Postgraduate Research Assistant

Corehr; Oxford; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Job summary

The RDM Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, invites applications for a Postgraduate Research Assistant to join the CureHeart team, aiming to develop cures for inherited cardiomyopathies using advanced genetic therapies. You will culture and differentiate iPSCs into cardiomyocytes, perform sequencing experiments, analyse data, and present findings at group meetings.

The role offers opportunities to collaborate internationally and build RNA-based therapy

Qualifications

• BSc 2:1 or higher in Developmental, Molecular and Cell Biology, Biochemistry or Natural Sciences.
• Experience in cell culture, PCR, qPCR, and DNA/RNA extraction is required.
• Experience with iPSC culture and differentiation into cardiomyocytes or other cell types is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Culture and maintain iPSCs and differentiate them into cardiomyocytes in 2D and 3D formats.
• Develop oligonucleotide-based therapies and perform cellular and sequencing experiments.
• Analyze data from experiments and present findings at internal group meetings.

Skills

Cell culture

PCR

qPCR

DNA/RNA extraction

iPSC culture

Cardiomyocyte differentiation

Education

BSc 2:1 or higher

Tools

Next generation sequencing library preparation

Job description

RDM Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU

We are seeking a highly motivated Postgraduate Research Assistant with expertise and interest in developing cures for inherited cardiomyopathies using advanced genetic therapies to join the CureHeart (https://cureheart.org/) team at the University of Oxford. CureHeart is an Oxford-led international research programme aiming to develop cures for inherited cardiomyopathies using advanced genetic therapies.

As Postgraduate Research Assistant, you will be directly involved in the day-to-day culture and maintenance of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), differentiation of iPSCs into cardiomyocytes in 2D and 3D experimental formats. The post will involve developing oligonucleotide based therapies and a variety of other cellular and sequencing experiments and will also involve analysing data from experiments, and presenting the findings at internal group meetings. The post offers a unique opportunity to develop a skill set in the field of RNA based therapies in iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, with opportunities for networking and collaboration with international research groups.

You will hold a BSc 2:1 or higher in a relevant discipline (i.e., Developmental, Molecular and Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or Natural Sciences), alongside having experience in cell culture, PCR, qPCR, and DNA and RNA extraction. Experience in the culture of iPSC and their differentiation into cardiomyocytes or other cell types, along with experience in next generation sequencing library preparation or analysis will be an advantage.

This is a full-time appointment on a fixed-term contract to 9 November 2028, and you will be based at the West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU.

Only applications received before 12:00 midday on 16th September 2026 can be considered.

Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing 28th September 2026.

For informal enquiries about the position, please contact Dr Alex Sparrow – [e-mail]

The University of Oxford offers a comprehensive range ofcompetitive benefitsavailable to all members of staff designed to support both professional and personal wellbeing (https://unioxfordnexus.sharepoint.com/sites/OXINTRANET-working-here/SitePages/staff-benefits.aspx).

Benefits include:

• Generous family leave schemes, including maternity, paternity, adoption, and carers’ leave
• 38 days of annual leave, plus additional leave for continuous service
• Membership of a highly competitive pension scheme
• Annual cost-of-living reviews and automatic salary increments up to the top of the grade
• Extensive training and professional development opportunities
• Travel support schemes and a wide range of transport discounts, including bus, train, and bicycle travel

Committed to equality and valuing diversity

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented within higher education. No applicant or members of staff shall be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Salary (£) : £33,951 – £39,906 with a discretionary range to £44,746