Overview
Join us at EIT: At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we are on a mission to translate scientific discovery into real-world impact. We bring together scientists, technologists, engineers, researchers, educators and innovators to tackle humanity's greatest challenges in four transformative areas:
* Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology
* Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture
* Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
* Climate Change & Managing CO₂
This is ambitious work—work that demands curiosity, courage, and a relentless drive to make a difference. At EIT, you join a community built on excellence, innovation, tenacity, trust, and collaboration, where bold ideas become real-world breakthroughs. Explore more at www.eit.org.
The Plant Biology Institute
The Plant Biology Institute, headed by Professor Steve Kelly, is a key part of the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Oxford. The institute aims to develop impactful and commercially sustainable solutions for improving global food production and planetary health through pioneering plant science research. It will unite world-class researchers focused on expanding the frontiers of plant science. Our research aims to feed the planet while improving climate and ecosystem outcomes of food production. We embed cutting-edge plant science within an organization solving global challenges at scale to accelerate 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 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 its vision.
Your Role
The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Researcher in Plant Biochemistry to join its pioneering Plant Biology Institute and contribute to the “Biological Nitrogen Fixation” program. This initiative seeks to engineer biological nitrogen fixation into widely grown crop plants to improve yields and reduce global reliance on synthetic fertilisers. The ultimate goal is to deliver transformative environmental, economic, and public health benefits by supporting the transition to scalable and regenerative agricultural systems.
Your Responsibilities
The Postdoctoral Researcher will design and conduct experiments aligned with stage-gated milestones in our plant engineering program. Main responsibilities include optimizing folding, stability, assembly, and functional activity of complex enzymatic systems in plant cells using transient and stable plant transformation approaches. The role requires expertise in in silico protein analysis and structural modelling, mass spectrometry-based proteomic analyses (e.g., LC-MS, LC-MS/MS), nitrogen fixation assays (e.g., acetylene reduction), and a strong foundation in plant molecular biology and biochemistry. Insights will inform our synthetic biology strategy to enable novel metabolic capabilities in high-performance crop varieties.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in biological nitrogen fixation and plant biochemistry. This role offers a unique opportunity to conduct high-impact research at the forefront of plant science while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to drive innovation from lab to global impact.
The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to publications and IP generation and play an active role in translating research into real-world and commercial solutions aligned with EIT\'s mission of humane technological advancement. This is an opportunity to develop as a scientific leader in a dynamic, well-supported environment.
Additional Responsibilities
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams to incorporate cutting-edge research techniques into experiments
* Present scientific work at seminars within the lab and at external meetings
* Mentor graduate students and other members of the research group where appropriate
* Collaborate with experts at the forefront of AI, automation, and generative biology across the EIT ecosystem
* Draft scientific papers and contribute to publications
* Assist in translating scientific results into commercial opportunities aligned with EIT\'s humane endeavours
* Recognise and act on opportunities for IP creation and cooperate in patent protection and impact delivery
Requirements
Essential Skills, Qualifications & Experience
* Completed PhD in a relevant discipline
* Strong research background and competency in relevant skills or areas; examples include:
* In silico protein analysis, including structural modelling, domain architecture prediction, and identification of signal peptides and post-translational modification motifs
* Mass spectrometry-based proteomic analyses (e.g., LC-MS and LC-MS/MS), including sample preparation, proteolytic digestion, quantitative peptide profiling, site-specific PTMs, and validation of cofactor maturation
* In vitro enzyme assay development and optimisation, including quantitative kinetic characterisation
* Experience working under microaerobic or anaerobic conditions
* Fluorescent reporters to monitor cellular dynamics or metabolite levels in plant tissues
* Nitrogen fixation assays applied to plants and microbes (acetylene reduction and 15N2 incorporation) and related analytical techniques (e.g., gas chromatography, isotope ratio MS)
* Working with transient plant expression systems (cell cultures, protoplasts, Agrobacterium-infiltrated tissues)
* Strong proficiency in molecular biology, including PCR, qPCR, primer/construct design, cloning, extraction, purification, gel electrophoresis, immunodetection, and enzyme assays
* Understanding of high-throughput and automated workflows in laboratory techniques
* Excellent experimental design, data analysis, statistics, and visualization
* Understanding of path to impact and incorporating user feedback and market research where appropriate
* Ability to conduct independent research and publish in peer‑reviewed journals
* Ability to build internal and external relationships and collaborate across disciplines
* Clear problem-solving skills and excellent written and verbal communication
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
* Expertise in enzyme structure-guided rational protein engineering or directed evolution
Benefits
Our Benefits
* Salary dependent on experience + 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
* A collaborative research environment with a highly skilled team working at the cutting edge of plant science to create commercially sustainable solutions
* Opportunities for professional development including publication, conferences, spin-out generation, and leadership development
Required Application Materials
* Two letters of reference
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