Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of Oxford - Department of Biology

Location:	Oxford
Salary:	£39,424 to £43,984 per annum
Hours:	Full Time
Contract Type:	Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 30th March 2026
Closes: 23rd April 2026
Job Ref: 185742

Location: Life and Mind Building, South Parks Road, OX1 3EL

About the role

The Department of Biology is seeking to recruit a Research Associate for 6 months. This post is financially supported by funds from the BBSRC grant BB/X001059/1 ‘Regulation of adaptive responses to flood-induced hypoxia in Marchantia polymorpha’ awarded to Prof Francesco Licausi. The work is to be conducted in the Synoxys lab in the Department of Biology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3EL. The postholder will study signalling pathways that lead to the activation of adaptive physiological responses in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha.

The role of the individual will be as follows: (i) analyse gene and protein expression; (ii) express and purify proteins from heterologous hosts, (iii) generate transgenic plants and (iv) comapre protein and nucleotide sequences to study phylogenetic relations.

About you

The successful candidate will be educated to PhD/DPhil level with relevant experience in molecular plant biology and biochemistry. They will work closely with other group members to assist them with gene functional characterisation. They must work as part of a team, be willing to learn new methods and skills and persevere in case of discouraging results. The role will also include protocol development. The postholder is expected to be organised, with excellent record keeping and have the ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks, including training junior members in the group. Desirable experience includes previous experience with growing plants, although training will be provided. See the job description for the full list of selection criteria.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Prof Francesco Licausi (francesco.licausi@biology.ox.ac.uk).

How to apply

The University of Oxford is committed to equal opportunity, and to being a place where everyone belongs and is supported to succeed. We recognise how the diversity of our community enriches our ability to deliver on our academic mission.

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.

This is a fixed term post available until 30th October 2026 and is available from May 2026.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on 23rd April 2026, interviews are likely to be scheduled to take place by the end of April. Applications for this vacancy are to be made online, and applicants will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application. Supporting statements must explain how applicants meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of their skills and experience.