EIT Overview
At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we're on a mission to translate scientific discovery into real world impact.
* Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology
* Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture
* Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
EIT brings together visionary scientists, technologists, engineers, researchers, educators and innovators to tackle humanity's greatest challenges.
Plant Biology Institute
The Plant Biology Institute, headed by Professor Steve Kelly, is a key part of EIT Oxford. It aims to develop impactful and commercially sustainable solutions for improving global food production and planetary health through pioneering plant science research.
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
Your Role
We are seeking a visionary and accomplished Senior Group Leader/Group Leader in Yield and Photosynthesis to contribute to a transformative research programme within the rapidly growing Plant Biology Institute.
Your Responsibilities
* Leadership
o Contribute to the development and expansion of a newly established plant science institute which will scale rapidly over the next 5 years to become a global leader in plant science research aimed at tackling humanity's greatest challenges.
o Establish and lead a research group focused on photosynthesis, carbon fixation, plant metabolism, and yield improvement – designing and executing projects that advance both foundational understanding and applied innovation.
o Recruit and lead a top talent team of research scientists including postdocs and PhD candidates. Hire based on competency, experience and values. Manage based on clear performance targets and with accountability. Maintain a positive, engaged culture in line with EIT values.
* Research designed for impact
o Contribute to planning and communicating the scientific direction of the yield and photosynthesis research programme.
o Direct the activities of the research group by supervising some projects personally and overseeing projects delegated to group members.
o Drive rigorous experimental design, execution and data interpretation, ensuring robust and reproducible scientific outcomes.
o Manage research program through stage‑gated milestones, with active no‑go decisions based on validated research data.
o Manage project resources – including personnel, equipment, and budgets – in coordination with the senior leadership team.
o Ensure research is conducted ethically and in compliance with EIT policy, regulatory guidance, and best scientific practice.
o Generate, maintain and manage collaborations with key teams across EIT Oxford and the wider scientific and commercial ecosystem to accelerate the path to scientific discovery and impact.
o Work, where appropriate, with the translation team within EIT to translate the results of research into commercial opportunities consistent with EIT's humane endeavours. Recognise and act on opportunities for the creation and protection of intellectual property.
Requirements
* Leader of research group(s) within academia or industry.
* Recognised thought leader in their field.
* Proven ability to manage scientific output for a team of PhDs/Postdoctoral researchers.
* Experience delivering against long‑term strategic research programmes.
* Experience of managing a large team of researchers and scientists including interdisciplinary workstream integration.
* Demonstration of commercial awareness and versatility of research that could serve a wide range of different applications (e.g. oils, pharmaceuticals, foods).
* Development of partnerships with engineering, technical partners and licensees or channel partners.
* Project management, communication and resource allocation experience.
* Ability to build both internal and external relationships. Working collaboratively with others outside of their discipline.
Benefits
* Competitive salary + travel allowance + bonus.
* Enhanced holiday + options to buy additional days.
* Pension.
* Life Assurance.
* Income Protection.
* Private Medical Insurance.
* Hospital Cash Plan.
* Therapy Services.
* Perk Box.
* Electric Car Scheme.
* Childcare benefit.
What we offer
* Newly constructed, state‑of‑the‑art laboratories and growth facilities, core scientific and operational support, and 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 humanity's 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.
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