Senior Research Associate in Biotechnology

Department of Engineering Science, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PJ

We are seeking a full-time Senior Research Associate in Biotechnology to work with the groups of Prof Harrison Steel and Prof Antonis Papachristodoulou at the Department of Engineering Science in central Oxford. The post is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and is fixed-term for up to thirty six months with the possibility of extension.

This position is part of the recently funded EPSRC Programme Grant "EEBio: Efficient engineering and control of predictable and reliable biotechnologies", a collaboration between the universities of Oxford, Bristol, and Imperial College as well as more than two dozen industry and academic partners. The research project will develop new technologies underpinning Synthetic/Engineering Biology, with the goal of transforming the field to add reliability, robustness, and predictability throughout the biological design process. This will be addressed with a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach with the team developing new robotic and experimental hardware, software, wetware, and theory, with these "pillars" of the programme contributing solutions to three key application challenges in Biomedicine, Sustainability, and Agriculture. This fast-paced project will give the candidate the opportunity to develop new skills by working closely with our interdisciplinary team, and build their international profile including via work with our academic and SME collaborators.

This interdisciplinary project can benefit from the expertise of candidates from diverse backgrounds and can be fit into the larger programme strategy depending on the candidate's strengths and interests. As such applicants should hold a PhD/DPhil with experience in fields such as Bioengineering, Robotics and Automation, Synthetic Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related Biological/Engineering Sciences. You should have an interest in innovative problem solving, and working as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Only online applications received before midday on the 12th May 2025 can be considered. You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, that includes a brief statement of research interests (describing how past experience and future plans fit the advertised position), a CV, and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The Department holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

• Contact Person: Professor Harrison Steel


• Vacancy ID: 178920


• Contact Phone:


• Closing Date & Time: 12-May-2025 12:00


• Pay Scale: STANDARD GRADE 8


• Contact Email: harrison.steel@eng.ox.ac.uk


• Salary (£): Grade 8: £48,235 - £57,255 per annum (Inclusive of Oxford University weighting)

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We are seeking a full-time Senior Research Associate in Biotechnology to work with the groups of Prof Harrison Steel and Prof Antonis Papachristodoulou at the Department of Engineering Science in central Oxford. The post is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and is fixed-term for up to thirty six months with the possibility of extension.