Associate Professor or Assistant Professor in Quantitative, Systems and Engineering Biology (111546-0426)

Informal Queries

• For informal queries about the role, please contact Professor Miriam Gifford (Head of School) at Miriam.Gifford@warwick.ac.uk or Professor Gary Bending (Incoming Head of School, from August 2026) at Gary.Bending@warwick.ac.uk 

Diversity Statement

• We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities, and in particular those currently underrepresented in our workforce. This includes, but is not limited to, female candidates.

This is a permanent full time academic appointment post.

About the group/team

The School of Life Sciences (SLS) at the University of Warwick wishes to appoint an excellent and ambitious principal investigator working in the broad area of quantitative, systems and engineering biology (QSEB). Particular areas of interest include, but are not limited to, Physics of Life (PoL), Engineering Biology, Bioelectricity, Cellular Metabolisms, and Biomanufacturing. We encourage applications from researchers combining experimental and data-driven approaches, such as single-cell technologies, microfluidics and analytical chemistry, with mathematical, computational and AI models. Individuals whose research has strong potential for industrial collaborations and who are developing work with translatable and societal impact are particularly encouraged.

Your research at SLS will be supported by high-quality administrative and technical teams and cutting-edge research infrastructure and facilities. Our excellent research facilities include genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, liquid-handing robotic platforms, high-performance computing, flow cytometry, advanced confocal microscopy, light and electron microscopy facilities, bioinformatics growth facilities for experimental plants and animals and CL2 and CL3 laboratories (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci/tic/).

We and the wider University of Warwick environment offer substantial opportunities for professional development including regular opportunities to attend international conferences. 

The successful candidate will be expected to have an original and interdisciplinary research programme that investigates biological phenomena through the prism of fundamental physical, chemical, mathematical or engineering principles, and by combining experiments and theory. The Quantitative, Systems and Engineering Biology (QSEB) cluster (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci/research/qseb/) is one of the core research clusters at SLS. QSEB-associated faculty carry out world-leading research to understand the fundamental principles of life in single cells and cell collectives and engineering their dynamic behaviours. Our research has applications to cellular physiology, the dynamics of endogenous and synthetic circuits, gene expression, biophysics, microbial interactions, development, plant biology, cancer and systems neuroscience. You will be expected to be an active member of this research cluster. Researchers at QSEB also work closely with colleagues from other departments (Warwick Medical School, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics and Engineering) as well as cross-departmental centres such as Bio-electrical Engineering Innovation Hub (BEE Hub), Warwick AMR Interdisciplinary Centre (WAMIC), and the Systems Biology and Infectious Disease Epidemiology Research (SBIDER).

You will be positioned to attract PhD students from the large BBSRC (MIBTP)- MRC- and NERC (CENTA)-funded Doctoral Training Programs at Warwick (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci/study/pgr/studentships). In addition to developing your independent research programme, you will be expected to contribute to and develop QSEB-related undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes in areas that reflect your research expertise and interests. Teaching areas of our strategic interest include Engineering Biology and Computational Biology. Applicants must evidence a strong commitment to education and training as well as an interest in enhancing their own practice. 

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

School of Life Sciences

For further information about the School of Life Sciences please see our website at

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci

We believe that collegiality, openness, inclusivity and diversity are essential for an excellent research and teaching environment. Our workplace ethic has enabled us to gain the Athena SWAN Silver award. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from all groups with protected characteristics traditionally under-represented in STEM fields. For those eligible, the University offers relocation and Immigration Support Scheme packages to assist with costs of relocating and any associated visa applications and HIS (health) surcharge fees. You will also be provided with an agreed start-up package for your research.

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 74th in the world and 9th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.**

Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.

* World University Ranking 2026, Complete University Guide 2026

** Research Excellence Framework 2021

CLOSING DEADLINE: Sunday 31 May 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)

To apply, please click APPLY below and submit your application by the closing deadline. 

You will be asked to include a CV and cover letter. Within these documents, please:

1. Outline your employment and education history (including your most recent employment).

2. Outline the reasons for your interest in this position.

3. Demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role with clear reference to each of the essential and desirable criteria in the Job Description (PDF attached below).

Please ensure your covering letter consists of no more than three pages outlining how you meet the job description and associated criteria, as well as your future research objectives and aspirations. 

Please include details on how you will attract funding to develop your research portfolio, describe what makes your research distinctive, and outline how you would develop collaborations across departments.

You can also include here any career breaks you may have taken (parental or long-term sick leave, caring responsibilities, part-time work, secondments, volunteering or time spent in different sectors) or any periods where you were unable or restricted to work because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Interview Date: 18th/19th June 2026
• Start Date: To be confirmed

Applications must be submitted by the closing deadline. You will not be able to submit an application form even if you opened it before the stated deadline. Only applications submitted through our Careers Portal will be considered.

You are welcome to include any careers breaks you may have taken (e.g. parental/caring/long-term sick leave).

Please note that if you do not evidence the essential criteria, the hiring panel may not be able to shortlist your application. For guidance on how to format a cover letter, see here.

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.