Head of Responsible Innovation - Generative Biology Institute

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) tackles humanity’s greatest challenges by turning science and technology into impactful global solutions. Focused on areas 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.

The Generative Biology Institute (GBI) at EIT aims to overcome two major challenges in making biology engineerable: 1) the ability to precisely synthesize entire genomes, and 2) understanding which DNA sequences will create biological systems that perform desired functions. Solving these challenges will unlock the potential of biology for transformative solutions in health, sustainability, agriculture, and more. GBI will house 30 groups and over 300 researchers, supported by cutting-edge facilities and sustained funding to address global challenges and advance biology engineering.

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

GBI is seeking a visionary Head of Responsible Innovation to lead the development and implementation of ethical, secure, and socially conscious research practices within the institute. This leadership role will ensure that scientific advancements are aligned with global biosecurity standards and societal values, embedding responsible innovation into the core of GBI’s research culture.

The successful candidate will collaborate with world-class researchers, shape strategic frameworks, and engage with global stakeholders to anticipate and mitigate risks associated with emerging biotechnologies. This is a unique opportunity to influence the future of synthetic biology and contribute to solutions in health, sustainability, and agriculture.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead GBI’s Responsible Innovation strategy, embedding ethical foresight and security into research programs.
• Establish frameworks and processes to forecast and address potential dual-use of emerging technologies. 
• Work closely with scientific leadership and research groups to ensure alignment between research outputs and broader societal needs. 
• Collaborate with GBI researchers to evaluate potential biological risk from emerging biotechnologies
• Build and chair relevant advisory boards to review innovation pathways and ensure research is conducted in a secure and ethical manner. 
• Drive engagement with global stakeholders (academic, regulatory, industry, public) to ensure GBI’s work is transparent, trustworthy, and aligned with international best practice in responsible research and innovation.  
• Design and implement training programs for researchers to integrate responsible innovation into their projects, cultivating a culture of accountability and foresight. 
• Guide the development of technical safeguards, such as hard prompt refusals in models and misuse detection tools
• Identify areas of special concern in emerging technologies to prioritise monitoring and testing schemes
• Ensure responsible innovation is embedded within GBI’s research culture, building strong relationships with research teams so that security measures are seen as enabling and supportive

Qualifications and Experience: 

• A doctoral degree (PhD) in Life Sciences, Bioengineering, Synthetic Biology, or a related field.
• Ideally, demonstrated expertise in forecasting and securing emerging technologies with a proven track record of embedding responsible innovation in complex scientific environments
• Experience developing and leading frameworks for responsible research and innovation in academic, industrial, or policy contexts
• Familiarity and understanding of security, legal, and social implications of synthetic biology, automation, and large-scale data-driven science
• Ability to convene and collaborate with interdisciplinary stakeholders, including scientists, ethicists, regulators, and the public 
• Proven track record of team building, with the ability to inspire a culture of responsible, mission-driven science 
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to engage technical and non-technical audiences and represent GBI at the highest levels (academic institutions, regulatory agencies, industry partners)

We offer the following benefits: 

• Enhanced holiday pay 
• Pension 
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection 
• Private Medical Insurance 
• Hospital Cash Plan 
• Therapy Services 
• Perk Box 
• Electrical 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 be eligible to work in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary. 
• You must be based 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 program.