Developing next-generation delivery platforms for nucleic acid therapeutics University of Oxford in United Kingdom

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Wood Lab in the Department of Paediatrics as our Postdoctoral Researcher

This role is part of a larger interdisciplinary program focused on advancing precision medicines for inherited cardiomyopathies under the CureHeart initiative—a £30 million global award funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) The CureHeart programme brings together world-leading researchers from Oxford, Harvard, and other premier institutions to develop innovative gene-silencing and gene-editing technologies targeting the underlying causes of genetic heart diseases.

The successful candidate will work closely with chemists, molecular biologists, and clinicians to design and synthesize chemical conjugates for nucleic acid delivery. This will include linker chemistry, oligonucleotide modification, and bioconjugation to peptides, lipids, polymers, antibodies, or extracellular vesicles. The postholder will evaluate stability, specificity, and delivery efficacy of these conjugates in vitro and in vivo.

You will be working in a growing department within the Medical Sciences Division. The Department of Paediatrics is a world leader in child health research and hosts internationally renowned research programmes in drug development, gastroenterology, haematology, HIV, immunology, neuroimaging, neuromuscular diseases and vaccinology.

This position is offered full-time on a fixed-term contract initially for 12 months with the possibility to extend provided further external funding is available.

About the department

The Department of Paediatrics has been honoured with the Athena Swan Gold award, a national gender equality charter, recognising the Department's innovative policies and practices. We are committed to the professional development of our staff by providing up to ten paid days annually for skill enhancement and allowing applications for additional training funding. By joining us, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking department.

We welcome new staff with ideas who are willing to shape the future of the department that thinks about its staff and wellbeing. In addition to the University of Oxford

wellbeing resources

, the Department of Paediatrics sponsors weekly exercise classes such as yoga and bootcamp sessions as well as a choir. For staff on work visas, we also offer financial assistance towards visa renewal fees. These activities are designed to promote physical and mental wellbeing among staff members.

Please visit our

website

to find out more about the Department.

About you

The Wood Lab at the University of Oxford is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher with expertise in bioconjugate chemistry to develop next-generation delivery platforms for nucleic acid therapeutics.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a CV and Supporting Statement as part of your online application. The Supporting Statement should include a cover letter and should also clearly describe how you meet each of the selection criteria listed in the job description. Click

here

for information and advice on writing an effective Supporting Statement.

Diversity

The Department of Paediatrics is committed to equality and valuing diversity.

To discuss the post in more detail, please contact Dhanu Gupta, the Group Leader, using the contact details below.

Only online applications received before 12.00 midday on 31 October 2025 will be considered. Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter.

The Department of Paediatrics offers an Interview Expense Reimbursement Policy in its efforts towards equality, diversity and inclusion. Should you be invited to interview, we will share further information about the policy at that stage.