Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Engineering Biology

University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science
Oxford
1 year ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Senior Genomic Data Scientist - 2 Year FTC, Adult Population Genomics Programme (we have office locations in Cambridge, Leeds & London)

We are seeking a full-time PDRA to join Oxford Centre for Tissue Engineering and Bioprocessing (OCTEB) at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science (Headington). The post is funded by BBSRC and is fixed-term for two years.

This project is to develop simple cell (SimCell, non-dividing bacteria cell) based biocatalyst to transform waste from cultured meat process into essential amnio acids and growth factors to achieve a sustainable production. You will be responsible for developing a bioreactor system in which immobilised SimCells can feed on mammalian cell culture waste and produce necessary amino acids and growth factors for mammalian cells.

You will hold a PhD/Dphil or be near completion* in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering or a closely related field, together with relevant experience. Experience in designing bioreactors for mammalian cell culture and sufficient specialist knowledge in the cell encapsulation/immobilisation is also required. You will have the ability to manage own academic research and associated activities with an excellent publication record commensurable to the career stage and the ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation.



For more information about working at the Department, see


Only online applications received before midday on19th April 2024can be considered. You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, including a brief statement of research interests (describing how past experience and future plans fit with the advertised position), 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.
Cell cultured meat, bioreactors, biomaterials for cell immobilisation, SimCells, Engineering biology

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Neurodiversity in Biotech Careers: Turning Different Thinking into a Superpower

Biotechnology is all about solving complex problems that affect real lives – from new medicines & vaccines to sustainable materials, diagnostics & gene therapies. To tackle those challenges, the sector needs people who think differently. That is exactly where neurodivergent talent comes in. If you have ADHD, autism, dyslexia or another form of neurodivergence, you might have been told that your brain is “too much”, “too distracted” or “too literal” for a lab or scientific career. In reality, many of the traits that come with ADHD, autism & dyslexia are perfectly suited to biotech work – from spotting subtle patterns in experimental data to creative thinking around new solutions. This guide is written for biotechnology job seekers in the UK. We will explore: What neurodiversity means in a biotech context How ADHD, autism & dyslexia strengths map onto specific biotech roles Practical workplace adjustments you can ask for under UK law How to talk about your neurodivergence in applications & interviews By the end, you will have a clearer idea of where you might thrive in biotech – & how to set up your working environment so your differences become genuine superpowers.

Biotechnology Hiring Trends 2026: What to Watch Out For (For Job Seekers & Recruiters)

As we move into 2026, the biotechnology jobs market in the UK is going through rapid change. Funding cycles are tighter, some organisations are restructuring or consolidating, & yet demand for specialist biotech skills remains strong – particularly in areas like cell & gene therapy, bioprocessing, mRNA platforms, bioinformatics & regulatory affairs. New therapies are coming through the pipeline, advanced manufacturing facilities are scaling up, & digital tools are transforming lab & clinical workflows. At the same time, some roles are being automated, outsourcing patterns are shifting, & hiring standards are rising. Whether you are a biotech job seeker planning your next move, or a recruiter trying to build teams in a complex market, understanding the key biotechnology hiring trends for 2026 will help you stay ahead.

Biotechnology Recruitment Trends 2025 (UK): What Job Seekers Must Know About Today’s Hiring Process

Summary: UK biotechnology hiring has shifted from title-led CV screens to capability-driven assessments that emphasise validated lab results, documentation, GxP/QA/RA awareness, data literacy, digital biology tools & measurable impact from bench to bedside. This guide explains what’s changed, what to expect in interviews & how to prepare—especially for wet-lab scientists, bioprocess/CMC engineers, QC/QA specialists, RA/clinical professionals, bioinformatics/data scientists & platform engineers. Who this is for: Biologists, biochemists, biotechnologists, cell & gene therapy scientists, upstream/downstream processing engineers, QA/QC analysts, validation engineers, regulatory affairs specialists, clinical trial professionals, bioinformaticians, data scientists & biotech product/operations managers targeting roles in the UK.