Senior Microbiologist in Oxford

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Oxford Vaccine Group as part of the Correlates of Immunity - Artificial Intelligence (CoI-AI) Programme, a pioneering initiative that integrates human challenge models, advanced microbiology, and artificial intelligence to accelerate vaccine discovery.

The Senior Microbiologist will provide scientific leadership across the programme's microbiology activities, encompassing multiple bacterial pathogens including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Group A Streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The successful candidate will lead the design, execution, and interpretation of microbiological studies, ensuring the highest standards of scientific quality, innovation, and regulatory compliance.

You will oversee laboratory strategy and operations, direct the preparation of challenge agent stocks, and ensure rigorous adherence to Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCP). You will also contribute to the development and implementation of new microbiological assays and analytical approaches to support translational research and AI-based discovery. Working closely with the Senior Immunologist of the Programme, you will ensure that all laboratory outputs are harmonised, validated, and suitable for integrated analysis.

You will be working in a growing department within the Medical Sciences Division. The Department of Paediatrics is a world leader in child health research and hosts internationally renowned research programmes in drug development, gastroenterology, haematology, HIV, immunology, neuroimaging, neuromuscular diseases and vaccinology. The Oxford Vaccine Group is a world-leading academic research group conducting clinical and translational studies to advance vaccine development working with a diverse portfolio funded by industry, government and charitable organisations.

This position is offered full‑time on a fixed‑term contract initially for 4 years with the possibility to extend provided further external funding is available.

The Department of Paediatrics has been honoured with the Athena Swan Gold award, a national gender equality charter, recognising the Department's innovative policies and practices. We are committed to the professional development of our staff by providing up to ten paid days annually for skill enhancement and allowing applications for additional training funding. By joining us, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a forward‑thinking department.

We welcome new staff with ideas who are willing to shape the future of the department that thinks about its staff and wellbeing. In addition to the University of Oxford wellbeing resources, the Department of Paediatrics sponsors weekly exercise classes such as yoga and bootcamp sessions as well as a choir. For staff on work visas, we also offer financial assistance towards visa renewal fees. These activities are designed to promote physical and mental wellbeing among staff members.

You will hold a PhD/DPhil in Microbiology or a related discipline, with substantial post‑qualification experience. You will demonstrate extensive expertise in microbiology of disease‑relevant pathogens and advanced microbiological methods, along with proven experience of leading laboratory teams and managing complex research projects. Evidence of high‑impact publications and translational or clinical research experience (ideally within a GCP framework) is essential.