Postdoctoral Researcher

Department of Oncology, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ, Headington, Oxford

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity to join Dr Monica Olcina’s research team as a short-term postdoctoral researcher. Dr Olcina’s is interested in understanding how tumours thrive in immunosuppressive microenvironments and exploit innate immune pathways for their survival advantage, with the aim of identifying tumour-specific vulnerabilities to improve treatment-induced toxicity.

The available position is to support on-going projects focused on understanding the role of the complement system in driving treatment resistance in tumours with immunosuppressive microenvironments, such as paediatric high-grade gliomas. The successful candidate will manage their own research and administrative activities, adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols, test hypostheses and analyse scientific data, and contribute ideas for new research projects. The role also involves collaboration with colleagues across partner institutions and research groups.

This post is based at the Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ, and is offered on a full-time fixed term basis for nine months.

About you

You will hold a relevant PhD/DPhil (or be close to completion), together with relevant experience and have a first-author publication related to cancer biology, or clear evidence that this will be achieved.

You will possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to work within established research programmes. For example, knowledge of macrophage responses, complement-mediated biology and the tumour micro-environment. Experience of human and murine primary cell culture, western blotting, qRT-PCR, IHC/immunofluorescence, FACS, bulk and sc-RNA-sequencing analysis is essential.

You will have excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings. You will be able to manage your own academic research and associated activities, contribute ideas for new research projects, and support research income generation. Knowledge of and previous experience of working in brain tumour research would be advantageous.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays (pro rata for part time)
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

Application Process

If you would like to discuss this role please contact Monica Olcina Del Molino at  monica.olcina@oncology.ox.ac.uk .

You will be required to upload a supporting statement (setting out how you meet the selection criteria), a curriculum vitae and the names and contact details of two referees as part of your online application.

Only applications received before 12:00PM on Monday, 27th July 2026 can be considered.

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.

Committed to equality and valuing diversity

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