Be at the heart of actionFly remote-controlled drones into enemy territory to gather vital information.

Apply Now

Postodctoral Research Assistant in Bioengineering

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

We are seeking a full-time PDRA to join Oxford Centre for Tissue Engineering and Bioprocessing (OCTEB) at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering of Department of Engineering Science (Headington). The post is funded by Medical Research Council and is fixed-term of 24 months with the possibility of extension.

The objectives of UK Brain BioLink are to respond to the MRCs/UKRIs call to conduct a pilot project that establishes proof-of-principle for a national, science- and technology-led infrastructure that facilitates rapid access to high-quality, well characterised human biosamples and data for translational and basic neuroscience research in line with the priorities of the MRC's Neurosciences and Mental Health Board. The project will allow researchers to share tissue samples and pool resources. This will ensure valuable samples get maximum use for maximum scientific benefit. You will be responsible for developing innovative tissue preservation methods for high quality live nervous system tissues and the distribution of them nationally. 

You will hold a PhD/Dphil or be near completion* in Biomaterials or Biochemical Engineering together with relevant experience in 3D cell/tissue culture, bioreactor design or perfusion culture systems and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in tissue preservation methods. The ability to manage own academic research and associated activities and an excellent track record in publishing in high impact journals is also required. You will be required 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. 
Tissue preservation, biomaterials, bioreactors, human nervous tissue, neuroscience

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.

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.

Why Biotechnology Careers in the UK Are Becoming More Multidisciplinary

Biotechnology once meant pipettes, lab benches & research reports. But in today’s UK job market, biotech careers are no longer confined to wet labs or sequencing centres. As the sector expands into gene therapies, synthetic biology, personalised medicine, agricultural biotech, and bioinformatics, professionals are expected to integrate not just biology & chemistry, but also law, ethics, psychology, linguistics & design. This change reflects a broader truth: biotechnology doesn’t happen in isolation. It impacts people’s health, the environment, food supply & society at large. That means careers in biotech now require more than scientific knowledge — they demand legal awareness, ethical reasoning, patient empathy, clear communication, and user-centred design. In this article, we’ll explore why biotech careers in the UK are becoming multidisciplinary, how law, ethics, psychology, linguistics & design are shaping job descriptions, and what job-seekers & employers need to do to succeed in this transformed landscape.

Biotechnology Team Structures Explained: Who Does What in a Modern Biotechnology Department

Biotechnology is a fast-moving, highly interdisciplinary sector that spans research, development, clinical trials, manufacturing, regulatory affairs, and commercialisation. In the UK, biotech firms, pharmaceutical companies, academic spin-outs, and contract research organisations (CROs) are collaborating more than ever, leading to the creation of complex teams with specialised roles. To deliver safe, effective, and compliant biotech products — whether diagnostics, biologics, gene therapies, environmental biotech, or agricultural innovations — it's vital to know who does what. This article will map out the structure of a modern biotech department. We’ll define the key roles, how they interact across the product lifecycle, what skills are required in the UK, typical career paths, salary expectations, and examples of how startups versus large firms organise themselves. Whether you are a hiring manager or a job seeker, this will help you understand the landscape of biotechnology jobs in the UK.