Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Nanomedicine formulation for drug delivery and advanced nucleic-acid based therapeutics Part-time

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Nanomedicine Formulation for Drug Delivery and Advanced Nucleic-Acid Based Therapeutics

We are seeking to appoint a postdoctoral research scientist to join Professor Dame Molly Stevens's lab at the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery and the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics. 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 ideal candidate will have broad expertise on formulation and physicochemical and biological evaluation of nanoparticle carriers for nucleic acid and small molecule therapeutic delivery. This post is available immediately for a fixed-term of 18 months or until 30 November 2028 (whichever is soonest), with the possibility of part-time appointments being considered.

Key responsibilities include:

• Design and optimise lipid and polymer nanoparticle-based nucleic acid or small molecule delivery systems.
• Perform formulation characterisation and stability studies.
• Conduct in vitro delivery and functional assays.
• Contribute to translation-focused optimisation.
• Undertake the associated data analysis and interpretation.
• Manage your own research activities.
• Actively participate in the multidisciplinary environment of the Stevens Group and collaborate with external research groups.

Selection criteria include:

• Hold, or be near to completion of, a PhD/DPhil in bioengineering, biomedical sciences, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or related field.
• Experience in formulation of lipid or polymer nanoparticle systems for nucleic acid or small molecule delivery.
• Experience in an array of nanoparticle characterisation techniques.
• Strong understanding of structure–function relationships in therapeutic delivery systems.
• Proven experience in cell-based transfection assays and delivery evaluation.
• Previous experience of contributing to publications/presentations, with a proven track record of first author publications in peer reviewed journals.

What we offer:

• 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.

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 Tuesday 19 May 2026. Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 01 June, 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.