Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Nanomedicine formulation for drug delivery and advanced nucleic-acid based therapeutics

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

Contract & job type: Full-time, Fixed-term for 18 months or until 30 November 2028 (whichever is soonest)

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 to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join Professor Dame Molly Stevens’s lab. The Stevens Group operates at the intersection of multiple disciplines, enabling highly collaborative and cross-field research. The lab is based at the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Discovery and is strategically affiliated with the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, as well as the Institute of Biomedical Engineering within the Department of Engineering Science. We are looking for a drug delivery scientist with broad expertise on formulation and physicochemical and biological evaluation of nanoparticle carriers for nucleic acid and small molecule therapeutic delivery. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of structure-function relationships in delivery systems.

This post is available immediately for a fixed-term of 18 months or until 30 November 2028 (whichever is soonest), with the possibility of part-time appointments being considered.

Key responsibilities:

• Design and optimise lipid and polymer nanoparticle-based nucleic acid or small molecule delivery systems (e.g. LNPs, polyplexes, lipid–polymer hybrids).
• Perform formulation characterisation and stability studies (e.g. structure, size, charge, encapsulation, release kinetics).
• Conduct in vitro delivery and functional assays, including transfection, cytokine profiling, and protein expression.
• Contribute to translation-focused optimisation, including mucosal delivery, immune compatibility, and scalability.
• Undertake the associated data analysis and interpretation, ensuring validity and reliability of data at all times.
• Manage your own research activities, including administrative tasks associated with the project.
• Actively participate in the multidisciplinary environment of the Stevens Group and collaborate with external research groups.

Selection criteria:

• Hold, or be near to completion of, a PhD/DPhil in bioengineering, biomedical sciences, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or related field.
• Experience in formulation of lipid or polymer nanoparticle systems for nucleic acid or small molecule delivery.
• Experience in an array of nanoparticle characterisation techniques (e.g. DLS, FCS, flow cytometry, super resolution microscopy, SANS/SAXS, cryoTEM)
• Strong understanding of structure–function relationships in therapeutic delivery systems.
• Proven experience in cell-based transfection assays and delivery evaluation.
• Previous experience of contributing to publications/presentations, with a proven track record of first author publications in peer reviewed journals.

Please refer to the Job Description for a full list of responsibilities and 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 Tuesday 19 May 2026. Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 01 June, 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