Senior Research Associate in Control Engineering / Engineering Biology at University of Oxford, UK

The Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford is inviting applications for a full-time Senior Research Associate in Control Engineering/Engineering Biology. This 36-month fixed-term post is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) under the programme grant “EEBio: Efficient engineering and control of predictable and reliable biotechnologies”.

Position Overview

Research Area & Project Context

This position is embedded within the research group led by Prof. Antonis Papachristodoulou as part of the multi-institution EPSRC Programme Grant EEBio. The initiative brings together researchers from the University of Oxford, University of Bristol, Imperial College London, and various industry partners.

The central aim of the EEBio project is to develop transformative technologies underpinning synthetic and engineering biology, embedding robustness, reliability, and predictability throughout the entire biological design and control cycle.

Job Description & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will lead and contribute to advanced research activities at the intersection of control engineering and engineering biology. Key duties include:

• Conducting research on mathematical modelling, feedback control, and system design for engineered biological systems.
• Collaborating closely with an interdisciplinary team comprising specialists in control engineering, robotics, synthetic biology, mathematics, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology.
• Interfacing and co-developing project milestones with partner research teams at Imperial College London and the University of Bristol.
• Publishing high-impact research papers and presenting findings at leading international conferences.
• Contributing to the supervision and mentoring of junior researchers and research students within the group.

Eligibility & Qualifications

Candidates applying for this role must demonstrate the following requirements:

• Education: A PhD/DPhil in Control Engineering, Bioengineering, Applied Mathematics, Computational Biology, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience: Demonstrated research experience at the intersection of control engineering, mathematical biology, and synthetic/engineering biology.
• Technical Skills: Strong computational, programming, and mathematical modelling capabilities.
• Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills with a track record of academic writing.
• Teamwork: Proven ability to work productively within a diverse, multi-institutional, and interdisciplinary research environment.

Benefits & Work Environment

The University of Oxford offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 38 days of annual leave (including public holidays and fixed university closure days).
• Generous pension scheme and extensive family-friendly leave policies.
• Free access to Oxford University colleges and membership of the University Club.
• Sustainable travel schemes, discounted sports centre memberships, and university childcare facilities.
• Extensive professional development and training opportunities.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the University of Oxford’s official recruitment portal. Your application package should include:

• A covering letter/supporting statement explaining how your experience meets the selection criteria.
• A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) including your publication record.
• Contact information for two academic referees.

For informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Prof. Antonis Papachristodoulou at antonis@eng.ox.ac.uk.

Important Links & Last Date to Apply

Last Date for Application: September 18, 2026 (12:00 Noon BST)

Apply Online via University of Oxford Official Vacancy Portal