Research Assistant – VLP Vaccine Development Part-time NEW

Research Assistant – VLP Vaccine Development

We are seeking to appoint a Research Assistant in VLP Vaccine Development to work with Associate Professor Sandy Douglas' group at the Jenner Institute, Old Road Campus Research Building, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7DQ. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a team of scientists developing vaccines and vaccine platforms, as well as advancing knowledge on a range of infections. The scope of the Douglas group's work covers pre-clinical development, vaccine manufacturing and clinical trial, and adenovirus genetic engineering. You will be mainly focused on manufacturing: the researcher will receive training and contribute to multiple projects on viral vaccine manufacturing and analytical assay development, particularly within a project on VLP vaccine platforms and EBV.

You will have responsibility for producing high quality data using a range of modern laboratory techniques, such as cell culture, recombinant protein production and purification, flow cytometry and analytical size exclusion chromatography. You will develop your skills in experimental design, planning and analysis, while making a meaningful contribution to global health through developing new vaccines. You will be based at the Jenner Institute, Old Road Campus Research Building, Headington. You will have the opportunity to develop a diverse range of knowledge and skills. You will develop your career with mentoring from a senior team comprising Associate Prof. Sandy Douglas (the Group Leader), Dr Catherine Cherry (day-to-day supervisor), and members of the research team.

The post would be particularly suited if you are enthusiastic about pursuing graduate studies in medical science, as the exposure to a range of projects and techniques will provide rich development opportunities.

It is essential that you hold a MSc degree in biological science, biochemistry or a related discipline. Practical experience of biology, medical science or similar laboratory work is a must. You must have knowledge of vaccinology, infectious disease and molecular biology. It is essential that you have experience of mammalian cell culture, recombinant protein production, ELISAs, size exclusion chromatography and viral neutralisation assays. Ability to work within established research programmes, with the potential to contribute ideas for new and improved experiments is a must.

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 for 9 months and is funded by SpyBiotech. Only applications received before 12 midday on Wednesday, 28 October 2026 will be considered. Please quote 189312 on all correspondence.