Postdoctoral Research Associate(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an ambitious and curious Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a collaborative research team led by Professor Roslyn Bill, working across Aston University and the University of Oxford. This fixed-term, full-time position offers a rare opportunity to contribute to a prestigious ERC Advanced Grant focused on understanding how brain fluid clearance is regulated at the cellular level.

The post will be based at the University of Oxford for the full 29-month duration and offers access to world-class facilities, interdisciplinary expertise, and a supportive research culture.

Research Context

The project explores how the subcellular relocalisation of aquaporin-4, a key water channel in the brain, controls glymphatic clearance—a vital process responsible for removing metabolic waste from brain tissue.

When glymphatic clearance is disrupted, toxic by-products can accumulate, contributing to neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. With over 55 million people worldwide living with dementia, this research addresses a critical global health challenge where effective treatments remain limited.

Your Role

You will play a central role in developing an innovative gliovascular interface-on-a-chip, creating a precisely controlled microenvironment to study glymphatic regulation in detail. Your work will involve:

• Designing and fabricating advanced microfluidic systems
• Culturing mammalian cells relevant to the gliovascular interface
• Using high-resolution and advanced imaging techniques to quantify fluid dynamics and cellular behaviour
• Generating high-quality data to support publications and future translational research
• Collaborating closely with interdisciplinary researchers across biosciences, engineering, and neuroscience

This role is well suited to researchers who enjoy hands-on experimental work and want their research to contribute meaningfully to understanding neurological disease.

About You

You will have (or be close to completing) a PhD in one of the following or a related discipline:

• Cell Biology
• Bioengineering
• Biosciences
• Molecular Biology

You should also bring:

• Substantial experience with microfluidic devices or lab-on-a-chip systems
• Strong practical skills in mammalian cell culture
• Expertise in advanced imaging techniques
• A proactive, organised approach to research and collaboration
• Clear scientific communication skills

What You’ll Gain

Aston University offers a supportive and inclusive working environment, alongside a competitive benefits package, including:

• Excellent training and professional development opportunities
• Generous annual leave (30 days) plus bank holidays and University closure days
• Family-friendly and flexible working policies
• Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure, and wellbeing services
• On-site gym and swimming pool with discounted membership
• A vibrant campus environment with excellent transport connections

Visa Sponsorship

This role may be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Eligibility will be assessed by Aston University if you are shortlisted. Unfortunately, individual eligibility cannot be confirmed prior to shortlisting.

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Your CV, including a list of publications or scientific outputs
• A supporting statement outlining your research experience and what you would bring to the role