Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Microgels for Therapeutic Delivery and Regenerative Medicine

Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery
Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU

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.

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 lab. 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.

See Job Description for a full list of responsibilities.

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.

See Job Description for a full list of criteria.

What we offer: Your wellbeing at work matters, so we offer a range of family friendly and financial benefits including:

• 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.

How to apply: Please provide a supporting statement outlining how you meet the selection criteria along with your CV, and the details of two referees as part of your online application. The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 06 May. Interviews are likely to take place during the week 11 May, and will be held on Microsoft Teams. Applications are particularly welcome from women, black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford.

Follow us: Stay connected with us on LinkedIn, Bluesky and Instagram to learn more about our work and culture. Informal enquiries about the role may be directed to the DPAG HR Team: hr@dpag.ox.ac.uk