Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Chemical Synthesis, University of Oxford, UK

Summary

The University of Oxford is seeking two Postdoctoral Research Assistants to join Professor Dame Molly Stevens’s laboratory at the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, affiliated with the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG) and the Department of Engineering Science. Operating at the intersection of materials science, chemistry, bioengineering, and biology, these roles focus on designing and synthesizing innovative polymer-based and nanoscale soft biomaterials for advanced therapeutic and drug delivery

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Chemical Synthesis for Advanced Therapeutics, University of Oxford, UKapplications.

Designation

Postdoctoral Research Scientist / Assistant

Job Overview Table

Research Area

• Biomaterials & Drug Delivery: Design, synthesis, and characterization of nanoscale soft biomaterials for therapeutic delivery.
• Synthetic Chemistry: Polymer chemistry (living/controlled polymerization) and small-molecule synthesis (biomolecules, stimuli-responsive systems, active pharmaceutical reagents).

Location

Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building

Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics

Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery

South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, United Kingdom

Eligibility & Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

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

Required Skills & Experience

• Chemical Synthesis (in at least one of the following):
  • Polymer Chemistry: Design and synthesis of polymers using living or controlled polymerization methods, and/or synthesis of key functional reagents (monomers, initiators, chain-transfer agents, cross-linkers).
  • Small-Molecule Synthesis: Synthesis of biologically active small molecules, therapeutically relevant compounds, stimuli-responsive systems, or biomolecules (peptides, amino acids, carbohydrates).
• Analytical Characterization: Proficiency in techniques such as GPC/SEC, NMR, MS, HPLC, UV–Vis, circular dichroism, IR/Raman spectroscopy, thermal analysis, or microscopy.
• Publication Record: A strong track record of first-author publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and contributions to conference presentations.

Job Description & Key Responsibilities

• Research & Development: Formulate research questions and execute synthetic strategies for polymer-based and nanoscale biomaterials aimed at drug delivery applications.
• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Analyze complex qualitative and quantitative data to extract insights and generate original scientific concepts.
• Physicochemical Evaluation: Characterize structural and chemical properties to establish structure–property relationships and optimize biomaterial performance.
• Translational Optimization: Participate in downstream testing, including in vitro evaluations, bio- and immunocompatibility assessments, and scalability studies.
• Collaborative Work: Work closely within an interdisciplinary environment across materials science, bioengineering, and life science domains.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online via the University of Oxford Job Portal.

Application Requirements:

1. Supporting Statement: Detailing how your experience meets each selection criterion.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV).
3. Referees: Names and contact details of two academic/professional referees.

Informal Enquiries: Contact the DPAG HR Team at hr@dpag.ox.ac.uk.

Last Date for Apply

• Closing Date: Monday, 10 August 2026 at 12:00 PM (noon) UK Time
• Interviews: Scheduled for the week starting 31 August 2026 via Microsoft Teams.

Link