Vacancies

We prioritise wellness at work, encourage flexible working, and are proud of our vibrant and collaborative community. You'll be working with people doing world-changing research in a broad number of fields, all with a passion for their subject.

The new Life and Mind Building has cutting-edge teaching and research facilities, including temperature controlled rooms and glasshouses, an imaging suite, full DEFRA facilities, and the Oxford herbaria. Off site, there is also access to flight labs, wet labs, and flow cytometry. Staff can benefit from access to resources through our partners at Wytham Woods, Oxford Botanic Gardens and Arboretum, and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

We strive to ensure all staff have opportunities for personal and professional development. For research staff and students, we have mentorship programmes for early career researchers, a biology research staff network, and many social opportunities to connect, network, and learn from your fellow biologists.

All staff can expect to benefit from University-wide People and Organisational Development programmes, training, and Departmental reward schemes.

The Department of Biology is committed to fostering an environment in which the diverse contributions of all staff, students and visitors are valued and respected. We recognise that our people are our greatest asset, and that excellence in research, teaching and innovation thrives only when everyone can participate fully, feel included, and flourish.

We strive to ensure that our equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) commitments are embedded across all departmental activities, and recognise that the three aspects of EDI are interlinked: equality of opportunity cannot be achieved without recognising diversity and enabling genuine inclusion.

We operate within the framework of the Equality Act 2010, and we also align with the University’s broader equality, diversity and inclusion strategy and associated policies.

We commit to:

• Creating a working and learning environment in which all members (staff, students, visitors) are treated with dignity, respect and fairness.
• Ensuring that our policies and processes are equitable, transparent and accessible.
• Removing barriers that may prevent full participation and progression in our Department, especially for those from under‑represented or marginalised groups.
• Encouraging and supporting a diverse community of staff and students, reflecting the broad range of talent and potential that exists in society.
• Embedding EDI thinking into recruitment, admissions, course design, research culture, mentoring, career progression and service roles.
• Monitoring and reviewing our progress in EDI, and setting objectives to drive continuous improvement.

Everyone in the Department — academic, research, technical and professional staff, students — has a role to play in upholding this. We value excellence, innovation and academic integrity — and these values are best realised in a diverse, inclusive and supportive community. By working together, we will collectively strive to create, maintain and enhance an environment in which all staff and students can thrive, contribute fully, and reach their best potential. 

We offer a range of academic and research career pathways, from early-career posts to senior professorial appointments. Below is an overview of the key academic grades and roles within the department, reflecting the structure and expectations of academic progression at the University of Oxford.

Please see our fellowships and funding page for potential opportunities via external funding and fellowships. 

Researchers

We offer roles for researchers at all levels:

• Grade 6 Research Assistants
• Grade 7-8 Postdoctoral Researchers
• Grade 8-9 Independent Research Fellows
• Grade 9-10 Senior Research Leads
• RSIV: RSIV is a professorial-equivalent grade at other higher education institutions, and it typically indicates a significant research reputation and the ability to lead a substantial research team.

Associate Professor

This is the main academic grade at Oxford, roughly equivalent to associate professor in the USA.

• APTF (Associate Professor, Tutorial Fellow) - These are associated with a college tutorial fellowship with teaching time split between duties for the University and College. 

• APNTF (Associate Professor, Non-Tutorial Fellow) - These associate professors receive 100% of their salary from the University and may have additional teaching or administrative duties in the department. 

• Titular Professorships - Particularly distinguished associate professors may be awarded the title of full professor, either in a regular exercise for the conferment of titles, or by a panel chaired by the Vice-Chancellor as cases arise on recruitment or in between exercises. The award of the title does not change the post or the duties of the holder; it is simply a means of recognising an associate professor’s academic distinction.

Full Professorship

This is a senior academic grade at Oxford, equivalent to full professor in the USA. Professors are expected to take an academic leadership role within their department or faculty as well as more widely in the University and beyond. The majority of professorships (also known as “chairs”) are statutory, for example, they are permanent posts within the University’s staff structure.

We have a diverse and skilled professional services team, covering a wide range of functions — from IT and HR to communications, finance, technical support, and more.

Our professional services support the departments core academic purposes of teaching, learning and research. Our department relies on talented administrators, technical experts, and support staff. They ensure the University can meet the requirements of government, funding bodies and other external agencies and facilitate the attainment of the objectives set out in the University’s Strategic Plan. 

University of Oxford Apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity for young people and existing members of staff to earn while they learn in a world-leading research and academic institution. The University is committed to providing exciting and life-changing apprenticeships across all of its departments, including Biology, where apprentices of all ages train alongside experienced staff.