Magdalen College proposes to appoint two Postdoctoral Researchers in its Calleva Research Centre to work on the project The deadly enigma of melioidosis: Decoding the pathogenesis of Burkholderia pseudomallei. The post will commence on 1 October 2026 and will be for three years.
The Calleva Centre at Magdalen College
Magdalen College, one of thirty-eight colleges within the University of Oxford, carries out research and teaching in the full range of science, social science and humanities subjects. It has several Fellows working on evolutionary biology, genetics, disease forecasting and plant sciences. For further information on the College see www.magd.ox.ac.uk.
The College’s Calleva Research Centre was inaugurated in October 2010. Its aims are to investigate key questions about the origins, development, causes and functions of human behaviour as well as grand challenges faced by humanity and bridges the humanities, social, cognitive and biological sciences within a broad framework. The Centre’s work is embodied through successive fixed-term interdisciplinary research programmes that draw on unique collaborations between Magdalen Fellows working in these diverse fields.
Details of the research programme
This project falls under the Calleva Research Centre’s interest in addressing the threat posed to humanity by bacterial infections. Each postholder will lead defined and complementary components of this collaborative, multidisciplinary programme. The overall aim is to provide new mechanistic insight on the virulence mechanisms of Burkholderia pseudomallei and related species. Specific aims include the investigation of uncharacterised virulence factors and the analysis of host factors that influence the outcome of infection. The project, led by Dr Thurston (Fellow at Magdalen College, University of Oxford, https://thurstonlab.com/) includes collaborative efforts with Professor Dunachie (University of Oxford) on virulence factor antibody and T-cell immunogenicity, Dr Kronsteiner-Dobramysl (University of Oxford) on the impact of diabetes and the integration of new genomics data emerging from Dr Chewapreecha (the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok). The postholders may spend time in the collaborators’ laboratory. For this reason, an interest and ability to work collaboratively is important.
Postholders will deliver rigorous and innovative experimental research and contribute intellectually to programme development. It is expected that the postholders will produce robust, reproducible and publishable findings. Postdocs will benefit from the opportunity to work together with collaborators and will be encouraged to broaden connections across academia.
The appointed postdocs will join the Thurston Group, which uses a combination of molecular cell biology, biochemistry and structural biology to study the virulence mechanisms of intracellular pathogens. Thurston has a strong record of training and nurturing laboratory members, and this is facilitated by her membership to the EMBO Young Investigator Programme. In addition to joining the Calleva Research Centre, the postholders will be part of a stimulating, interdisciplinary research environment at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, which focuses on the molecular mechanisms of human disease.
Key Responsibilities
Post A
We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher who wishes to investigate uncharacterised virulence factors of Burkholderia pseudomallei. The postholder will integrate bioinformatics, biochemistry, immunology and structural biology to investigate the bacterial drivers of pathogenesis from the atomic to physiological level.
Post B
For this post, we seek a driven Postdoctoral Researcher who wishes to use bioinformatics, mammalian genetics and cell & molecular biology to understand the host immune responses that restrict Burkholderia.
You will:
- Manage own academic research and administrative activities related to the project, including small-scale project management, and co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines. You will use your initiative to drive the research forward in a rigorous, efficient and timely manner.
- Select, design, optimise and follow experimental protocols, including the development and implementation of new protocols.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues from within and outside the group.
- Write up experimental results, methodology and interpretation which will contribute to reports and publications when required.
- Maintain a record of your findings and a lab database of reagents created.
- Always ensure rigor, protect the validity and reliability of the data and comply with data management principles.
- Assist with inductions and training of colleagues or students and act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group.
- Prepare findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals and for presentations at conferences, meetings and for public engagement.
- Represent the research group at project meetings, seminars, conferences either alone or as a group.
- Actively read the scientific literature relating to (and around) the project.
- Co-supervise, with Dr Thurston, undergraduate or graduate project students within the laboratory.
- Undertake mandatory training as required by the University, Division and Department. The specific list of training courses may change from time-to-time, in response to both legal and internal University requirements.
- Demonstrate an ability to follow departmental and group guidance in handling microorganisms.
- Participate in writing and reviewing health and safety documentation relevant to the undertaken work.
- Undertaking any other tasks, duties, and responsibilities not listed above which can reasonably be expected to be performed or undertaken by a Postdoctoral Research Associate, as required by the Primary Investigator.
The location of the job will be in Oxford. The appointed Postdoctoral Researchers will be based in the Thurston laboratory, at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Required (for both Posts):
- Candidates should hold, or be close to completion of, a PhD/DPhil in biological sciences.
- Expertise in microbiology
- Strong expertise in diverse laboratory techniques including cell culture, molecular biology, flow cytometry and immunoblotting
- Strong understanding of disease pathology and cell biology underlying bacterial infections
- A demonstrated ability to analyse, interpret, present and publish complex biological data in reputable journals
- Evidence of independently managing a discrete research project
- Evidence of a collaborative work approach and commitment to a team approach
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, including to non-specialist audiences.
- Excellent record keeping
Desirable:
Both posts:
- Experience in innate immunity / immunology
- Experience in bioinformatics
- Proficiency in handling class II and/or III microorganisms
- Experience in bacterial genetics
Post A:
- Experience with structural biology
- Experience in protein purification and biochemistry
Post B:
- Proficiency with microscopy
- Experience with CRISPR-cas9 and genetic screens
- Experience with proteomics
Benefits
The appointments will be made on Grade 7.4 of the Unified College Pay Scale, currently £41,064 per annum, plus £1,730 per annum Oxford Location Allowance.
The posts carry an entitlement to join, or to remain a member of, the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). The posts also come with membership of the Senior Common Room at Magdalen, with five free lunches and/or dinners in College per week when College is open. There is free use of sports facilities.
The posts carry an entitlement to join, or to remain a member of, the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). The posts also come with membership of the Senior Common Room at Magdalen, with five free lunches and/or dinners in College per week when College is open. There is free use of sports facilities.
All employees of the College are entitled to the College’s enhanced benefits for Maternity, Adoption, Shared Parental and Paternity Leave from day one of employment with no qualifying period. The College provides for maternity leave on a basis that exceeds the statutory provisions: women are eligible for 26 weeks’ maternity leave on full pay, followed by 13 weeks of leave on Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) and 13 weeks of unpaid maternity leave. Similar arrangements are available for Adoption Leave and Shared Parental Leave. Paternity Leave is also available. Magdalen College has a priority claim on four places in the University nurseries.
Application procedure
To apply for this position, please click the 'Apply Now' button.
The closing date is Sunday 07 June 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Interviews are expected to be held on the 25 and 29 June 2026.
Following the initial offer of the position, appointment will be subject to proof of the right to work in the UK and the candidate’s highest qualification achieved evidenced by the original degree certificate.
If the chosen candidate requires a UK visa, HR and the University Staff Immigration Team will discuss visa routes and will provide advice and assistance with an application. If the person appointed to the post is a migrant sponsored under the UK's points-based migration system, we are required to retain the applications for all shortlisted candidates until six months after we have ceased sponsoring the migrant in question.
If the chosen candidate requires any workplace adjustments, this would be brought to the attention of Human Resources through completion of a new starter Occupational Health Services Declaration.
Applications are encouraged from candidates from all countries and all universities. Applications are particularly welcome from women and from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford. Magdalen College is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
