Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Bioconjugation Chemistry

We are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join Professor Dame Molly Stevens’s laboratory at the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford. The Stevens Group is based within the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics and is also affiliated with the Institute of Biomedical Engineering. We are looking for a talented bioconjugation chemist with broad expertise in the design and application of biomolecule ligation strategies for sensing and therapeutic applications.   The post holder will develop new chemical approaches for the site-specific labelling of biomolecules (such as proteins and peptides) to be integrated with next-generation sensing mechanisms. The role is highly multidisciplinary involving collaboration with researchers working within the fields of biochemistry, bioengineering, material science and biology. Successful candidates will engage with researchers both within the lab and across partner institutions, requiring strong organizational abilities and project management expertise to navigate complex, multi-team projects. The post-holder will be active within a vibrant and multidisciplinary environment comprising multiple research strands in fundamental and applied bionanoscience. Based at Prof. Molly Stevens’ group, the post will involve collaborations with other internationally recognised biomaterials and nanomaterials research groups. The Stevens Group has received numerous awards for outstanding biomaterials related research (www.stevensgroup.org) and comprises a diverse and multidisciplinary group of postdoctoral researchers and postgraduate students. We are looking for a talented scientist who is a confident self-starter and a collaborative team member with impeccable work ethics.   Responsibilities

• Design and implement new ligation methods for protein labelling applications, including sensing and therapeutics. • Carry out reagent synthesis for designed approaches.
• Perform bioconjugation reactions and subsequent characterisation and analysis with biomolecules (e.g., proteins and peptides).
• Establish cross-disciplinary protocols to incorporate the bioconjugation strategies into nextgeneration sensing and therapeutic applications with other members of the research team.
• Undertake the associated data analysis and interpretation, ensuring validity and reliability of data at all times.
• Help the other research staff in the daily management of the group laboratories.
• Liaise with the other research staff and students working in broad areas of relevance to the research project and partner institutions.
• Manage own academic research and administrative activities taking initiative in planning own research. This involves small scale project management, to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines.
• Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols.
• Test hypotheses and analyse scientific data from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining working hypotheses as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety (H&S) regulations and actively contribute to the development and implementation of best practices to promote a safe and efficient research environment.
• Contribute ideas for research projects across the group.
• Develop ideas for securing research funding, and present detailed research proposals to Prof. Stevens, management team and senior researchers.
• Collaborate in the preparation of scientific reports and journal articles and prepare material for presentation in oral and poster formats.
• Act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group on scientific protocols and experimental techniques.
• Represent the research group at external meetings/seminars, either with other members of the group or alone, for example by attending progress and management meetings as required and networking with the other research groups.
• Undertake instruction of PhD, masters and undergraduate students, as agreed.
• Prepare and deliver a small number of lectures and mark assessments, as agreed.

  Other Duties

• Participate in a regular Annual Review;
• Undertake any necessary training identified and continuing professional development in order to stay up-to-date professionally including annual Information Governance training;
• Comply with Health and safety regulations;
• Comply with the policies and procedures set out in the Handbook for University Support staff (or) Academic-Related staff;
• Any other duties that may be required from time to time commensurate with the grade of the job.