Job Description

About the role

The Department of Physical Chemistry seeks to appoint a Director of Translational Research to provide strategic and operational leadership for the Robinson Lab's major collaborative programmes. The post is part-time (0.5 FTE) and fixed term for 12 months.

The appointment will be from 15 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The post holder will report directly to Professor Dame Carol Robinson, Founding Director of Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery and Dr Lee's Professor of Physical Chemistry.

The Robinson Lab combines methodological innovation in top-down native mass spectrometry with a strong focus on mechanistic insights that can be translated into biomedical applications. By keeping protein complexes in their native environment, the lab has pioneered approaches to identify lipids, post-translational modifications such as glycosylation, and interacting proteins with exceptional precision. A particular emphasis is placed on membrane proteins, which are both challenging to study and critically important as drug targets.

The successful candidate will define and drive translational research objectives, develop and execute workplans, and oversee budgets. You will supervise and delegate work to postdoctoral researchers and junior staff to ensure delivery of industry collaboration objectives. The post holder will publish and present research outputs from collaborative programmes at national and international level, while also building and maintaining strong relationships with external partners. In addition, the Director will contribute to the Department's wider academic mission, including publications and grant development.

Applicants should hold a PhD/DPhil in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Chemistry, or a related discipline, or have equivalent relevant experience. You must demonstrate post-qualification experience in translational research or research programme management, a strong understanding of protein biochemistry and mass spectrometry, and a proven ability to manage complex research programmes. A strong publication record, including collaborative and translational outputs, is essential. Experience liaising with legal/IP teams, publishing collaborative research findings, and contributing to successful grant applications is required.

Candidates must also demonstrate excellent leadership, organisational, and communication skills. Please see the job description for the full list of selection criteria.

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online, and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience.

The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on 4 September 2025. Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter.

The University of Oxford and The Department of Chemistry are Silver Athena SWAN holders. Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and ethnic minority candidates, who are under-represented in Chemistry research posts in Oxford.