Research Associate

The Department of Biology is seeking to recruit a Research Associate for 12 months. This post is financially supported by funds from the ARIA project OPTIMiSE. The work is to be conducted in his lab in the Department of Biology, South Parks Road Building. The postholder will support the group with general lab activities and plant growth. The group works with a variety of plant species including Solanum tuberosum as models to investigate opportunities to improve crop yield under heat and high-light conditions.

The role of the individual will include tissue culture, biolistic transformation, trans/cis-gene detection, qPCR and western blot. The work might include some bioinformatics analyses of protein properties and predictions of the effect of mutations on structure, interaction and function.

The successful candidate should demonstrate relevant experience in molecular plant biology and will work closely with other group members to assist them with their research. They must work as part of a team, be willing to help others and manage them to ensure a plant working environment. The postholder is expected to be organised, with excellent record keeping and have the ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks. Desirable experience includes previous experience with basic molecular biology and bioinformatics techniques, although training will be provided. See the job description for the full list of selection criteria.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Prof Francesco Licausi (francesco.licausi@biology.ox.ac.uk).

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online, and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience.

The University of Oxford is committed to equality and valuing diversity. All applicants will be judged on merit, according to the selection criteria.

This is a 12 month fixed term and is available from 1st October 2025.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Wednesday 20th August 2025, interviews are likely to be scheduled to take place in early-September.