Postdoctoral Research Assistant – Spatial Biology and Bioinformatics
University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences
Location: Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford OX3 7FY, United Kingdom
General Description
The University of Oxford seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Assistant with expertise in spatial biology and bioinformatics to join the Laboratory of Cell and Tissue Dynamics, within the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology. This interdisciplinary team, led by Dr Adrien Hallou, is engaged in cutting‑edge research at the intersection of computational biology and biomedical science. The successful candidate will contribute to a Royal Society‑funded project investigating the mechanical determinants of cell fate and tissue dynamics in lung regeneration and fibrosis. This pioneering work uses spatial mechanomics — an innovative approach capturing spatial changes in cell and tissue mechanics alongside gene and protein expression — applied to patient tissue samples and mouse models.
In this role, you will develop, implement, and maintain bioinformatics and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) pipelines for single‑cell and spatial multi‑omics data. You will perform advanced analysis of spatial multimodal datasets and collaborate with colleagues across partner institutions and research groups, contributing to high‑impact scientific outcomes. The University of Oxford offers a world‑class research environment, an inclusive culture, and a comprehensive range of staff benefits.
Eligibility Criteria
Hold a PhD or DPhil (or be near completion) in bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science, applied mathematics, physics, or a closely related discipline.
Demonstrable competence in programming with Python and R.
Proven experience in writing bioinformatics and AI/ML analysis pipelines for spatial transcriptomics and/or proteomics data and/or single‑cell genomics data.
Excellent communication skills and ability to work both independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research team.
Ability to mentor and advise group members and provide supervision to technical staff and research students.
Required Expertise/Skills
Strong background in spatial genomics, bioinformatics, and computational analysis of high‑dimensional biological data.
Experience with AI and machine learning approaches applied to biological datasets.
Ability to maintain robust, reproducible pipelines and deliver analyses that advance collaborative research objectives.
A track record of contributions to open‑source bioinformatics software (e.g., Bioconductor) and familiarity or interest in cell/tissue mechanobiology and biophysics are highly desirable.
Salary Details
£39,424 to £47,779 per year, pro rata.
Application Deadline
16 March 2026.