Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Chemical Synthesis for Advanced Therapeutics Full-time

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Chemical Synthesis for Advanced Therapeutics

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 two Postdoctoral Research Assistants 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.

The posts require complementary chemistry skills to support ongoing research in the development of biomaterials for advanced therapeutic and drug delivery applications. We are looking for talented chemists with broad expertise in synthesis and characterisation of polymers, small molecules, and/or soft materials for biomedical applications. The role is highly multidisciplinary involving collaboration with researchers working within the fields of materials science, bioengineering, chemistry and biology. Successful candidates will engage with researchers both within the lab and across partner institutions, requiring strong organizational abilities to navigate complex, multi-team projects.

This post is available immediately for a fixed-term of 18 months (depending on start date), with the possibility of part-time appointments being considered.

Key Responsibilities

Develop research questions and conduct research in the design and synthesis of innovative polymer-based and nanoscale soft biomaterials for advanced therapeutic and drug delivery applications, including the analysis of detailed and complex qualitative and/or quantitative data from a variety of sources, and the generation of original ideas by building on existing concepts.

Characterise materials and evaluate their structure–property relationships using appropriate analytical and physicochemical techniques to optimise material performance.

Contribute to translation-focused optimisation, including in vitro evaluation, bio- and immunocompatibility, and scalability.

Selection Criteria

Hold, or be near to completion of, a PhD/DPhil in organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or related field.

Experience in one of the following areas: Polymer chemistry – design and synthesis of polymers using living or controlled polymerisation methods, and/or synthesis of small molecules required for polymer synthesis such as monomers, initiators, chain-transfer agents, cross-linkers or other functional polymerisation reagents; OR Small-molecule synthesis – synthesis of biologically active small molecules, therapeutically relevant molecules, stimuli-responsive systems, bioorganic compounds and/or biomolecules such as peptides, amino acids, and carbohydrates.

Experience in chemical characterisation techniques, for example gel permeation chromatography / size exclusion chromatography (GPC/SEC), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), optical spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, circular dichroism, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, chromatography, thermal analysis and/or microscopy.

Previous experience of contributing to publications/presentations, with a proven track record of first author publications in peer reviewed journals.

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 Monday 10 August 2026. Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 31st August 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.