Lead Mycologist

Rhizocore is an innovative biotechnology company based at Roslin Innovation Centre, developing pioneering mycorrhizal fungal technologies that improve tree establishment, ecological restoration and increase soil carbon sequestration. We are seeking an exceptional Lead Mycologist to take ownership of our fungal strain library as we continue to expand the business.

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced mycologist to combine field taxonomy, molecular biology, fungal culturing, and operational leadership in a role with real environmental impact.

You will lead the strategic and operational expansion of Rhizocore’s fungal collection - sourcing, identifying, preserving, and scaling native ectomycorrhizal fungi for product development and commercial deployment into forestry and reforestation projects.

You will have oversight of:

• Field expeditions across the UK and internationally to collect fungal specimens
• Laboratory leadership
  , developing novel culturing and preservation methods
• Operational management
  , overseeing strain library growth, team activity, and scientific priorities
• Product Development and Application
  , helping bring cutting-edge mycology into large-scale forestry deployment

We’d love to hear from candidates with:

• Strong fungal taxonomy and identification expertise
• Hands-on experience in fungal isolation, aseptic culturing, and microscopy
• Molecular biology capability including DNA extraction, PCR, and barcoding
• Leadership experience managing teams, projects, or scientific operations
• Excellent organisational and expedition-planning skills
• Budget and project management experience

• Media formulation and optimisation expertise
• Existing links to mycological networks or fungal recording groups
• Outdoor leadership / remote fieldwork experience

• Work on genuinely novel applied mycology
• Build solutions for climate resilience, forestry health, and biodiversity recovery
• Join a high-growth biotech at a pivotal scale-up stage
• Flexible working arrangements
• Strong wellbeing and development focus
• Opportunity to influence both scientific direction and operational strategy