Job Description

Contract & job type: Full-time, Fixed-term for 18 months

About us:

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 a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join Professor Dame Molly Stevens's lab at the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery. We are looking for a talented bioengineer with broad expertise on the design and fabrication of bioactive surfaces for biosensing applications. The post-holder will develop next-generation multiplexed sensing platforms as an effective route to establishing personalised, user-centred diagnostics. The successful candidate will optimise nanostructured biosensing surfaces, investigate their recognition and binding capacities, and evaluate them for use in biosensing applications. This multi-disciplinary research requires knowledge of surface chemistry and characterisation, materials chemistry and Raman spectroscopy, as well as strong communication, organisational, and project management skills to work effectively across disciplines and institutions.

The Stevens Group is based at the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics and is also affiliated with the Institute of Biomedical Engineering. We are a multidisciplinary and diverse team with an active commitment to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive environment for all researchers.

This post is available from August 2025 for a fixed-term of 18 months, with the possibility of part-time appointments being considered.

Key responsibilities:

Develop and optimise surface chemistries for biomolecular detection of biomarker targets, developing novel bioconjugation strategies.

Establish hyperspectral data acquisition methodologies for Raman-spectroscopy based analysis of complex biofluids.

Establish cross-disciplinary protocols to incorporate the materials into biomedical applications in

collaboration with other members of the research team.
Undertake the associated data analysis and interpretation, ensuring validity and reliability of data

at all time, including either developing or liaising with others to use chemometrics, ML/AI algorithms and/or multivariate analysis.

Manage your own research activities, including administrative tasks associated with the project.

Actively participate in the multidisciplinary environment of the Stevens Group and collaborate with external research groups.

Selection criteria:

Hold, or be near to completion of, a PhD/DPhil in chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, or

related field.
Experience in surface chemistry design for biosensing and disease diagnostic applications.

Experience in Raman spectroscopy for point-of-care biosensing applications.

Experience in nanomaterial and chemical-based surface characterisation techniques, such as XPS, AFM, electron microscopy, Raman microspectroscopy, etc.

Previous experience of contributing to publications/presentations, with a proven track record of

first author publications in peer reviewed journals.
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research

proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings.
Ability to manage own academic research and associated activities.

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 12th May.
Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 26th May, 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.

Follow us:

Stay connected with us on LinkedIn, X and Instagram to learn more about our work and culture. Informal enquiries about the role may be directed to the DPAG HR Team: hr@dpag.ox.ac.uk

DPAG's Statement of Inclusion:

We, as a Department and Community, will be considerate and welcoming of all people, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socio-economic background. We acknowledge societal inequalities and how these impact us, and those around us, personally and professionally. Our policies, practices and Respectful Behaviours Framework underpin this commitment.