Postdoctoral Research Associate

Royal Holloway University of London; Egham; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Training and development

Pension scheme

Cycle to Work

Season Ticket Loans

Eyesight testing assistance

Free parking

Job summary

Royal Holloway University of London invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Biological Sciences. The role, based in Surrey, collaborates with SYNGENTA Jealott’s Hill on the Plant Cell Libraries project, focusing on engineered plant cell cultures and whole plants using multi-omics approaches.

The successful candidate will lead experimental work, develop design build test learn cycles, contribute to publications, and mentor students within a dynamic research

Qualifications

• PhD (or near completion) in a relevant discipline with strong research in plant molecular cell biology and plant in vitro culture.
• Experience in plant cell and tissue culture, genetic transformation, selection and screening, and molecular cloning techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organisation and time management abilities, and ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Lead experimental research using physiological, biochemical, imaging and multi-omics approaches.
• Apply iterative design–build–test–learn strategies to advance plant engineering.
• Contribute to scientific publications and conference presentations.
• Support mentoring of students and colleagues and contribute to the research programme.

Skills

Plant molecular biology

Plant cell culture

Genetic transformation

Molecular cloning

Data analysis

Bioinformatics

Experimental design

Communication

Time management

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Plant Biology / Synthetic Biology / Metabolic Engineering / Biochemistry / Molecular Biology

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Company: Royal Holloway University of London

Salary: from £42,150 a year

Hours: Full-time

Location: Surrey, TW20 0EX

Working pattern: On-site

Job type: Contract

Posting date: 30 Oct 2026

Full-Time, Fixed-Term to 30 November 2028

Applications are invited for the post of Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Biological Sciences.

About the Role. We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Department of Biological Sciences at Royal Holloway, University of London, working with Professor Alessandra Devoto, in collaboration with SYNGENTA Jealott’s Hill, on the exciting research project “Plant Cell Libraries”. This role offers an opportunity to contribute to innovative research in plant synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, focusing on the development and characterisation of engineered plant cell cultures and whole plants. The successful candidate will lead experimental research using physiological, biochemical, imaging and multi-omics approaches, applying iterative design–build–test–learn strategies to advance plant engineering. Working collaboratively within a dynamic research environment, the post holder will contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations and the wider development of the research programme.

In return we offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Training and Development opportunities
• Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution
• Various schemes including Cycle to Work, Season Ticket Loans and help with the cost of Eyesight testing
• Free parking

The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the University is situated, near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Prof Alessandra Devoto on [e-mail] or [phone].

For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at: [e-mail]

Please quote the reference: 1026-357

Closing Date: 23:59, 13 November 2026

Interview Date: 18 November 2026 (due to the timescales we are unable to accommodate changes to this date)

Start date: 1 December 2026

Right to work: Please note that it will not be possible for the University to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to the successful candidate for this position. Therefore, the appointable candidate will need to be eligible to work in the UK or have leave to remain in the UK and associated right to work for the duration of their employment with the University, in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

Essential requirements

Qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience. You will have a PhD (or be close to completion) in Plant Biology, Synthetic Biology, Metabolic Engineering, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or a related discipline, together with a strong research background in plant molecular cell biology and plant in vitro culture. You will have practical experience in plant cell and tissue culture, genetic transformation, selection and screening, and molecular cloning techniques, alongside skills in experimental design, data analysis and interpretation. Experience in preparing biological samples for high-throughput genomics, microscopy and related bioinformatics analyses would be advantageous. You will also demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organisational and time management abilities, and the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively. Your ability to maintain accurate research records, present complex scientific information to different audiences and support the mentoring of students and colleagues will be important to the successful delivery of the project.

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