At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of high-throughput plant transformation pipelines and mentor a dynamic research team.
- Company: Join the innovative Ellison Institute of Technology, tackling global challenges through cutting-edge plant science.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel allowance, enhanced holiday, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact on food security and climate change while advancing your career in plant biology.
- Qualifications: Master’s or PhD in Plant Biology with hands-on experience in crop transformation.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.
Join us at EIT: At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we’re on a mission to translate scientific discovery into real world impact. We bring together visionary 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, Climate Change & Managing CO₂, Artificial Intelligence & Robotics. This is ambitious work - work that demands curiosity, courage, and a relentless drive to make a difference. At EIT, you’ll join a community built on excellence, innovation, tenacity, trust, and collaboration, where bold ideas become real-world breakthroughs.
Welcome to 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. The Plant Biology Institute will unite world‑class researchers who are focused on expanding the frontiers of plant science. Our research is focused on enhancing our ability to feed the planet while simultaneously improving the climate and ecosystem outcomes of food production.
Your Role: At EIT we are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Crop Transformation Pipeline Manager at the pioneering Plant Biology Institute. The candidate will build and scale a high‑throughput Plant Transformation Pipeline focused on reliable, genotype‑flexible, and industrially scalable delivery of transgenic and gene‑edited plants. This role will establish and optimise transformation workflows, drive throughput improvements, and ensure reproducibility across multiple crop systems.
Your Responsibilities: You will play a pivotal role in advancing the institute’s research program. Successful candidates will focus on developing high throughput transient assays & stable transformation systems for different crops and explants using visual and fluorescent reporters, different selection markers, validate test & trait constructs from various programs at the institute. The key responsibilities include:
- Establish high‑throughput transformation pipelines with defined KPIs (efficiency, regeneration rate, cycle time, no. of quality events).
- Design, implement, and optimise end‑to‑end plant transformation workflows (Agrobacterium‑mediated, biolistic, CRISPR delivery, etc.).
- Lead and mentor Research Associates and Senior Research Associates.
- Standardise tissue culture, regeneration, and selection protocols across genotypes.
- Integrate automation, digital tracking, and quality control systems in the pipeline.
- Collaborate closely with other research groups to implement technologies to boost pipeline efficiency.
- Drive continuous improvement, process optimisation, and scalability.
- Contribute to strategic planning for the pipeline initiatives.
- 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, including contributing to laboratory‑wide discussions on developments within the field.
- Assist in mentoring graduate students and other members of the research group where appropriate.
- Collaborate with experts at the forefront of research on AI, automation, and generative biology across the EIT ecosystem.
- Assist in the translation of scientific results into commercial opportunities consistent with the EIT humane endeavors.
- Recognise the acting on opportunities for the creation of IP and cooperating in patent protection and in impact delivery.
The successful candidate will have a strong background in large‑scale crop transformation in an industrial or academic setting. This role offers a unique opportunity to run a high‑throughput pipeline while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to drive innovation from lab to global impact. The candidate will be expected to play an active role in translating research into commercially applicable tools to advance trait programs and delivering commercial solutions aligned with EIT’s mission of humane technological advancement.
Essential Skills, Qualifications & Experience:
- Master’s or PhD in Plant Biology, Plant Biotechnology, or related field.
- Extensive hands‑on experience developing high‑throughput plant transformation and tissue‑culture systems across multiple crop species.
- Demonstrated experience improving transformation efficiency and regeneration outcomes in elite lines.
- Experience leading technical teams or managing complex workflows.
- Strong understanding of genome editing platforms (CRISPR/Cas systems).
- Experience in planning and management tools like spreadsheets, Microsoft Planner, LIMS, ELN, or Confluence.
- Ability to build both internal and external relationships.
- Clear and demonstrable problem‑solving skills.
- Excellent written communication and report writing skills.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- Experience working in industrial or high‑throughput R&D settings.
- Experience across multiple crop species.
- Familiarity with phenotyping, digital data capture, or automation integration.
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 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 include publication, conferences, spin‑out generation, and leadership development.
Crop Transformation Pipeline Manager - Plant Biology Institute Plant Biology Institute Oxford, [...] employer: Ellison Institute, LLC
At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work culture that fosters innovation and excellence. Our state-of-the-art facilities in Oxford provide researchers with the resources they need to make a real-world impact in plant science, while our commitment to professional development ensures that employees have ample opportunities for growth and advancement. Join us to be part of a mission-driven team dedicated to tackling global challenges in food security and sustainability.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Crop Transformation Pipeline Manager - Plant Biology Institute Plant Biology Institute Oxford, [...]
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend relevant events, and connect with researchers at the Plant Biology Institute. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for plant science! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your excitement about the field and how you can contribute to their mission. Authentic enthusiasm can set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the latest trends in crop transformation and plant biotechnology. Being well-informed will help you impress interviewers and demonstrate your commitment to advancing the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our innovative team at EIT.
We think you need these skills to ace Crop Transformation Pipeline Manager - Plant Biology Institute Plant Biology Institute Oxford, [...]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Crop Transformation Pipeline Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in plant biology and any specific projects that align with our mission at EIT.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills can contribute to our goals. Talk about your hands-on experience with high-throughput plant transformation and how you’ve improved efficiency in past roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We want to see your passion and expertise without getting lost in complex terminology.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ellison Institute, LLC
✨Know Your Science
Make sure you brush up on the latest advancements in plant biology and crop transformation. Familiarise yourself with techniques like CRISPR and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, as well as any recent breakthroughs in the field. This will not only show your passion but also your commitment to staying at the forefront of research.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Crop Transformation Pipeline Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past. Highlight your mentoring experiences and how you've driven improvements in workflows. This will demonstrate your capability to lead and inspire others.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions related to high-throughput transformation systems and tissue culture protocols. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've encountered and how you overcame them. This is your chance to showcase your problem-solving skills and practical experience.
✨Align with EIT's Mission
Understand EIT's mission and values deeply. Think about how your work can contribute to their goals of food security and sustainable agriculture. Be prepared to discuss how you can translate scientific discoveries into real-world applications, which is key to making a lasting impact.
