Postdoctoral Research Associate in Biological Supramolecular Chemistry and Synthetic Biology

University of Oxford; England; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious UK university is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Biological Supramolecular Chemistry and Synthetic Biology. The role involves developing light-regulated amino acid transport and engineering responsive synthetic cells. Candidates should hold a PhD in a relevant field and have experience in organic synthesis and microscopy techniques. The position is for up to 3 years starting from October 2025, with a salary range of £38,674 to £46,913 per annum.

Qualifications

• Hold a PhD or be close to completion.
• Experience in multi-step organic synthesis.
• Expertise in synthetic cells and fluorescence microscopy.

Responsibilities

• Manage your own academic research and administrative activities.
• Coordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines.

Skills

Multi-step organic synthesis

Fluorescence microscopy techniques

Project management

Education

PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Biology or a related area

Tools

Artificial transport systems

Photo-responsive systems

Job description

About the role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Biological Supramolecular Chemistry and Synthetic Biology to work under the supervision of Professor Matthew Langton in the Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, for a period of up to 3 years. The project involves the development of methods to use light to regulate transport of amino acids and to engineer photo-responsive synthetic cells containing protein machinery. The project involves the synthesis of synthetic transport systems for amino acids, photochemistry and fabrication of responsive synthetic cells containing biological components.

Find out more about the Langton research group here

About you

Applicants must hold a PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Biology or a related area (or be close to completion) prior to taking up the appointment. The research requires experience in multi-step organic synthesis, preparation of synthetic cells and fluorescence microscopy techniques. Expertise in artificial transport systems and photo-responsive systems is desirable.

You will be expected to manage your own academic research and administrative activities. This involves small scale project management, to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines.

The post will be based in the Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, 12 Mansfield Road, OX1 3TA and is available from 1 October 2025.

Application Process

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your application. In your supporting statement ( , please explain how you meet each of the selection criteria found in the job description.

Certificates, references and research papers should not be provided at this stage.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 midday Monday, 1 September 2025, UK time. Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter.

The University of Oxford and The Department of Chemistry are Silver Athena SWAN holders. Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and ethnic minority candidates, who are under-represented in Chemistry research posts in Oxford.

Contact Person :

Recruitment Administrator

Vacancy ID :

181343

Contact Phone :

Closing Date & Time :

01-Sep-2025 12:00

Pay Scale :

RESEARCH GRADE 7

Contact Email :

[e-mail]

Salary (£) :

Grade 7: £38,674 - £46,913 per annum (inclusive of Oxford University Weighting)