Postdoctoral Research Scientist - Microgels for Therapeutic Delivery and Regenerative Medicine

Contract & job type: Full-time, Fixed-term for 18 months

About us:

The Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery (Kavli INsD), brings together over 30 faculty members and around 450 researchers to address major global health challenges. The Institute promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and provides access to advanced imaging, characterisation facilities and state of the art instrumentation, benefiting from its close proximity to multiple scientific departments. 

The Department of Physiology Anatomy & Genetics (DPAG) conducts discovery science across molecular, cellular, tissue and systems levels, bridging fundamental biology with translational medicine and connecting physical and life sciences.

Overview of the role:

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join Professor Dame Molly Stevens’s group. The successful candidate will have expertise in hydrogel chemistry, microfluidics, bioprinting and a strong understanding of cell–biomaterial interactions. You will design, fabricate and biologically evaluate microgel based encapsulation and therapeutic delivery systems. The post is available immediately for 18 months. 

Key responsibilities:

• Design and optimise hydrogel systems for cell encapsulation, delivery, 3D culture and biofabrication.
• Develop droplet microfluidic workflows for reproducible production of hydrogel microparticles and cell laden microgels
• Characterise hydrogels using rheology, microscopy and related physicochemical methods, translating findings into design rules.
• Plan and conduct cell culture and encapsulation experiments, including viability, proliferation, imaging and functional assays. 

Selection criteria:

• Hold, or be close to completing, a PhD/DPhil in biomaterials, bioengineering, biomedical sciences, chemistry or a related field.
• Experience designing or fabricating hydrogel microparticles, microgels or similar biomaterials for encapsulation, delivery or 3D culture.
• Experience in droplet microfluidics or related microscale fabrication techniques.
• Understanding of cell culture and in vitro biomaterial–cell interaction studies.
• Experience with soft material characterisation techniques such as rheology, microscopy and mechanical testing.
• Evidence of contributing to publications/presentations, including first author papers in peer reviewed journals.

Full criteria and duties are listed in the Job Description.

What we offer:

• A contributory pension scheme
• 38 days’ annual leave
• Childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle and electric car loan schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to social and sports clubs
• Discounted bus travel and season ticket loans

Applications for part time or flexible working are welcome.

How to apply:

Submit a supporting statement addressing the selection criteria, your CV and contact details for two referees via the online application system.

Closing date: 12 noon, Wednesday 06 May 2026

Interviews: Week of 11 May 2026, via Microsoft Teams

We particularly welcome applications from women and candidates from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds, who are under represented in academic posts at Oxford.

Follow us:

Connect with us on LinkedIn, Bluesky and Instagram to learn more about our work and culture. Informal enquiries may be directed to the DPAG HR Team at 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.

DPAG and Sustainability:

We participate in LEAF and Green Impact, promoting eco‑friendly practices that reduce waste, improve energy efficiency and support biodiversity. Further details are in the Job Description. 

Job Description

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