"Postdoctoral Researcher"

University of Oxford - Department of Oncology

Location: Oxford

Salary: £39,424 to £47,779 per annum. Grade 7

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 3rd February 2026

Closes: 2nd March 2026

Job Ref: 184407

Location: Old Road Campus Research Building (ORCRB), Oxford, OX3 7DQ

About the role

There is an exciting opportunity to join Professor Ester Hammond’s research team as a postdoctoral researcher. Prof Hammond’s well-established team is renowned for their mechanistic insight into the biological response to conditions of insufficient oxygen (hypoxia) which are commonly found in solid tumours. Hypoxia predicts for poor patient prognosis due to increased aggressiveness and resistance to standard therapies. The groups’ ultimate goal is to translate their findings into improved patient care.

You will manage own academic research and administrative activities, adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques, and test hypotheses and analyse scientific data from a variety of sources. You will contribute ideas for new research projects, develop ideas for generating research income, and present detailed research proposals to senior researchers. You will collaborate in the preparation of scientific reports and journal articles, and use specialist scientific equipment in a laboratory environment, including hypoxia chambers. You will also carry out collaborative projects with colleagues in partner institutions and research groups.

About you

You will hold a relevant PhD/DPhil (or be close to completion) with relevant experience and a first author publication related to cancer biology. You will possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to work within established research programmes, for example knowledge of cancer biology, hypoxia-mediated biology, redox, and the tumour micro-environment. You will have experience of cell viability assays, western blotting, qRT-PCR, and IHC/immunofluorescence, and the ability to manage own academic research and associated activities. You will be able to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation. Excellent communication skills, including writing for publication, presenting research proposals and results, and representing the research group at meetings, are essential.

Knowledge of the DNA damage response (DDR), unfolded protein response (UPR), and knowledge and previous experience of working in brain tumour research (ideally paediatric) are considered advantageous.

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 inclusive of bank holidays (pro rata for part time)
• 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

Application Process

If you would like to discuss this role, please contact Ester Hammond at ester.hammond@oncology.ox.ac.uk.

You will be required to upload a supporting statement (setting out how you meet the selection criteria), a curriculum vitae and the names and contact details of two referees as part of your online application.

Only applications received by 12:00PM on Monday, 2nd March 2026 can be considered.

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

Committed to equality and valuing diversity