Postdoctoral Research Associate in Single Molecule Biophysics

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

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate in Single Molecule Biophysics. You will contribute to pioneering research using microchip-based technology for measuring macromolecular properties. The ideal candidate holds a PhD in a related field and has expertise in single molecule fluorescence experiments and optical imaging. This role offers a competitive salary range of £38,674 to £46,913.

Qualifications

• Experience in building or modifying experimental set-ups for optical imaging and spectroscopy.
• Ability to perform basic biochemical work with proteins and DNA, e.g., fluorescence labelling.
• Experience with data analysis highly rated.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to ongoing developments deploying technology on measurement problems in biology.
• Measure properties of macromolecules with microchip-based technology.

Skills

Single molecule fluorescence experiments

Optical imaging and spectroscopy

Data analysis

Basic biochemical work

Education

PhD in biophysics, biochemistry, physical chemistry, physics, engineering, or related area

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Single Molecule Biophysics

The Krishnan Lab works in the broad area of soft condensed matter at the nanometer scale and has a long- standing interest in measuring and understanding the properties and interactions of molecular-scale matter, e.g., biological macromolecules.

Recently the group pioneered "molecular stereometry" a new experimental approach to measuring a molecule's size and shape in the solution phase (Science 2025). Our microchip-based escape-time technology platform now enables measurements of the physical properties of macromolecules such as their electrical charge, size and 3D conformation with unprecedented precision, one at a time and in real time (Nature, 2010; Nature Nanotechnology, 2012, 2017; Science 2025). The experimental approaches used in our work centre around optical imaging and spectroscopy and nanofabrication. The work also relies on theory and simulation, specifically focusing on numerical mean-field electrostatics calculations and Brownian Dynamics simulations.

The group is looking for a highly motivated and driven postdoctoral researcher to contribute strongly to a wave of ongoing developments deploying this technology on a broad range of measurement problems in biology. The research requires expertise in single molecule fluorescence experiments: specifically in building or modifying experimental set-ups for optical imaging and spectroscopy. Experience with data analysis or the ability to perform basic biochemical work with proteins and DNA, e.g., fluorescence labelling, enzymatic reactions will be highly rated in the selection process. The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in biophysics, biochemistry, physical chemistry, physics, engineering, or a related area, or have submitted a PhD thesis prior to taking up the appointment.

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, 20 October 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 Officer

Vacancy ID :

181094

Contact Phone :

Closing Date & Time :

20-Oct-2025 12:00

Pay Scale :

RESEARCH GRADE 7

Contact Email :

[e-mail]

Salary (£) :

£38674 - £46913