"Postdoctoral Research Assistant in OA Pain Neurobiology"

Postdoctoral Research Assistant in OA Pain Neurobiology

Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford OX3 7FY

185165 – Postdoctoral Research Assistant in OA Pain Neurobiology
Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS)
Grade 7: Salary in the range of £39,424 - £40,514 per annum. This is inclusive of a pensionable Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per year.
This is a full time, fixed term position for 2 years.

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

The Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) is part of the Medical Sciences Division and is the largest European academic department in its field, running a globally competitive programme of research and teaching. The Kennedy Institute is a biomedical research centre uniquely bringing together discovery science and early-stage clinical research, to develop transformative new therapies for chronic inflammatory and musculoskeletal conditions.

The Centre for Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis (OA Centre) was established in 2013 and is led by Professor Tonia Vincent. This funding from Wellcome Trust/UKRI provides support for a creation of platform to create in vitro humanised pain models, including that associated with osteoarthritis (OA).

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join the Centre for Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology. You will be part of an interdisciplinary team of scientists and clinician researchers working on OA and related pain. You will be responsible for setting up novel humanised 3D models of OA pain which incorporate iPSC-derived neurons, vascular cells and chondrocytes.

About You
You will hold a PhD in Neurobiology or another related field and possess established expertise and specialist knowledge in pain research including in vitro neuronal activation. You will have experience of mechanistic OA pain research as well as experience of contributing to publications/presentations. You will demonstrate the ability to manage own academic research and associated activities as well as contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. Please quote 185165 in all correspondence.

The closing date for applications is 12pm 13th March 2026.

Interviews will take place during week commencing 30th March 2026 and will be online or in person.

Contact Person: NDORMS Recruitment | Vacancy ID: 185165 | Closing Date & Time: 13-Mar-2026 12:00 | Pay Scale: RESEARCH GRADE 7 | Contact Email: recruitment@ndorms.ox.ac.uk | Salary (£): Salary in the range of £39,424 - £40,514 per annum. This is inclusive of a pensionable Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per year.