Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Microbiology

University of Oxford - Department of Paediatrics

Location: Oxford Vaccine Group, Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine IDRM, Old Road Campus, Oxford

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Microbiology to join the Oxford Vaccine Group (OVG) as part of the Correlates of Immunity – Artificial Intelligence (CoI-AI) Programme, a pioneering initiative that integrates controlled human infection models, advanced microbiology and immunology, and AI-driven analytics to accelerate vaccine discovery.

The postholder will contribute to the microbiology workstream of the programme, supporting laboratory studies across multiple clinically relevant bacterial pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Group A Streptococcus and E. coli. You will be responsible for pathogen culture, characterisation, and microbiological readouts from controlled human infection and clinical research studies, working within established protocols while also contributing to the development and optimisation of new assays and experimental approaches. Working closely with senior microbiologists, immunologists, and computational scientists, you will generate high-quality microbiological data suitable for integration with immunological and clinical datasets and downstream AI-based analyses. The role involves maintaining rigorous laboratory records, contributing to data interpretation and reporting, and supporting publications and presentations arising from the programme.

You will be working in a growing department within the Medical Sciences Division. The Department of Paediatrics is a world leader in child health research and hosts internationally renowned research programmes in drug development, gastroenterology, haematology, HIV, immunology, neuroimaging, neuromuscular diseases and vaccinology. The Oxford Vaccine Group is a world-leading academic research group conducting clinical and translational studies to advance vaccine development working with a diverse portfolio funded by industry, government and charitable organisations.

This position is offered full-time on a fixed-term contract initially for 2 years with the possibility to extend provided further external funding is available.

About the department

The Department of Paediatrics has been honoured with the Athena Swan Gold award, a national gender equality charter, recognising the Department's innovative policies and practices. We are committed to the professional development of our staff by providing up to ten paid days annually for skill enhancement and allowing applications for additional training funding. By joining us, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking department.

We welcome new staff with ideas who are willing to shape the future of the department that thinks about its staff and wellbeing. In addition to the University of Oxford wellbeing resources, the Department of Paediatrics sponsors weekly exercise classes such as yoga and bootcamp sessions as well as a choir. For staff on work visas, we also offer financial assistance towards visa renewal fees. These activities are designed to promote physical and mental wellbeing among staff members.

About you

You will hold a PhD/DPhil (or be near completion) in Microbiology or a closely related discipline, with sufficient specialist knowledge to contribute effectively to an established research programme. You will have demonstrable experience in the microbiology of one or more clinically relevant bacterial pathogens and in the use of classical and/or molecular microbiological techniques. You will be able to manage your own research activities, deliver high-quality microbiological data to deadlines, and communicate results clearly through written reports, publications, and presentations. You will have a collaborative approach, with the flexibility to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.