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The committee aims to have at least one research staff representative from each department in the division.

One of the co-chairs of MPLS RSF sits on the Divisional Board, the governing body of the division. The other co-chair sits on the MPLS Training and Development Steering Group. Both co-chairs sit on the Research Staff Consultative Group of the University. Issues discussed at meetings of MPLS RSF can then be raised at divisional and institutional levels. Two representatives from MPLS RSF (usually the co-chairs) sit on the MPLS ECR Forum.

Current Co-chairs: Muhammad aamir and Massimo Mariello

 

Muhammad Aamir RSF

Muhammad Aamir 

Muhammad Aamir is a Senior Postdoctoral Researcher at the department of computer science, contributing to an AI-driven project for wildlife conservation and global biodiversity monitoring. He took the position to represent postdoc at Oxford University because he believes that Postdoctoral researchers are crucial for universities and research. They act as the engine of innovation, bridging the gap between PhD students and faculty. By conducting specialized, high-level research, they significantly contribute to a university's output of publications and patents. Postdocs also mentor graduate students and bring fresh expertise and energy, which is vital for maintaining a dynamic and productive research environment. They are the future of academia, shaping the next generation of scholars

muhammad.aamir@cs.ox.ac.uk

Massimo Mariello

Massimo Mariello

"Early-career researchers are the lifeblood of the university: they bring energy, innovation, and new perspectives, and supporting them is essential not only for individual careers but for the future strength and reputation of the entire research community.”

Massimo Mariello is a Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate at Oxford’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Keble College. With a background in materials engineering and nanotechnology, his research spans bioelectronics, nanogenerators, and drug-delivery systems. 

As MPLS Enterprise and Innovation Fellow, Ideas2Impact Fellow and Teaching Tutor, he has contributed to enhance interdisciplinary training within the department, promoting collaboration between scientists and entrepreneurs, and spreading knowledge among students and researchers. Satisfying the needs of early-career researchers and enabling more targeted opportunities are the primary reasons why he decided to become a research staff representative.

massimo.mariello@eng.ox.ac.uk


Current MPLS Research Staff Forum committee members

Contact

Department

email

Chris Terry

Biology

christopher.terry@biology.ox.ac.uk

Adam Mulkern

Biology

adam.mulkern@biology.ox.ac.uk

Davia Prichich

Chemistry

davia.prischich@chem.ox.ac.uk

Duhan Toparlak

Chemistry

duhan.toparlak@chem.ox.ac.uk

Rita Kounoudis 

Earth Science

rita.kounoudis@earth.ox.ac.uk
Joseph Asplet 

Earth Science

joseph.asplet@earth.ox.ac.uk

Patrick Salter

Engineering

patrick.salter@eng.ox.ac.uk

Yvonne Lu 

Engineering

yvonne.lu@eng.ox.ac.uk

Theodore Hobson 

Materials/Begbroke

theodore.hobson@materials.ox.ac.uk

Lasse Grimmelt

Maths

lasse.grimmelt@maths.ox.ac.uk

Timothy LaRock

Maths

larock@maths.ox.ac.uk

Kai Shinbrough 

Physics

kai.shinbrough@physics.ox.ac.uk
James Gillanders 

Physics

james.gillanders@physics.ox.ac.uk

Matthew Raybould

Statistics

matthew.raybould@dtc.ox.ac.uk

Fergus Imrie

Statistics

fergus.imrie@stats.ox.ac.uk

*Updated May 2025

Profiles

The Research Culture Facilitator, MPLS Division

Supports MPLS RSF by acting as a secretary to the committee, providing continuity, induction for new members and giving briefings on specific subjects.

Natia Sopromadze Research Culture Facilitator

Dr Natia Sopromadze

Natia supports initiatives that foster a healthy, inclusive and equitable research environment, where everyone feels empowered to thrive. As a former postdoctoral researcher, she brings first-hand insight into the challenges faced by early career researchers, from short-term contracts to sustainable career paths within and beyond academia. Natia collaborates with colleagues across the University to align divisional activity with Oxford’s wider research culture programme and the national Researcher Development Concordat commitments. She serves as secretary to the MPLS Research Staff Forum, Early Career Researcher Forum and Research Culture Working Group. Natia welcomes suggestions on ways to promote positive change in research culture and is keen to work together to address shared challenges.

natia.sopromadze@mpls.ox.ac.uk