations, and excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings. Specialist knowledge in protein and nucleic acid biomolecule methods and biocatalytic methods would be an advantage.

If successful, you will: manage academic research and administrative activities, including project management; adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols; test hypotheses and analyse scientific data from a variety of sources; contribute ideas for new research projects; develop ideas for generating research income, and present detailed research proposals to senior researchers; collaborate in the preparation of scientific reports and journal articles and occasionally present papers, lectures and posters; and act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group on scientific protocols and experimental techniques.

The post is fixed term until 31 March 2027, funded by the MRC.

The closing date for applications is 12noon on Monday 30 March 2026.

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