Dhanu Gupta

The Wood Lab in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Oxford is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher to join an interdisciplinary team advancing precision medicines for inherited cardiomyopathies as part of the CureHeart initiative. This global programme, funded by a £30 million award from the British Heart Foundation, unites leading researchers from Oxford, Harvard, and other top institutions to develop innovative gene-silencing and gene-editing technologies targeting the root causes of genetic heart diseases. The successful candidate will collaborate with chemists, molecular biologists, and clinicians to design and synthesize chemical conjugates for nucleic acid delivery, including linker chemistry, oligonucleotide modification, and bioconjugation to peptides, lipids, polymers, antibodies, or extracellular vesicles. Responsibilities include evaluating the stability, specificity, and delivery efficacy of these conjugates in both in vitro and in vivo settings. The Department of Paediatrics is internationally recognized for its research in child health, drug development, gastroenterology, haematology, HIV, immunology, neuroimaging, neuromuscular diseases, and vaccinology. The department is committed to staff development, offering paid skill enhancement days, training funding, and wellbeing resources such as exercise classes and choir. Financial assistance for visa renewal is available for staff on work visas. The position is full-time, initially for 12 months, with the possibility of extension pending further funding. Applicants should have a PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related field, with expertise in bioconjugate chemistry and experience in nucleic acid delivery platforms. Applications must be submitted online, including a CV and a Supporting Statement that addresses all selection criteria. The department values diversity and offers interview expense reimbursement. For more information, candidates may contact Dhanu Gupta, Group Leader.