At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative research in crop transformation to enhance food production and sustainability.
- Company: Join the Ellison Institute of Technology, a leader in scientific discovery and innovation.
- 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 on global food security and climate change through cutting-edge plant science.
- Qualifications: PhD in Plant Biotechnology or MSc with hands-on expertise in crop transformation.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ 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. 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 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.
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 laboratory 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: At EIT we are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Senior Research Associate in the Crop Transformation Pipeline team at the pioneering Plant Biology Institute. The Senior Researcher will lead execution and optimization of elite germplasm transformation workflows for Corn. This role focuses on throughput, reproducibility, and industrial‑grade delivery of high‑quality transgenic and gene edited events. The candidate will serve as a technical anchor for corn transformation pipeline performance, LIMS integration, and continuous process improvement.
Your Responsibilities: You will play a pivotal role in advancing the crop transformation pipeline. Successful candidates will focus on high throughput transformation in elite corn lines. The key responsibilities include:
- Execute and optimise Agrobacterium/Particle bombardment‑mediated transformation systems in elite crop lines.
- Drive transformation efficiency (TE) improvements and regeneration consistency.
- Troubleshoot genotype‑specific performance issues using conventional and breakthrough technologies in transformation and regeneration.
- Develop detailed experimental plans, milestone tracking, and resource forecasting for day‑to‑day activities in the pipeline.
- Experimental design, statistical analysis, monitoring and writing clear and consolidated reports in ELN or Confluence.
- Train and mentor Research Associates.
- Standardise SOPs and ensure rigorous documentation.
- Interface with automation/AI team to improve throughput.
- Collaborate with the Pipeline and transformation enabling team to integrate automation into biological workflows.
- Define performance metrics and continuously optimise system throughput.
- Contribute to long‑term digital transformation strategy.
- 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.
- 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 publications, 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 crop transformation enabling technologies in an industrial or academic setting. 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 programs and delivering 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.
Requirements: Essential Skills, Qualifications & Experience:
- PhD in Plant Biotechnology, or MSc with substantial hands‑on expertise in elite crop transformation.
- Demonstrated success in transforming commercial or elite germplasm.
- Strong tissue culture and regeneration expertise.
- Experience with LIMS and structured experimental planning.
- Proven troubleshooting and optimisation skills in complex biological systems.
- Ability to build both internal and external relationships.
- Working collaboratively with others outside of their discipline.
- Clear and demonstrable problem‑solving skills.
- Excellent problem‑solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Excellent written communication and report writing skills.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- Experience in high throughput elite corn transformation.
- Experience with GLP & Quality management systems.
- Experience integrating multiple technologies to enhance transformation efficiency.
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 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.
Senior Research Associate, Corn Transformation Pipeline in Oxford employer: Ellison Institute of Technology
At the Ellison Institute of Technology, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence. Our state-of-the-art facilities in Oxford provide a dynamic environment for researchers to thrive, with ample opportunities for professional growth through mentorship, publication, and leadership development. Join us in our mission to create impactful solutions for global challenges while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package that supports your well-being and work-life balance.
Contact Details:
Ellison Institute of Technology Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Associate, Corn Transformation Pipeline 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 biotechnology. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your past projects and achievements in crop transformation. This will give potential employers a clear idea of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses. Focus on articulating your experience with Agrobacterium and particle bombardment systems clearly and confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission at EIT. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills align with our goals in sustainable agriculture and climate change.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Associate, Corn Transformation Pipeline in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for plant science and innovation shine through. We want to see your curiosity and drive to tackle global challenges, so don’t hold back on sharing what excites you about this role!
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with the responsibilities of the Senior Research Associate position. We’re looking for specific examples of your work in crop transformation and how you've contributed to similar projects in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:While we love detail, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your application well. This will help us easily understand your qualifications and how you can contribute to our mission at EIT.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your commitment to joining our team at EIT!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ellison Institute of Technology
✨Know Your Science
Make sure you brush up on the latest advancements in plant biotechnology and crop transformation. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with elite germplasm and how you've tackled challenges in previous projects. This shows your passion and expertise, which is crucial for a role at the Plant Biology Institute.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions about Agrobacterium and particle bombardment-mediated transformation systems. Prepare examples of how you've improved transformation efficiency or solved genotype-specific issues. Being able to articulate your problem-solving process will impress the interviewers.
✨Showcase Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working with cross-functional teams, be ready to share examples of successful collaborations. Highlight any experiences where you’ve interfaced with automation or AI teams, as well as how you’ve mentored others. This demonstrates your ability to work within a team and contribute to a collaborative environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the institute's research focus and future projects. Inquire about their approach to integrating cutting-edge technologies into their workflows. This not only shows your interest in the role but also your eagerness to contribute to their mission of impactful scientific discovery.
