Louise Johnson Associate Professorship of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Overview

The Department of Biochemistry at the University of Oxford invites applications for the Louise Johnson Associate Professorship of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. This position recognises Professor Louise Johnson’s pioneering research and her mentorship of women and other underrepresented scientists in the field. The successful candidate will join a vibrant, collaborative, and internationally diverse academic community within the Department and pursue an innovative and independent research programme addressing fundamental questions in molecular and cellular biology.

Depending on the research focus, the appointee will join one of the department’s interdisciplinary research themes that apply biochemical, biophysical, and computational approaches to challenges in cell and developmental biology, genetics, microbiology, human health, and infectious disease processes.

The post holder will have access to high-quality laboratory and office space in the Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, with state-of-the-art facilities in imaging, structural biology, and biochemical research. The University is committed to mentoring and career development at all career stages and provides extensive training programmes for doctoral researchers and early-career scientists.

The successful candidate will contribute to teaching and training students in the Department of Biochemistry, including teaching on the four-year Master’s-level degree programme in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry and serving as a Tutorial Fellow at Trinity College. The role also involves contributing to departmental and college academic activities and helping maintain a supportive, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating research and teaching environment.

Applications are particularly encouraged from early- or mid-career researchers who are already leading, or have the clear potential to lead, innovative and independent research programmes. The University actively welcomes applications from women, ethnic minority groups, and individuals from other backgrounds underrepresented in academic positions at the institution.

• Lead an independent research programme and contribute to the department’s research themes using biochemical, biophysical, and computational approaches.
• Teach and train students in the Department of Biochemistry, including the four-year Master’s programme in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry and involvement in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and mentoring.
• Contribute to departmental and college academic activities and help maintain a supportive, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating environment.
• Engage in administrative and outreach responsibilities of the department and college, including widening access to higher education.

• Hold a doctoral degree (DPhil/PhD) in a relevant biologically related discipline and have appropriate postdoctoral research experience.
• Demonstrate an internationally recognised research record or clear potential to achieve international recognition through impactful publications.
• Show the ability to establish and lead an independent research programme, secure competitive research funding, and contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
• Commit to fostering an ethical, inclusive, and collaborative research culture; willing to contribute to administrative and outreach responsibilities of the department and college.
• Demonstrate willingness to contribute to widening access initiatives and to the department/college administration and outreach activities.

• Expertise in molecular and cellular biochemistry or related areas of biological science
• Ability to develop and lead an innovative, independent research programme
• Strong record of high-quality research publications or clear potential to achieve international recognition
• Capacity to obtain and manage research funding
• Experience or commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills suitable for academic collaboration and teaching
• Ability to supervise students and contribute to training and professional development
• Commitment to fostering inclusive and ethical research practices
• Willingness to contribute to departmental and college administration, outreach, and widening access initiatives

Combined University and College salary on a scale from £52,815 to £70,918 per annum, increasing each year to the top of the scale, plus additional college allowances where applicable.

12:00 noon on Monday, 20 April 2026