Postdoctoral Research Scientist Full-time

Postdoctoral Research Scientist

We are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join the research group of Dr Ricardo Fernandes at the Nuffield Department of Medicine. The group develops novel tools and methods directed at eliciting robust antitumour responses by cells of the immune system. The successful candidate will join a new research programme focused on understanding the fundamental principles of immune receptor signalling, with a strong emphasis on identifying key determinants of antitumour responses by immune cells.

The post is part of REPRESSIT, a major international consortium supported by a prestigious European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder Grant. This is an exciting and rapidly evolving field where new molecules and concepts can quickly advance from bench to bedside. Our group has recently generated novel proteins capable of selectively shutting down signalling by surface immune receptors, providing a unique opportunity to explore their role in T-cell function through a multidisciplinary approach.

You will be responsible for investigating the molecular mechanisms that regulate immune receptor signalling and T-cell function, applying biochemical and cellular approaches to analyse signalling pathways, contributing to the development and characterisation of engineered immunomodulatory proteins, and utilising state-of-the-art technologies including protein engineering and single-cell transcriptomic analysis. You will also work closely with collaborators across the REPRESSIT consortium and contribute to a vibrant and interdisciplinary research environment.

It is essential that you hold, or are close to completion of, a PhD/DPhil in Immunology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline. You will have an outstanding background in immunology with a strong emphasis on biochemistry, including experience in the analysis of signalling pathways and a structural understanding of protein design and function. You will demonstrate a strong commitment to developing expertise in protein engineering, directed evolution, and single-cell transcriptomic analysis. Excellent communication, organisational, and collaborative skills, together with the ability to work independently and as part of an international multidisciplinary team, are also essential.

Applications for this vacancy should be made online and you will need to upload a supporting statement and CV. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. Please restrict your documentation to your CV and supporting statement only. Any other documents will be requested at a later date.

This position is offered full time on a fixed-term contract until 30 April 2028 and is funded by the Innovate UK (UKRI) Horizon EIC. Only applications received before 12 midday on 16 June 2026 will be considered. Please quote 186960 on all correspondence.