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- Tasks: Lead AI & automation projects to transform plant science and enhance food production.
- Company: Join the innovative Ellison Institute of Technology, tackling global challenges with cutting-edge research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, enhanced holiday, private medical insurance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact in sustainable agriculture and climate solutions through pioneering plant science.
- Qualifications: PhD in Plant Molecular Biology or related field, with expertise in crop transformation technologies.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ 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 COâ‚‚
- 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. Together we push boundaries, embrace complexity, and create solutions to scale ideas from lab to society.
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 focused on expanding the frontiers of plant science. Our research is centered on enhancing our ability to feed the planet while simultaneously improving the climate and ecosystem outcomes of food production. By embedding cutting‑edge plant science research within an organisation that is focused on solving global challenges at scale, we aim to accelerate the timeline from 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 laboratories and plant growth facilities and have 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 the unique scale and ambition of its vision.
Your Role: We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Lead for AI & Automation for Plant Transformation to join the Transformation Facility at the pioneering Plant Biology Institute. The candidate will work closely with the AI & Robotics (AIR) team at EIT and other external partners, providing plant sciences subject matter expertise to co‑develop AI and automation solutions that transform and accelerate plant transformation workflows while enhancing pipeline efficiency.
The successful candidate will work within a matrixed, cross‑functional project team to guide the design and deployment of technology which integrates robotics, computer vision, and data infrastructure to enable scalable, reproducible and data‑rich transformation platforms, supporting the team with subject matter expertise, structured project planning and execution, and accountability for outcomes.
This role offers a unique opportunity to establish an applied technologies team 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 programmes and deliver commercial solutions aligned with EIT’s mission of humane technological advancement. This is an exciting opportunity to develop as a leader in a dynamic, well‑supported, and purpose‑driven environment.
Your Responsibilities:
- Provide plant sciences subject matter expertise to design, develop and implement automated robotic systems for transformation and tissue culture workflows.
- Co‑develop computer vision systems for the transformation pipeline, validate phenotyping and automation tools, and optimise performance.
- Lead the data strategy and validation of predictive ML models to optimize transformation efficiency and regeneration success.
- Partner with AIR and data engineering teams to establish robust data pipelines for predictive modelling using multilayer phenotyping and automation data in high‑throughput transformation pipelines.
- Provide scientific and project leadership to researchers and engineers in applied AI/ML and automation engineering within a matrix team structure.
- Co‑develop and manage project plans, timelines, and reporting frameworks to ensure delivery of technical milestones and progression towards deployable products.
- Provide oversight and accountability within PBI for this matrixed project team ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and commitments.
- Engage stakeholders across the transformation team, wider PBI, AIR, and external partners to ensure transparent communication, progress reporting and expectation management.
- Contribute to long‑term digital transformation strategy.
- Deploy automated robotic systems for transformation and tissue culture workflows.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to incorporate cutting‑edge applied technologies to develop commercial products.
- Present scientific work at seminars within EIT and at external meetings or conferences, including contributing to laboratory‑wide discussions on developments within the field.
- Mentor 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.
- Provide regulatory structure reporting on progress, risks and delivery status.
- Assist in translating scientific results into publications, commercial opportunities consistent with the EIT humane endeavors.
- Recognise the acting on opportunities for the creation of IP and cooperate in patent protection and in impact delivery.
- Experience moving innovations beyond proof of concept and towards validated, scalable and impactful products.
Requirements:
Essential Skills, Qualifications & Experience:- PhD in Plant Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology, or Plant Biotechnology.
- Background in crop transformation enabling technologies in an industrial or academic setting.
- Strong expertise in plant regeneration, morphogenesis, and transformation systems for elite lines or recalcitrant crops.
- Experience manipulating developmental regulators to enhance regeneration and transformation efficiency.
- Track record of innovation in transformation or regeneration biology.
- Ability to translate mechanistic biology into practical applications.
- Experience with planning and management tools such as spreadsheets, Microsoft Planner, LIMS, ELN, or Confluence.
- Demonstrated experience in project leadership, cross‑functional team coordination, and delivery accountability.
- Understand or have a desire to understand the path to impact for the research area in question and consider user feedback and market research in designing experiments.
- Ability to build both internal and external relationships, working collaboratively with others outside of their discipline.
- Clear and demonstrable problem‑solving skills.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Excellent written communication and report‑writing skills.
- Experience in plant biology or controlled environment automation systems.
- Experience with computer vision in biological imaging contexts.
- Experience integrating hardware, software, and biological workflows.
- Experience leading matrixed or cross‑institutional project teams.
- Experience progressing research platforms toward product development.
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 including publication, conferences, spin‑out generation, and leadership development.
AI & Automation Lead for Plant Transformation - Plant Biology Institute in Oxford employer: Ellison Institute of Technology
Contact Detail:
Ellison Institute of Technology Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land AI & Automation Lead for Plant Transformation - Plant Biology Institute in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend conferences, workshops, or even local meetups related to plant biology and AI. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those that align with AI and automation in plant transformation. This will give potential employers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply – engage! When you find a role that excites you, reach out to current employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and the company culture. This not only shows your interest but can also give you valuable insights for your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative to apply directly. It shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our mission at EIT. Plus, it makes it easier for us to track your application!
We think you need these skills to ace AI & Automation Lead for Plant Transformation - Plant Biology Institute in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in plant biology and automation. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at the Plant Biology Institute!
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for plant science and AI shine through in your application. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about making a difference in global food production and sustainability.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your achievements and experiences are easy to understand and directly related to the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ellison Institute of Technology
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your plant molecular biology and transformation technologies. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the role. The interviewers will want to see that you can translate complex scientific concepts into practical applications.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves project leadership and cross-functional team coordination, prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight your ability to manage timelines and deliverables while keeping everyone aligned and motivated.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This position requires working with various teams, so be prepared to talk about your experience collaborating with others. Share specific instances where you’ve built relationships across disciplines and how that contributed to successful outcomes.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think of challenges you've faced in your research or projects and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your critical thinking abilities and your approach to tackling complex issues in plant science.