Postdoctoral Researcher

The Ellison Institute Of Technology (eit); Oxford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institute in Oxford is looking for a qualified candidate with a PhD in a scientific discipline to design and execute experiments focused on biological engineering and innovative methodologies. You will analyze complex datasets, mentor junior team members, and contribute to publications. The role offers a competitive salary with additional benefits including holiday pay and private medical insurance.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Enhanced holiday pay

Pension

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Private Medical Insurance

Hospital Cash Plan

Therapy Services

Perk Box

Electrical Car Scheme

Qualifications

• Strong track record of hands-on research in relevant areas.
• Proven ability to work independently and creatively.
• Experience preparing scientific publications and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments aligned with project goals.
• Analyze complex datasets using statistical tools.
• Mentor and support junior team members.

Skills

Hands-on research experience

Mammalian cell culture

Molecular biology

Genomic data analysis

Creative problem-solving

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

PhD in a relevant scientific discipline

Tools

Computational tools for data analysis

Job description

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments aligned with the aims of the grant, including developing novel methodologies or adapting existing techniques to new applications
• Analyse complex datasets using appropriate computational and statistical tools, and interpret results in the context of the broader research objectives
• Contribute intellectually to the direction of the project by identifying opportunities to innovate, troubleshoot experimental challenges, and refine research questions
• Prepare written materials including scientific publications, reports, presentations, and protocols
• Collaborate with other group members and external partners to ensure progress across complementary workstreams
• Contribute to the development of the lab's research infrastructure and capabilities
• Mentor and support junior team members, including Research Assistants
• Stay up to date with relevant scientific literature and bring emerging technologies and approaches into the lab
• Present findings at internal and external meetings and conferences
• Undertake other duties in support of the research group as requested by the Group Leader
  PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Computer Science)

Qualifications

• Strong track record of hands-on research, ideally in mammalian cell culture and engineering, molecular biology, or synthetic biology
• Desirable: Experience with genomic data analysis, automation platforms, or computational tools relevant to the field
• Proven ability to work independently, think creatively, and solve complex problems
• Experience preparing publications and delivering scientific presentations
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple parallel workstreams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams
• A proactive mindset and enthusiasm for working in a fast-paced, high-growth research environment

Benefits

• Salary: Competitive
• Enhanced holiday pay
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Hospital Cash Plan
• Therapy Services
• Perk Box
• Electrical Car Scheme
• The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) tackles humanity's greatest challenges by turning science and technology into impactful global solutions. Focused on areas like health, food security, sustainable agriculture, climate change, clean energy, and robotics in an era of artificial intelligence. EIT blends groundbreaking research with practical applications to deliver lasting results.
  The cornerstones of EIT mission is its upcoming 300,000-square-foot research facility at the Oxford Science Park, set to open in 2027. This cutting-edge campus will feature advanced labs, an oncology and preventative care clinic, and collaborative spaces strengthen its partnership with the University of Oxford. It will also host the Ellison Scholars, driving innovation for societal benefit. 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. Wellcome SynHG Professor Chin is the lead Principal Investigator on the Wellcome Synthetic Human Genome (SynHG) project, for which research will be conducted at GBI in Oxford. The aim of the five-year multi-centre project (supported by £10m of funding) is to develop the foundational and scalable tools, technology and methods needed to synthesise large sections of human genomes/chromosomes. Through programmable synthesis of genetic material the aim is to unlock a deeper understanding of life, leading to potential acceleration of the development of safe, targeted, cell-based therapies, and opening entire new fields of research in human health. The project aims to achieve reliable genome design and synthesis - engineering cells to have specific functions - which will be a major milestone in modern biology. A dedicated social science program will support the research.
  We offer the following salary and benefits:)
• 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.