Senior Group Leader – Nitrogen Fixation in Plants in Oxford

Join us at the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), where we are 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 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, headed by Professor Steve Kelly. The institute aims to develop impactful and commercially sustainable solutions for improving global food production and planetary health through pioneering plant science research. Our research focuses on enhancing our ability to feed the planet while simultaneously improving the climate and ecosystem outcomes of food production.

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 an inspiring and strategic Senior Group Leader/Group Leader in Nitrogen Fixation to lead a flagship research programme within the rapidly expanding Plant Biology Institute. This senior leadership position offers a unique opportunity to shape the scientific and operational foundations of a world-class research team dedicated to developing innovative, purpose-driven solutions in biological nitrogen fixation.

Your Responsibilities:

• 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.
• Establish, lead, and continuously evolve a flagship research programme in biological nitrogen fixation in plants, with a particular emphasis on novel nitrogen fixing systems and advanced metabolic and protein engineering.
• Work with internal teams to define the path to impact for the research program.
• Design and execute research programs ensuring that all research programs are value and purpose driven.
• Recruit and lead a top talent team of research scientists including post docs and PhD candidates.
• Manage based on clear performance targets and with accountability.
• Maintain a positive, engaged culture, in line with EIT Oxford values.

Research designed for impact:

• Contribute to planning and communicating the scientific direction of the nitrogen fixation program aimed at engineering biological nitrogen fixation into plants.
• Direct the activities of the research group by supervising some projects personally and overseeing projects delegated to group members.
• Drive rigorous experimental design, execution, and data interpretation, ensuring robust and reproducible scientific outcomes.
• Manage research program through stage gated milestones, with active, no/no-go decisions based on validated research data.
• Manage project resources - including personnel, equipment, and budgets - in coordination with the senior leadership team.
• Ensure research is conducted ethically and in compliance with EIT policy, regulatory guidance, and best scientific practice.
• Generate, maintain and manage collaborations with key teams across EIT Oxford and in the wider scientific and commercial ecosystem.
• Work with the translation team within EIT to translate the results of research into commercial opportunities consistent with EIT's humane endeavours.

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/Post doctoral researchers.
• Experience delivering against long term strategic research programs.
• Experience of managing a large team of researchers and scientists.
• Project management, communication and resource allocation experience.
• Ability to build both internal and external relationships.

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, with substantial core funding.
• A collaborative research environment with a highly skilled team working at the cutting edge of plant science.
• Opportunities for professional development including publication, conferences, IP portfolio creation, spin-out generation, and leadership development.