Principal Investigator in Advanced Genetic Therapy
Build your research programme in Advanced Genetic Therapy at Oxford
The University of Oxford is seeking an ambitious Principal Investigator to establish or expand an independent research programme in advanced genetic therapy.
This is an opportunity to build your research programme within the complementary environments of the Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NDCLS), part of the Radcliffe Department of Medicine, and the MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Genomics (MRC CoRE TG).
Within NDCLS, you will be part of a multidisciplinary academic and clinical research environment based at the John Radcliffe Hospital, with access to research facilities in the adjacent MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine. Within the CoRE, you will join a major collaborative programme focused on advancing therapeutic genomics and developing approaches to bring genome-targeted therapies towards the clinic
You will lead your own research group and set its scientific direction, while developing your programme within a wider network of researchers and collaborators. The appointment is intended to support the development or expansion of an independent research programme, with a substantial support package agreed according to career stage, existing funding and research requirements. This may include dedicated research staff support, start-up funding, consumables and other research expenses, together with access to core research infrastructure.
Closing date: 12 noon, 25 September 2026
Location: John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
Salary: £56,623–£65,336 per annum
Contract: Permanent following successful 5-year review
Vacancy reference: 187662
The Research Environment
The Radcliffe Department of Medicine
The Radcliffe Department of Medicine (RDM) undertakes cross-disciplinary research to understand the shared mechanisms of disease and accelerates the transition from scientific discovery to clinical care to improve health. The department has internationally renowned programmes in cardiovascular and metabolic medicine, as well as molecular medicine, including immunology and haematology. Since 2010, scientists in RDM have created 18 companies based on their research, turning discoveries into innovations that ultimately benefit patients.
You will join NDCLS, one of five academic divisions within the RDM. You will be located in the John Radcliffe Hospital, supported by research facilities in the adjacent MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine. The appointment will contribute to RDM’s Cell and Gene Therapy cross-cutting research theme, and forms part of wider strategic investment by the Medical Sciences Division and RDM in developing capability in advanced genetic therapies and therapeutic genomics.
MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Genomics
This appointment is also embedded within the wider MRC Centre of Research Excellence (MRC CoRE) CoRE in Therapeutic Genomics, which brings together research across five connected areas: Blood, Brain, Eye, Delivery and Genomics.
The MRC CoRE’s wider programme connects scientific discovery in these areas, by tackling clinical readiness, regulatory engagement, economic viability, and translation. We are building the knowledge, infrastructure, partnerships and approaches needed to bring genome-targeted therapies towards clinical application and, ultimately, make genetic medicines more routine.
This includes work across therapeutic design and delivery, genomic and clinical data, regulatory engagement, clinical readiness, economic viability, translation and commercialisation. We also have strong commitments to championing innovative research culture and patient and public involvement.
For a new PI, this creates opportunities to develop an independent research programme within a wider environment that is designed to connect discovery with the practical challenges of taking therapies.
Discover more about the Radcliffe Department of Medicine and the MRC CoRE for Therapeutic Genomics themes by clicking the links below.
Blood
Starting with primary immune deficiencies associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), we will create a template for "how to deliver gene therapies": every step in the process from patient engagement and consultation, through to regulatory approval.
Brain
Aiming to move away from a "one-by-one" approach to choosing therapeutic targets for neurological diseases, and instead to develop a suite of flexible tools for gene regulation in the brain.
Delivery
Working on a range of options to transport therapeutic agents across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), to treat neurological diseases.
Eye
Aiming to develop and validate multiple, distinct gene therapy strategies for inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), using in vivo gene editing techniques.
Genomics
The analytical engine of the MRC CoRE, providing a centralised, CoRE-wide toolkit and data framework.
An international and cross-institutional research network
Collaborate across Oxford, the UK and beyond
As a PI within NDCLS and the MRC CoRE, you will be part of a wider research community spanning the Radcliffe Department of Medicine, the University of Oxford and the CoRE's international consortium.
Within Oxford, the Radcliffe Department of Medicine provides a broad multidisciplinary research environment, while the CoRE connects researchers across its therapeutic genomics themes and partner institutions. The consortium includes UCL, Newcastle University, UC Berkeley/IGI and UCSF, alongside a wider network of academic, clinical and translational organisations.
These connections provide opportunities to develop collaborations across disciplines and institutions, complement your own research programme and contribute to a wider community working in advanced genetic therapies.
Explore the MRC CoRE and RDM research community below.
