Contract & job type
Full-time, Fixed-term for 18 months
About us
The Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery (Kavli INsD), established in March 2021, brings together over 30 faculty and 450 researchers across disciplines to tackle global health challenges. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and providing cutting‑edge facilities, it encourages innovation and shared discovery, and benefits from the close proximity of the scientific departments as well as advanced imaging and characterisation facilities and state‑of‑the‑art instrumentation.
Department
At the Department of Physiology Anatomy & Genetics (DPAG) we undertake discovery science where we reassemble physiological processes at the molecular, cellular, tissue and systems level of organisation. In so doing we provide a bridge to translational medicine, and interface between physical and life sciences. We are committed not only to innovative research and the highest standard of teaching, but also to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment.
Overview of the role
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join Professor Dame Molly Stevens’s laboratory. The ideal candidate will have experience in hydrogel chemistry, microfluidics and bioprinting, and a strong understanding of the cell‑biomaterial interactions. In this role, you will be responsible for the design, fabrication and biological evaluation of microgel‑based encapsulation and therapeutic delivery systems. This post is available immediately for 18 months.
Key responsibilities
* Design and optimise hydrogel systems for cell encapsulation, cell delivery, 3D culture and biofabrication.
* Develop droplet microfluidic workflows for the reproducible generation of uniform hydrogel microparticles and cell‑laden microgels.
* Characterise the hydrogels using rheology, microscopy and related physicochemical techniques, and translate the results into design rules.
* Plan and perform cell culture and encapsulation experiments, including viability, proliferation, imaging and functional assays.
Selection criteria
* Hold, or be near to completion of, a PhD/DPhil in biomaterials, bioengineering, biomedical sciences, chemistry, or related field.
* Experience in the design or fabrication of hydrogel microparticles, microgels or related biomaterial systems for cell encapsulation, cell delivery or 3D culture.
* Experience in droplet microfluidics or closely related microscale fluidic fabrication methods.
* Understanding of cell culture and in vitro evaluation of biomaterial‑cell interactions.
* Experience in biomaterials characterisation techniques relevant to soft materials, such as rheology, microscopy, and mechanical testing.
* Previous experience of contributing to publications/presentations, with a proven track record of first author publications in peer‑reviewed journals.
What we offer
* An excellent contributory pension scheme
* 38 days annual leave
* A comprehensive range of childcare services
* Family leave schemes
* Cycle and electric car loan schemes
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
* Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
While this is a full‑time role, we welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part‑time working or other flexible working arrangements.
Equal Opportunity
Applications are particularly welcome from women, black and minority ethnic candidates who are under‑represented in academic posts in Oxford.
DPAG’s Statement of Inclusion
We, as a Department and Community, will be considerate and welcoming of all people, regardless of age, disability, gender re‑assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socio‑economic background. We acknowledge societal inequalities and how these impact us, and those around us, personally and professionally. Our policies, practices and Respectful Behaviours Framework underpin this commitment.
DPAG and Sustainability
We have signed up to The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) and Green Impact, actively implementing and encouraging eco‑friendly practices that reduce waste, promote energy efficiency, and promote bio‑diversity. See the job description for more detail.
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