Job Description

Research Assistant

Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT

Contract & job type: Fixed-term for 24 months

About us:

At the Department of Physiology Anatomy & Genetics (DPAG) we undertake discovery science where we reassemble physiological processes at the molecular, cellular, tissue and systems level of organisation. In so doing we provide a bridge to translational medicine, and interface between physical and life sciences. We are committed not only to innovative research and the highest standard of teaching, but also to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment.

Overview of the role:

Reporting to the Professor Ana Domingos, the research assistant will be a member of the Domingo's group with responsibility for technically facilitating the laboratory while academically contributing to multiple large research projects in the topic of the "role of sympathetic neural networks in the neurobiological basis of obesity".
The research assistant will make technical and academic contributions to one or more of the following projects:
1: "Role of presynaptic ?2-adrenergic receptor in neuro-adipose crosstalk".
2: "Understanding obesity induced sympathetic neuropathy by developing tangible in-vitro systems".

Key responsibilities:

Autonomy in equally managing timeline of own research and technical activities, within guidelines/deadlines provided by senior colleagues.

Contribute to wider project planning including creation of novel technical and academic plans to support research projects

Determine the most appropriate methodologies to test hypotheses, and identify suitable alternatives if technical problems arise

Select, follow, and adapt experimental protocols

Gather, analyse, and present scientific data from a variety of sources

Contribute to scientific reports and journal articles and the presentation of data/papers at lab meeting or conferences

Use specialist scientific equipment in a laboratory environment

You will be responsible for managing a scientific process and maintaining quality control.

Contribute to discussions and share research findings with colleagues within laboratory or Oxford or in partner institutions, and research groups

Ability to work flexible working hours to meet experimental needs of the laboratory with the option of working from home.

Selection criteria:

Hold, or be close to completion of, a bachelor's degree, together with relevant undergraduate project(s) or placements(s)

Ability to build close working relationships with pre-existing graduate students / post-docs to integrate seamlessly within pre-existing research projects.

Possess sufficient knowledge in the discipline of physiology to work within established research programmes.

Ability to own equally split time between research and technical activities to meet competing deadlines.

Excellent communication skills demonstrated at lab meetings, that could be applied to writing text that can be published, present data at conferences, and represent the research group at meetings

Experience of following and adapting protocols and selecting appropriate experimental methodologies

Evidence of non-scientific extra-curricular/volunteering activities and achievements that can validate the candidate's soft skills.

Familiarity with the basic scientific rationale of multiple research project within the group

Commitment to engaging with, and promoting awareness of, equality, diversity and inclusion and embedding these into your work.

What we offer:

Your wellbeing at work matters, so we offer a range of family friendly and financial benefits including:
Hybrid working

An excellent contributory pension scheme

38 days annual leave

A comprehensive range of childcare services

Family leave schemes

Cycle and electric car loan schemes

Employee Assistance Programme

Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

How to apply:

Please provide a supporting statement outlining how you meet the selection criteria along with your CV, and the details of two referees as part of your online application.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 14/11/2025.
Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 01/12/2025.
Applications are particularly welcome from women, black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford.

Follow us:

Stay connected with us on LinkedIn, Bluesky and Instagram to learn more about our work and culture. Informal enquiries about the role may be directed to the DPAG HR Team: hr@dpag.ox.ac.uk

DPAG's Statement of Inclusion:

We, as a Department and Community, will be considerate and welcoming of all people, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socio-economic background. We acknowledge societal inequalities and how these impact us, and those around us, personally and professionally. Our policies, practices and Respectful Behaviours Framework underpin this commitment.

DPAG and Sustainability

We have signed up to The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) and Green Impact, actively implementing and encouraging eco-friendly practices that reduce waste, promote energy efficiency, and promote bio-diversity. See the job description for more detail.