Join the Team
At PERL, we are always looking to expand our team with staff, students and collaborators!
Join the Team
To see our current job and studentship opportunities, click below for our department website.
What's it like to work with PERL?
Read some testimonials by some of our staff and students
Doing DPhil research in the PERL group is a fantastic experience. The team is incredibly supportive, and it’s a lovely place to be. We work hard, but we also make time for socialising and building connections, which makes all the difference during a PhD! The sense of community here is amazing, and it’s a really great environment to grow both professionally and personally. Everyone is valued in the PERL family and that makes for a wonderful working experience!
I am an international medical graduate from Italy who came to the UK to work as a clinician in 2015. I first joined PERL in 2018 as I was preparing my DPhil application and have stayed ever since: initially for my doctoral work on statin repurposing in depression, then as a Clinical Lecturer, and now in a full-time research role. What’s kept me here is simple: the people. It’s a large lab, but it never feels anonymous. Whether you're discussing novel ideas with supportive PIs, chatting over coffee with colleagues from different backgrounds, or seeking collaborators across disciplines, PERL strikes a rare balance between scientific ambition and a strong sense of community. There’s a genuine culture of supporting each other’s aspirations (academic or otherwise) which makes a real difference. It’s an intellectually stimulating place that, to me, can’t help but feeling like home.
During my Master's research project at PERL, everyone in the lab have been incredibly supportive, knowledgeable and generous with their time. Senior figures in PERL are very understanding of the time constraints that a Master's project operates within, and recommend highly interesting studies accordingly. I was privileged to work on the OxSENSE study with Dr Riccardo de Giorgi, and had support from many members of the lab to produce a thesis on such a captivating topic. I am incredibly appreciative of how career development is on the forefront of everyone's mind in the lab, which is particularly why I greatly endorse PERL as an amazing choice for a Master's student.
Doing my master’s research project at PERL has been an absolute delight! I am very excited to be working on the 7T FACES study with Marieke, and I am glad that I can write my dissertation on such a fascinating topic of research. Everyone has been very welcoming, helpful, and supportive: the PERL members clearly prioritise the maintenance of an enjoyable interpersonal atmosphere, and they actively support each other’s career development. This makes such a big difference, and as a visiting student, I value and appreciate this a lot!
I’ve worked in the department for over 25 years, and one of the things I value most is the positive and collaborative spirit that runs through everything we do. I'm especially proud of PERL our research lab, which brings together people from all kinds of backgrounds, each contributing their own unique skills and perspectives. PERL isn’t just about doing great science. it’s also about the people and the strong sense of community we’ve built. It’s a place where curiosity and creativity go hand in hand: From potato races in the park and salsa dancing sessions to bake-offs and crochet clubs. This combination of scientific discovery and genuine connection is what makes PERL such a special and inspiring lab to be part of.
Working at PERL has been an incredibly rewarding and unique experience. Each day brings something new, and I’ve gained invaluable research and clinical skills along the way. I feel fortunate to be part of a team that truly values inclusivity and collaboration. I’ve had the freedom to shape my work around my own interests and strengths, with many opportunities to assist my career progression!
Want to learn more about us?
Click below to view our page on the Oxford Department of Psychiatry website.
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