Postdoctoral Researcher — Continuous Evolution in Genomics

Ellison Institute of Technology; Oxford; On-site; CAD 92,353 - 129,294; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Enhanced holiday pay

Pension

Private Medical Insurance

Job summary

A leading scientific research organization in Oxford is seeking ambitious Postdoctoral Researchers for the Generative Biology Institute. Candidates with a PhD in synthetic biology or related fields will lead innovative research projects, design experiments, and analyze complex data sets. Successful applicants will have a strong publication record and the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. This role offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and support for professional development, all within a dynamic research environment.

Qualifications

• Completed a PhD in a relevant field, preferably in synthetic biology or related areas.
• Strong track record in managing complex research projects and delivering high-quality results.
• Skilled in using statistical tools for data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments, innovate methodologies for research.
• Analyze complex data sets, interpreting results towards broader research goals.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to advance research objectives.

Skills

Data analysis

Genomic analysis

Experimental problem-solving

Collaboration

Education

PhD in synthetic biology, biochemistry, or related fields

Tools

Computational tools

Job description

At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we’re on a mission to translate scientific discovery into real world impact. We bring together visionary scientists, technologists, engineers, researchers, educators and innovators to tackle humanity’s greatest challenges in four transformative areas:

• Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology
• Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture
• Climate Change & Managing CO₂
• Artificial Intelligence & Robotics

This is ambitious work - work that demands curiosity, courage, and a relentless drive to make a difference. At EIT, you’ll join a community built on excellence, innovation, tenacity, trust, and collaboration, where bold ideas become real-world breakthroughs. Together, we push boundaries, embrace complexity, and create solutions to scale ideas from lab to society.

Welcome to the Generative Biology Institute:

Led by Founding Director Jason Chin, the Generative Biology Institute (GBI) at the Ellison Institute of Technology is tackling the key challenges in making biology engineerable, and thereby unlocking the unrivalled power of biology for the benefit of humanity.

The vision of the GBI is to lay the foundations for engineering biology, and unlock its potential for good. To achieve this, we must overcome two key challenges. First, we need the ability to write in the natural language of biology, enabling the rapid and scalable synthesis of entire genomes with precision. Second, we must understand what to write - determining which DNA sequences will generate biological systems that perform the desired functions. Addressing these challenges will allow us to harness the full power of biology to create transformative solutions across health, agriculture, clean energy and more.

The Generative Biology Institute commenced operations in 2025, occupying newly renovated bespoke space in the Oxford Science Park. The team will later move to a purpose-made facility in the Oxford Science Park, currently under construction. Once complete, this state-of-the-art facility will include more than 40,000 m² of research laboratory and office space. It will house over 30 groups and up to 600 employees at scale, focused on solving the two critical challenges in making biology engineerable and applying the solutions to addressing the global challenges encapsulated in EIT’s Humane Endeavours.

The Rehm Lab

We are seeking ambitious, creative, and highly skilled Postdoctoral Researchers to join the Rehm Lab at GBI. The Rehm Lab, led by Principal Investigator Fabian Rehm, is building next-generation platforms for continuous evolution. We engineer orthogonal replication systems that drive rapid, targeted gene evolution while preserving host viability, enabling us to study fundamental evolutionary processes and develop new molecular solutions for problems in the areas of health and sustainability. We are growing a diverse, ambitious team excited by the idea of harnessing evolution as an engine for discovery and innovation.

Key projects include:

• Engineering dynamic, autonomous evolution systems to rapidly traverse evolutionary landscapes
• Evolution of complex, multi-gene phenotypes
• Engineering plug-and-play selection systems for continuous evolution of diverse phenotypes

Learn more at https://rehm.bio/

How to apply

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. In your cover letter, please clearly explain your fit, interest, and relevant experience for joining the group.

All applications must be submitted exclusively though the EIT job portal. If you would like to discuss this role in more detail, prior to submitting an application, please contact Fabian Rehm at [e-mail]. Due to the volume of applications, the review and decision process may take 3–6 months.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments, including the development of novel methodologies and adaptation of existing techniques to new applications.
• Analyse complex datasets using computational and statistical tools, interpreting results in the context of broader research goals.
• Contribute intellectually to the research direction by identifying opportunities for innovation and refining research questions.
• Prepare and publish high-quality scientific papers, reports, presentations, and protocols.
• Present research at national and international conferences, seminars, and internal meetings.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams within GBI, EIT, and external partners to advance complementary workstreams.
• Build and maintain research infrastructure, laboratory capabilities, and cutting-edge technologies.
• Mentor and support junior researchers, including PhD students and research assistants.
• Translate research findings into commercial or translational opportunities in alignment with EIT’s mission.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for intellectual property generation and protection.
• Ensure research activities comply with EIT’s policies, legal requirements, and best scientific practice.

This list is not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to undertake additional tasks and duties commensurate with the role.

Essential and Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Completed a PhD in a relevant field (e.g. synthetic biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, and nucleic acids chemistry).
• Track record of delivering ambitious research projects to a high standard.
• Strong track record in research, ideally in molecular biology, synthetic biology, or related fields.
• Skilled in data analysis and interpretation; experience with genomic analysis, automation, or computational tools desirable.
• Proven ability to work independently, think creatively, and solve complex experimental problems.
• Experience publishing in high-impact journals and presenting at international conferences.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience collaborating in multidisciplinary teams.
• Capacity to build and sustain productive collaborations internally and externally.
• Resilience, adaptability, and enthusiasm for working in a fast-paced, high-growth research environment.

Our Benefits:

• Salary: Competitive + travel allowance + bonus
• Enhanced holiday pay
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Hospital Cash Plan
• Therapy Services
• Perk Box
• Electric Car Scheme

Working Together – What It Involves:

• You must be eligible to work in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary. We are open to sponsoring employment visas for this role; however sponsorship is not available for all visa types or in all circumstances. Eligibility will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• You must be based in, or within easy commuting distance of Oxford (or be willing to relocate).
• During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme.
• This is a fixed term contract role