Postdoctoral Research Associate

Royal Holloway University of London; Egham; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Training and development

Pension scheme

Cycle to Work

Season Ticket Loans

Eyesight testing

Free parking

Job summary

Royal Holloway, University of London, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Biological Sciences based in Egham, Surrey. The role focuses on plant synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, leading design–build–test–learn experiments and collaborating with SYNGENTA Jealott’s Hill.

You will drive multi-omics analyses, contribute to publications and conferences, and mentor junior researchers within a dynamic team.

Qualifications

• PhD (or near completion) in Plant Biology or related field.
• Hands-on experience in plant cell culture, genetic transformation, selection and screening, and molecular cloning.
• Experience with high-throughput genomics, microscopy and related bioinformatics analyses would be advantageous.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, strong organisational and time management abilities, capacity 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.
• Collaborate across teams and contribute to scientific publications and conference presentations.
• Mentor students and colleagues and maintain accurate research records.

Skills

Experimental design

Data analysis

Scientific writing

Team collaboration

Mentoring

Time management

Education

PhD or near completion in Plant Biology, Synthetic Biology, Metabolic Engineering, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology

Tools

Plant cell culture

Genetic transformation

Molecular cloning

High-throughput genomics prep

Microscopy

Bioinformatics analyses

Job description

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.

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.

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.

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.

Please quote the reference: 1026-357

Closing Date:23:59, 13 November 2026

Interview Date:18 November 2026 (due to the timescales involved, we are unable to accommodate requests to reschedule this date)

Royal Holloway is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and encourages applications from all people regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, parental status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or trans status or history. More information on our structures and initiatives around EDI, including information on staff diversity networks, can be found on our Equality and Diversity Intranet page .