Group Leaders - Plant Biology Institute

About EIT:

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) purpose is to have a global impact by fundamentally reimagining the way science and technology translate into end-to-end solutions and delivering these solutions in programmes and platforms that respond to humanity’s most challenging problems. Led by a faculty of world experts, EIT seeks to solve the world’s most challenging problems across four high-risk, high-reward, high-impact humane endeavours: Health, Medical Science and Generative Biology; Food security and Sustainable agriculture; Clean Energy Generation and Storage; and Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.

A cornerstone of EIT mission is its upcoming 300,000-square-foot research facility at the Oxford Science Park, set to open in 2027. This cutting-edge campus will feature advanced labs, an oncology and preventative care clinic, and collaborative spaces to strengthen its partnership with the University of Oxford. It will also host the Ellison Scholars, driving innovation for societal benefit.

EIT fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and resilience, valuing diverse expertise to drive sustainable solutions to humanity’s enduring challenges.

About The Plant Biology Institute

The Plant Biology Institute, headed by Professor Steve Kelly, is a key part of the Ellison Institute of Technology. The institute aims to develop impactful and commercially sustainable solutions for improving global food production and planetary health through pioneering plant science research.

The Plant Biology Institute will unite world-class researchers who are focused on expanding the frontiers of plant science. Our research is focussed on enhancing our ability to feed the planet while simultaneously improving the climate and ecosystem outcomes of food production. By embedding cutting-edge plant science research within an organisation that is focused on solving global challenges at scale, we aim to accelerate the timeline from discovery to global impact.

Areas of exploration include:

• Improved plant productivity, both indoors and outside.
• Reduced reliance on inputs including water, fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides.
• Novel decarbonised plant-based production platforms for food and medicines.
• Advanced technologies that speed up discovery and deployment in plants. 

Researchers will have access to state-of-the-art laboratory and plant growth facilities and have opportunities to collaborate with experts at the forefront of research on AI, automation, and generative biology across the EIT ecosystem. They will also work with global leaders in market development, commercialisation, and impact creation. The Plant Biology Institute has long-term substantial funding to support the unique scale and ambition of its vision.

EIT is seeking multiple exceptional and motivated Research Group Leaders to play pivotal roles in the newly established and rapidly expanding Plant Biology Institute. The Institute focuses on high-impact scientific challenges with the broader goal of tackling some of humanity’s greatest challenges through sustainable, scalable agricultural innovation. These are leadership roles in a rapidly growing research group within a newly established Plant Biology Institute working one the following topic areas:    

• Biological nitrogen fixation in plants.
• Novel decarbonised plant-based production platforms for food and medicines.
• Advanced technologies in plant genome editing and transformation. 

Key Responsibilities:

Research Leadership:

• Develop and execute a focused research programme, aligned with the group/institute’s broader strategy and working closely with the Senior Group Leader, working through stage gated milestones based on validated lab data/field research
• Recruit and lead a group of researchers, supervising projects and providing scientific direction for the research discipline and maintain a positive, engaged culture, in line with EIT Oxford values.
• Support the management of research projects, providing strategic guidance and scientific input.

Excellent Technical Research:

• Direct the activities of the research programme by carrying out some projects personally and overseeing projects delegated to group members.
• Design and execute research experiments to the highest scientific standard.
• Identify, develop and apply a broad range of techniques to pursue the research objectives.
• Maintain accurate records, analyse data and use appropriate statistical tools to contribute to progress reports and scientific publications.

Research Designed for Impact:

• Understand the path to impact for the research programme.
• Design and execute programs that consider user feedback and market research in developing research experiments to ensure that all research programs are value and purpose driven.
• Collaborate with experts at the forefront of research on AI, automation, and generative biology across the EIT ecosystem.  
• Work with global leaders in market development, commercialisation, and impact creation within the Plant Biology Institute and wider EIT ecosystem. 
• Work, where appropriate, with translational teams to translate the results of research into commercial opportunities consistent with EITs humane endeavours. 
• Recognise and act on opportunities for the creation of IP and cooperating in patent protection and in impact delivery.
• Publish high-impact research and represent the Institute at national and international conferences.

Essential Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

• At least 6 years postdoctoral research experience or relevant industry experience or independent research fellow experience.
• Be an established or emerging thought leader in their field.
• Proven ability to manage scientific output individually and as part of a team of researchers.
• Strategic thinker with experience delivering against long term strategic research programs.
• A track record of developing new research, products, and technologies.
• Project management, communication and resource allocation experience.

What we offer:

• Newly constructed, state-of-the-art laboratories and growth facilities with substantial core funding to support a research group.
• A collaborative research environment with highly skilled team working at the cutting edge of plant science to create commercially sustainable solutions that tackle humanities biggest challenges, including enabling sustainable agriculture and improving the climate and ecosystem outcomes of food production.
• Opportunities for professional development including publication, conferences, IP portfolio creation, spin-out generation, and leadership development.

We offer the following salary and benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Enhanced holiday pay
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Hospital Cash Plan
• Therapy Services
• Perk Box
• Electric Car Scheme

Why work for EIT:

At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!

Terms of Appointment:

• You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary.
• You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford.
• During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme.