Post Doctoral Researcher - Generative Biology institute

Ellison Institute of Technology; Oxford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institute in Oxford is seeking ambitious Postdoctoral Researchers to join the Generative Biology Institute. This role involves designing and executing experiments, contributing to high-impact publications, and mentoring junior researchers. Candidates must have a PhD in a relevant field, strong data analysis skills, and a proven track record in research. The position offers enhanced benefits and a collaborative work environment.

Benefits

Enhanced holiday pay

Private Medical Insurance

Pension

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Qualifications

• Completed a PhD within the last four years in a relevant field.
• Track record of delivering ambitious research projects.
• Experience publishing in high-impact journals.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments, adapting existing techniques.
• Analyse complex datasets using computational tools.
• Mentor and support junior researchers and PhD students.

Skills

Data analysis

Strong written and verbal communication

Experience in research with molecular biology

Collaboration in multidisciplinary teams

Problem-solving

Education

PhD in synthetic biology, computational biology, or related field

Tools

Computational tools

Genomic analysis tools

Job description

Led by a world‑class faculty of scientists, technologists, policy makers, economists and entrepreneurs, the Ellison Institute of Technology aims to develop and deploy commercially sustainable solutions to solve some of humanity’s most enduring challenges. Our work is guided by four Humane Endeavours: Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology, Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change & Managing Atmospheric CO2 and Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.

Set for completion in 2027, the EIT Campus in Littlemore will include more than 300,000 sq ft of research laboratories, educational and gathering spaces. Fuelled by growing ambition and the strength of Oxford’s science ecosystem, EIT is now expanding its footprint to a 2 million sq ft Campus across the western part of The Oxford Science Park. Designed by Foster + Partners led by Lord Norman Foster, this will become a transformative workplace for up to 7,000 people, with autonomous laboratories, purpose‑built laboratories including a plant sciences building and dynamic spaces to spark interdisciplinary collaboration.

The Generative Biology Institute (GBI) at the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) aims to overcome two major challenges in making biology engineerable: 1) the ability to precisely synthesize entire genomes, and 2) understanding which DNA sequences will create biological systems that perform desired functions. Solving these challenges will unlock the potential of biology for transformative solutions in health, sustainability, agriculture, and more. GBI will house 30 groups and over 300 researchers, supported by cutting‑edge facilities and sustained funding to address global challenges and advance biology engineering.

EIT fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and resilience, valuing diverse expertise to drive sustainable solutions to humanity’s enduring challenges.

We are seeking ambitious and innovative Postdoctoral Researchers to join the Generative Biology Institute (GBI). This is your opportunity to be part of cutting‑edge research within an institute dedicated to engineering biology at an unprecedented scale. In this role you will support an internationally competitive research programme, leveraging GBI’s exceptional facilities, sustained funding and collaborative environment. You will design and execute experiments, contribute to high‑impact publications, and play a key role in the training and mentorship of junior researchers and students. Working at the interface of biology, technology and engineering, you will help shape GBI’s vision to reimagine what’s possible in biology.

We are looking for postdoctoral researchers to support Group Leaders as they join GBI. We are currently recruiting for Group Leaders in the following areas which are consistent with GBI’s vision:

• Molecular and Cellular Design and Evolution.
• Enzyme design.
• Design of molecular assemblies and machines.
• Experimental accelerated evolution.
• Robotics, automation and autonomous labs.
• Genome mining and informatics‑based discovery.
• Computational AI sequence to function.
• Expanding chemistry in biology.
• Scalable error‑free DNA and genome synthesis.
• Microbial Genome Synthesis and Design.
• Gb‑scale Genome Synthesis for plants, human cells and animals.
• Combinatorial synthetic genomics.
• DNA delivery.
• Predictive models of DNA sequence to function, at the scale of genes and genomes.
• Human health applications and delivery mechanisms.

Examples of specific projects that we are working on, and for which we are also recruiting PhD students, can be found here:

• Reprogramming the Genetic Code
• Generative modelling of protein structure and sequence
• Accelerated Evolution
• Microbial Genome Synthesis
• Engineering genetic isolation

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, or support the Director of the Generative Biology Institute.

Essential & Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Completed a PhD within the last four years in a relevant field (e.g. synthetic biology, computational biology and AI, microbial, plant and human cell biology, genomics, robotics and automation and nucleic acid 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.

We offer the following benefits:

• Enhanced holiday pay
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Hospital Cash Plan
• Therapy Services
• Perk Box
• Electrical Car Scheme

Why work for EIT:

At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect and resilience we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!

Terms of Appointment:

• You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary.
• You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford.
• 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 role is offered on an initial four‑year fixed term basis.

We will be recruiting Post Doctoral Researchers over the next 2–3 years, with applications reviewed every one to three months as part of a rolling selection process.