Overview
We are seeking an exceptional research-active leader to become Head of Science Strategy at The Pirbright Institute. This is a unique opportunity to combine your own world-class research programme with a senior strategic leadership role at one of the UK's most important bioscience institutes. The successful candidate will be an internationally recognised scientist with a strong and consistent track record of leading independent, externally funded, high-impact research and providing strategic and institutional leadership aligned with Pirbright's mission, priorities, and long-term impact. The role combines scientific excellence with strategic foresight and leadership, enabling influence at bench, in the boardroom, and with global stakeholders.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
* Act as Deputy to the Director of Research.
* Serve on the Science Committee, setting, reviewing, and monitoring the Institute's science strategy.
* Be a named Project Lead on one of Pirbright's National Bioscience Research Infrastructures (NBRIs).
* Provide strategic oversight to our Science Technology Platforms (STPs).
* Line-manage selected Group Leaders, Fellows, and STP Leads.
* Champion a positive, collaborative, and impactful research culture.
* Represent Pirbright externally to strategic stakeholders, shaping agendas nationally and internationally.
Research Group Leadership
* Build and lead a high-performing research group in a strategically relevant area of science for Pirbright (e.g., virology, immunology, zoonoses, host-virus interactions, or systems biology approaches).
* Consistently secure significant external grant funding through innovative, competitive applications.
* Recruit, mentor, and develop research staff and students, fostering the next generation of science leaders.
* Deliver high-impact research outputs, including peer-reviewed publications, knowledge exchange, and societal/economic benefit.
* Maintain the highest standards of health, safety, biosafety, and research integrity.
Qualifications
* PhD in a relevant field and substantial experience as an independent research leader.
* Proven success in building and sustaining a research group with a consistent track record of productivity and impact.
* Strong record of securing, managing, and delivering competitive research funding.
* International reputation for scientific excellence (publications, invited talks, awards, citations).
* Demonstrated strategic and financial acumen, balancing scientific ambition with organisational priorities.
* Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience influencing stakeholders at senior levels.
* Proven leadership and management of diverse teams across career stages.
Desirable
* Experience working in high biocontainment.
* Research experience on high consequence livestock or zoonotic viruses in their natural hosts.
About The Pirbright Institute
The Pirbright Institute is a world-leading centre for research and surveillance of viral diseases in farm animals and viruses that spread from animals to humans. Strategically funded by the UK BBSRC, we work at the forefront of fundamental and applied bioscience to understand, control, and eliminate diseases that threaten both animal and human health. Our research spans viruses that are endemic and exotic to the UK, studying host-pathogen interactions in animals and arthropod vectors with strengths in virology and immunology. Based in Surrey, the Institute employs around 370 staff and hosts 50 PhD students and visiting scientists. Over £300M has been invested in state-of-the-art facilities, with access to advanced Science Technology Platforms including microscopy, flow cytometry, high-throughput sequencing, and bioinformatics. Our culture is defined by openness, integrity, and a shared commitment to excellence, where people from diverse backgrounds come together to advance science.
Benefits and Appointment Details
* Professorial-equivalent appointment (Band G); salary negotiable.
* Permanent position with senior leadership responsibilities.
* Annual consumables budget, access to internal PhD studentships, internships, and seed funding.
* Eligibility for strategic funding for a postdoctoral researcher.
* Generous pension, annual leave, and staff benefits (gym, restaurant, social club, childcare allowance, cycle to work scheme, and more).
* A unique opportunity to shape both your research programme and the scientific direction of a world-leading institute.
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