Plant Physiology Scientist in Abingdon

At Wild Bio we are radically enhancing crops to feed the world sustainably and promote a wilder planet. Wild plants have had half a billion years to evolve natural solutions for thriving in almost every environment on Earth. Our proprietary genetics platform harnesses these wild innovations to enhance the world’s most important crops. Wild-enhanced crops would simultaneously boost farm yields and promote gigaton-scale carbon mitigation strategies. If you’re looking for a start-up that has enormous potential for impact on growers, consumers, and the planet, please read on. Wild Bio is a well-funded, fast-paced Oxford University spin-out working from state-of-the-art labs and offices at Milton Park, Oxfordshire. We are about to enter an exciting phase of growth and are looking for a driven, and curious Scientist to join us and significantly contribute to delivering the change we believe in.

Our Values

• Curiosity: We fuel our desire to explore the unknown, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and sparking innovation. We ask questions, seek answers, and embrace lifelong learning.
• Community: We believe in the strength and support gained through collaboration and inclusion. As part of a global community, we nurture connections to drive meaningful impact for both people and planet.
• Courage: We face challenges head-on, take calculated risks, and stand up for our beliefs. Our bravery propels us to take action, even in the face of adversity.

If these values resonate with you, we invite you to join our team of passionate scientists and innovators working at the cutting edge of bioscience.

The Role

We are looking for a Plant Physiology Scientist to support our R&D pipeline, combining strong expertise in plant physiology with data analysis and experimental design. This role will focus on developing new methods to screen a pipeline of innovative traits and directly contribute to advancing crop resilience and productivity.

Job Requirements

• Design and execute experiments to measure crop performance in detail, driving forward multiple research programmes with support from a multidisciplinary team of scientists and technicians.
• Develop and optimise experimental methods to test specific mechanistic hypothesis, using a combination of agronomic, physiology, and omics approaches.
• Collaborate closely with scientists and agronomists to understand research objectives and provide data-driven insights.
• Collect and analyse plant physiological data using tools such as LI-COR systems (e.g. gas-exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence).
• Develop and optimise phenotyping pipelines to support experimental workflows.
• Analyse and interpret data from controlled environment and field experiments, identifying key findings and recommending next steps.
• Maintain clear and accurate experimental records, and communicate results through presentations and reports.
• Support and mentor colleagues, contributing to a collaborative and high-performing team environment.

Job Responsibilities

• PhD in Plant Physiology, Plant Biology, or a related field, or equivalent experience (typically 5+ years) in plant science research.
• Proven track record in crop physiology research (e.g. maize, soybean, wheat or similar), including experimental design across controlled environments and/or field trials, and robust data analysis and statistical interpretation.
• Experience contributing to the technical delivery of research projects, with the ability to manage experimental workflows and timelines.
• Experience working in a commercial or industry research environment is desirable.
• Take initiative where needed with tasks that have not been assigned.
• Collaborate effectively in a multi-disciplinary environment, building relationships, and gaining trust through honesty, compassion, and authenticity.
• A curious and courageous mindset – someone who enjoys trying new things and taking initiative in a fast-paced environment.
• A desire to develop your skills, share your knowledge, and support the growth of your teammates.

Location

We’re headquartered in Milton Park, a business and technology park in Oxfordshire. While we do offer flexible and hybrid working, we are also a small, fast-paced team working on cutting-edge science, and we believe the relationships forged and the work we do in-person will be crucial for our success. For this reason, we are asking that applicants be able to work on-site at least five days a week.