Assay Development and Screening Team Leader

We are looking to appoint an Assay Development and Screening Team Leader to join the Alzheimer's Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute (ARUK-ODDI) at the Nuffield Department of Medicine.

The research is focused on molecular mechanisms underpinning innate immunity and organelle homeostasis, which have been revealed by human genetics studies to be hot-spots that harbour many risk alleles for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Reporting to the ODDI Head of Biology, Dr Emma Murphy, you will lead a research team specialising in assay development and screening technologies.

You will be responsible for operating and maintaining a team of assay and screening scientists employing state-of-the-art technology to develop assays required for large compound screens and lead optimisation, as well as to implement new technologies as appropriate to the group objectives. You will be responsible for maintaining a team deploying state-of-the-art technologies, providing day-to-day supervision for research assistants and postdoctoral research assistants employed within the team, and liaising with collaborating groups working together on the ODDI's drug discovery projects. You will also lead drug discovery projects, taking responsibility for constructing and executing a project plan in conjunction with other member of the ODDI and relevant academic or industrial collaborators.

To be successful in the role you will hold a relevant Ph.D/D.Phil. in biochemistry/biology/neuroscience with post-qualification research experience in early drug discovery, along with a strong record of delivery in the field of assay development and screening. Familiarity with the existing literature and research in the field is also required. You will have sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to independently develop research projects and methodologies, with evidence of practical successes in innovative assay development and troubleshooting, including the delivery of screens involving >10k compounds. You will also be able to independently plan and manage several parallel research projects including the supervision and management of team resources in support of multiple projects.

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience.

This position is offered full time on a fixed term contract until 30 April 2026 and is funded by the ARUK.