Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Translational Therapeutics

Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU

About us:

The  Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery (Kavli INsD), established in March 2021, brings together over 30 faculty and 450 researchers across disciplines to tackle global health challenges. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and providing cutting-edge facilities, it encourages innovation and shared discovery, and benefits from the close proximity of the scientific departments as well as advanced imaging and characterisation facilities and state-of-the-art-instrumentation.

At the  Department of Physiology Anatomy & Genetics (DPAG) we undertake discovery science where we reassemble physiological processes at the molecular, cellular, tissue and systems level of organisation. In so doing we provide a bridge to translational medicine, and interface between physical and life sciences. We are committed not only to innovative research and the highest standard of teaching, but also to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment.

Overview of the role:

We are seeking to appoint two Postdoctoral Research Assistants to join Professor Dame Molly Stevens’s lab. The Stevens Group operates at the intersection of multiple disciplines, enabling highly collaborative and cross-field research. The lab is based at the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Discovery and is strategically affiliated with the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, as well as the Institute of Biomedical Engineering within the Department of Engineering Science.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop research questions/conduct research in the design and synthesis of innovative polymer-based and nanoscale soft biomaterials for advanced therapeutic and drug delivery applications, including the analysis of detailed/complex qualitative and/or quantitative data.
• Characterise materials and evaluate their structure–property relationships using appropriate analytical and physicochemical techniques to optimise material performance.
• Contribute to translation-focused optimisation, including in vitro evaluation, bio- and immunocompatibility, and scalability.

Selection criteria:

• Hold, or be near to completion of, a PhD/DPhil in organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or related field.
• Experience in one of the following areas: Polymer chemistry - design and synthesis of polymers using living /controlled polymerisation methods, and/or synthesis of small molecules required for polymer synthesis such as monomers, initiators, chain-transfer agents, cross-linkers or other functional polymerisation reagents; OR Small-molecule synthesis - synthesis of biologically active small molecules, therapeutically relevant molecules, stimuli-responsive systems, bioorganic compounds and/or biomolecules such as peptides, amino acids, and carbohydrates.
• Experience in chemical characterisation techniques, for example gel permeation chromatography / size exclusion chromatography (GPC/SEC), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), optical spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, circular dichroism, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, chromatography, thermal analysis and/or microscopy.
• Previous experience of contributing to publications/presentations, with a proven track record of first author publications in peer reviewed journals.

See Job Description for full list of criteria, click the 'Apply' button above. 

What we offer:

We provide a supportive working environment and comprehensive benefits:

• Contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• Childcare support & family leave
• Cycle & electric car schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Social & sports club membership
• Discounted travel schemes

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working/other flexible arrangements. 

How to apply:

Please submit a CV, supporting statement addressing the selection criteria.

Closing date: 12 noon, 10 August 2026

Interviews: Week commencing 31 August 2026 (via Microsoft Teams)

Applications are particularly welcome from women, black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford. 

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