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- Tasks: Develop novel computational methods in biology and collaborate on exciting experimental projects.
- Company: University of Reading, a leader in research and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the field of computational biology and platelet research.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and experience in computational modelling.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusion and groundbreaking research.
The predicted salary is between 43482 - 46049 ÂŁ per year.
Overview
Organisation/Company UNIVERSITY OF READING
Research Field Biological sciences Physics
Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3)
Country United Kingdom
Application Deadline 10 Oct 2025 – 00:00 (UTC)
Type of Contract Other
Job Status Full-time
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Salary and Conditions
Salary: £43482 – £46049 per annum
Department: School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences
Location: Whiteknights Reading UK
Contract: Full Time, Fixed Term (31/07/2028)
Job reference: SRF51665
Eligibility and Sponsorship
By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants wishing to consider the SWR must ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement before applying. Successful candidates not already holding a Skilled Worker visa issued before 22nd July 2025 will need to have a relevant PhD qualification or qualify as a new entrant before being able to be sponsored. There is further information about visas on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.
Role and Project
This exciting position in computational biology combines the development of novel computational methods involving control theory with practical systems modelling, simulation, and data analysis, applied first and foremost to the field of platelet biology and haemostasis. The postholder will play a key role in a project that will develop novel computational means for the objective evaluation of purpose in biology. These theoretical efforts are paired with a bespoke experimental programme focusing on cell communication and coordination, which innovatively considers thrombi as “transient tissues”.
For this multidisciplinary project, we are looking for a highly motivated computational biologist who holds a PhD in a relevant field with a commensurate publication record. We welcome applications from candidates that have acquired their skills in technical fields like physics, engineering, applied mathematics, or computer science, as long as they have had prior experience in applying these skills to biology or allied fields, like neuroscience and medicine. However, candidates without prior exposure to cell biology, and specifically platelet biology and haemostasis, are expected to rapidly acquire the necessary domain knowledge and be interested in building a career in the field.
The postholder will work closely with the experimental team in the School of Biological Sciences and the Reading School of Pharmacy, which will include a second PDRA starting on the project at the same time. Strong communication skills and an ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment are hence essential. Additional outreach and dissemination strategies are integrated into the project (e.g., video blogs and academic workshops) and the post holder will be expected to support these activities.
Candidate Profile
- a PhD in an area relevant to the project, like biology, physics, applied mathematics
- previous experience with computational modelling, method development, and numerical analysis applied to biology (or allied fields like neuroscience and medicine)
- the ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team
- a publication record and experience of presenting at conferences
- knowledge of, or willingness to rapidly learn about, cell biology in general and platelet biology and haemostasis in particular
Context and Outreach
Scientific context: Purpose is fundamental to our existence, from everyday aims to grand questions about life. However, animals also have goals they pursue; plants grow towards the light, and even bacteria move away from acid. Goal-directed behaviour is evident in all living things. Yet the way biologists talk about purpose remains at a conceptual or narrative level. This stands in marked contrast to biological mechanisms which are addressed directly, empirically, and statistically. The reason is that we know how to test hypotheses about mechanisms but no similar method currently exists for purpose. Our goal is to create “purpose fitting”, a way of evaluating hypotheses about purpose with empirical data and statistics. This will add a new standard of statistical analysis and ultimately change the role of purpose in biology. Our accompanying experimental programme in platelet biology and hemostasis, while designed to scaffold this computational development, also has its own research goal. Our experimenters are pioneers in considering thrombi as transient tissues rather than as a collection of individual cells; and we have an exciting experimental programme that systematically investigates how platelet communication and coordination help to protect mammals from blood loss.
Contact
Contact Name: Prof Ingo Bojak
Contact Job Title: Professor in Health and Computational Neuroscience
Alternative Contact Name: Prof Jonathan Gibbins
Alternative Contact Job Title: Professor of Cell Biology
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.
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Postdoctoral Research Associate employer: University of Reading
Contact Detail:
University of Reading Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Postdoctoral Research Associate
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in your field! Attend conferences, workshops, or even local meetups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your unique skills and experiences. Bring up your PhD work and any relevant projects that showcase your computational biology expertise.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Don’t just send out generic applications. Research the organisations you’re interested in and tailor your conversations to show how your background fits their needs. This shows you’re genuinely interested and not just mass applying.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Remember, we’ve got a great platform for job applications at StudySmarter. Make sure to apply through our website to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
We think you need these skills to ace Postdoctoral Research Associate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Postdoctoral Research Associate role. Highlight your relevant experience in computational biology, method development, and any publications that showcase your skills. We want to see how you fit into our multidisciplinary team!
Show Off Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for the project shine through! Talk about why you're excited about the intersection of computational methods and biology, especially in platelet biology and haemostasis. We love candidates who are genuinely interested in making a difference in this field.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your potential as a candidate.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that we receive all your details correctly and helps us process your application smoothly. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Reading
✨Know Your Research Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in your own research and how it relates to the project at the University of Reading. Be prepared to discuss your previous work, especially any computational modelling or method development you've done, and how it can contribute to the field of platelet biology.
✨Show Off Your Multidisciplinary Skills
This role requires collaboration across various fields, so highlight your experience working in multidisciplinary teams. Share specific examples of how you’ve successfully communicated and collaborated with colleagues from different backgrounds, whether in biology, physics, or engineering.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that dive deep into computational methods and data analysis. Brush up on relevant techniques and be ready to explain how you would apply them to the project’s goals. It’s also a good idea to think about potential challenges and how you would address them.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Learning
Since the role involves rapidly acquiring knowledge in cell biology, express your enthusiasm for learning. Discuss any steps you’ve taken to familiarise yourself with platelet biology or haemostasis, and be ready to share how you plan to continue your education in this area.
