The John Innes Centre (JIC) seeks a visionary Group Leader to lead research on Discovery Plant Science. We welcome applications from scientists with expertise in any aspect of fundamental plant science, including but not limited to, growth and development, environmental interactions, seasonal biology, cellular signalling, cell biology, genetics, epigenetics and transcription.
This position will primarily focus on fundamental discovery plant science, with opportunity to access JIC’s extensive resources and state-of-the-art plant growth facilities. By joining a vibrant plant and microbial research community, there are also opportunities for the candidate’s research to synergise with that of others.
The successful candidate will be offered an initial six-year tenure-track position, with the opportunity to apply for tenure during this period, subject to review. If the candidate selected meets our tenure requirements, we may consider appointing to a tenured position directly.
To read the full job description for this role,please follow this link.
Facilities and Support
The role comes with a full-time Research Assistant for the group, a well-equipped laboratory, and additional support including a Laboratory Manager and media preparation team. You will also benefit from cutting-edge technology platforms, such as bioimaging and microscopy, proteomics, biochemistry, structural biology, crop transformation, and horticultural services. JIC's newly built 110-hectare field experimentation station integrates lab and field research on one site, providing a seamless research experience. Explore the full range of platforms here.
Why Join JIC?
This is an exciting time to join JIC as we advance our ambitious Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet (HP3) vision and build new, cutting-edge facilities.
The HP3 project, in association with our colleagues at The Sainsbury Laboratory, is a £400 million investment in state-of-the-art laboratories, glasshouses, controlled environment chambers, and platform technologies offering unparalleled research infrastructure. These laboratories, which will open in 2030, will be equipped with the very latest equipment in analytical biochemistry, genomics, bio-imaging and structural biology, supported by a dedicated new Data Centre with the very latest, future-proofed computational infrastructure and support in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The HP3 investment builds on the recognised position of JIC and TSL as a UK hub for plant and microbial science and an international centre of excellence.
You will work alongside a diverse community of researchers across various disciplines, including molecular biology, mathematics, chemistry and biochemistry, microscopy and structural biology, as well as plant and microbial scientists, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages input at all levels. JIC offers substantial support for professional development, research, and administrative tasks. Start-up research funding will be provided, in addition to well-funded facilities and extensive support.
The John Innes Centre is part of the wider vision of the Norwich Research Park (NRP), along with The Sainsbury Laboratory, which focuses on plant-microbe interactions and crop diseases, The Earlham Institute which studies living systems with a strong emphasis on evolutionary functional genomics and informatics, and The Quadram Institute which has leading programmes on food science, nutrition, and gut microbiology. The NRP also hosts one of the largest teaching hospitals in the UK, with research strengths in gut health and nutrition, and the University of East Anglia, which has world-leading research in climate science and international development, as well as strong science and engineering faculties. Collectively, the NRP employs around 3000 PhD scientists and is a vibrant, collaborative and intellectually stimulating research environment. As a microbiology research leader, you will also be a member of the Centre for Microbial Interactions, which exists to promote collaboration and synergy between the >100 microbiology labs based on the Norwich Research Park.
Norwich offers an outstanding quality of life, combining affordable housing, top-rated schools, and easy access to the beautiful Norfolk coast. Discover why so many people choose to live and work here in our latest publication, featuring case studies from staff who now call Norwich home. The comprehensive Work in Norwich Guide also provides valuable insights and practical information to help you make the move.
International applicants
We welcome international applicants and our dedicated recruitment team will guide you through the different visa options and application processes. We will cover visa costs for the successful candidate and their dependants as well as the immigration healthcare surcharge (IHS) when you apply for your visa.
We provide a competitive start-up package, including full funding for a Research Assistant/postdoc, access to student schemes, core lab equipment and access to advanced platform services such as horticulture, bioimaging, and proteomics. With no teaching expectation, you’ll have the freedom to focus fully on your research.
Find out more about our pay and additional benefits and about life in the UK. If you are an international applicant and would like further information, please don’t hesitate to contact our recruitment team nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk .
Application Process
Interested applicants are invited to submit the following documents:
CV Cover letter explaining your motivation for applying for the Independent
Fellowship position at JIC A description of current research activities (2-3 pages)
Short- and long-term research goals (2-3 pages)
We encourage you to highlight how your research could contribute to JIC’s four strategic research programmes (see here).
Submit your application by close of play Monday 25 August 2025.
Interviews are tentatively scheduled for 24 and 25 September 2025.
Additional information:
For further information and details of how to apply, please visit our website http://jobs.jic.ac.uk or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk quoting reference 1004923.
This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.
Further Benefits of Joining JIC:
Join an outstanding team of colleagues working across an unparalleled range of cutting-edge interdisciplinary microbiology and plant science.
Competitive start-up package, including full-funding for a Research Assistant/postdoc (£42K per year), access to a range of PhD student schemes (£105K for a 4-year student), basic lab equipment (up to £100K), and access to platform services such as horticulture, bioimaging, and proteomics (~£50-100K per year).
Access to state-of-the-art facilities, including field phenotyping (field station 10 minutes away by bike), growth rooms, glasshouses, and bioimaging, chemistry, biophysics, metabolomics, proteomics, and structural biology platforms.
A flat management structure, fostering a collegial atmosphere.
Over £400 million in new investment, demonstrating a commitment to JIC as the UK's centre of excellence in plant and microbial science.
Opportunities to influence science policy at regional, national, and international levels.
The benefits of living in Norwich—affordable housing, proximity to the coast (20 miles), and an attractive city and countryside. Norwich also has an international airport for easy travel.
We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity. As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.
The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
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