"Research Assistant"

Contract & job type: Full-time, fixed term for 2 years

About us: 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 Research Assistant to join the Srinivas research group. The ideal candidate will be a motivated, collegial and highly organised individual holding a relevant bachelor’s and/or master’s degree with strong foundational knowledge of developmental biology and enthusiastic about hands-on laboratory research. In this role, you will be responsible for supporting ongoing research projects by devising, running and adapting experiments, analysing and presenting data, and overseeing day-to-day organisation and compliance of the laboratory. This post is available from 01 May 2026 and is fixed-term for 2 years.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage own research and administrative activities, within guidelines provided by senior colleagues
• Contribute to wider project planning, including ideas for new research projects
• Determine the most appropriate methodologies to test hypotheses, and identify suitable alternatives if technical problems arise
• Responsible for general laboratory management and administration, in compliance with health and safety, and quality standards of the institute
• Gather, analyse, and present scientific data from a variety of sources
• Contribute to scientific reports and journal articles and the presentation of data/papers at meetings and conferences, both internal and external, representing the research group either with other members of the group or alone
• Use specialist scientific equipment in a laboratory environment

Selection criteria:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. biological sciences, molecular biology, biotechnology, biomedicine, biochemistry), with specialist understanding of developmental, cell and molecular biology
• Ability and willingness to learn new skills and undertake further training and development aligned to the role, which may include working with laboratory animals
• Experience in working in a scientific laboratory, including experience with isolation of gastrulation stage mouse embryos, molecular detection techniques such as immunofluorescence and hybridisation chain reaction, cell culture and the use advanced microscopes (e.g. confocal and lightsheet microscopy)
• Strong organisational abilities to support laboratory operations, including stock management, ordering and inventory control
• Ability to manage own research and administrative activities

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

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 26 March 2026. Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 06 April 2026, 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

DPAG’s Statement of Inclusion: We, as a Department and Community, will be considerate and welcoming of all people, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socio-economic background. We acknowledge societal inequalities and how these impact us, and those around us, personally and professionally. Our policies, practices and Respectful Behaviours Framework underpin this commitment.

DPAG and Sustainability: We have signed up to The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) and Green Impact, actively implementing and encouraging eco-friendly practices that reduce waste, promote energy efficiency, and promote bio-diversity. See the job description for more detail.