The Rosalind Franklin Institute (the Franklin) is a technology institute established by the UK Government as a unique centre committed to advancing tools that are needed to transform healthcare in the future.

The Institute brings together researchers in life and physical sciences, and engineering, to develop a spectrum of tools which we will use to image, interpret and intervene in biological systems. These insights will speed up the discovery of new medicines, help find new diagnostics and contribute to a deeper understanding of human health and disease. Our Science Strategy seeks to focus the Franklin’s research and unite our researchers around our Technology Innovation Challenges and Life Science Challenges. For more information on the Franklin’s Challenges click here .

We are currently seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to join our Nanobody Discovery team at the Franklin to develop and expand the use of nanobodies as molecular probes for structural and cell biology applications. The successful candidate will contribute to projects that further develop our nanobody technology platform as well as introducing new technologies.

Key Responsibilities

As a Research Assistant you will:

• *Screen nanobody expression libraries by phage display to isolate specific binding proteins.
• *Express, purify and characterise antigen binding of selected nanobodies.
• *Take responsibility for management of samples and data entry into the nanobody database.
• *Present and interpret results at internal lab meetings.
• *Take responsibility with others to ensure that work in the laboratory is conducted safely and in accordance with local health and safety policies.
• *Participate in and support public engagement by the Franklin.

Before submitting your application please ensure you read the Job Information Pack for full details of this role. This can be found on our careers website.

This job description sets out the skills and experience we believe are needed to be able to do this job but, research also tells us women are much more likely than men to take this list of requirements as absolute and self-select out of the process. If you think you can deliver this role then we want to hear from you, regardless of the boxes you did not tick.

In return we offer:

The Franklin’s underlying aim is to produce the best science for research today, and this means resolutely embracing a diverse team, who have a wide range of experiences, skills and knowledge to push forward on the innovative work our institution delivers. Both our work and our institution are better for it. For further information, view our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy .

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every applicant has an equal opportunity to showcase their talents and abilities. This includes making adjustments for candidates with specific needs. Please contact us at recruitment@rfi.ac.uk to discuss your requirements confidentially.

At the Rosalind Franklin Institute we also welcome applications from all around the world!

How to Apply

To be considered for this role, please upload a CV and cover letter explaining why you think you are the right person for this job. The link to apply is provided at the bottom of this page.

Closing date: The closing date for applications is 23:59 on Tuesday 30th June 2026.

Applicants should refer to our Candidate Privacy Policy

Area: Scientific

Location: Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire

Type of Post: Full Time (37.5 hours per week)

Period of appointment: Fixed-Term Contract (12 Months Maternity Cover)

Salary: From £30,000 per annum (depending on skills and experience)

Closing Date: 30/06/2026

Ref No: 10399