Scientist​/Senior Scientist - Innovation Pilot Lead

Overview

The successful candidate will work with scientists and business development managers across the 2

Blades laboratories at The Sainsbury Laboratory (UK) and the University of Minnesota (USA) to address market-driven challenges in crop protection and trait development. The role focuses on designing, building, and validating innovative technologies, methods, and proof-of-concept solutions that address industry needs and enable new products and approaches. The position requires independence to drive projects from concept to implementation and to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to deliver practical, scalable solutions.

• Design, build, and validate innovative technologies, methods, and proof-of-concept solutions that address industry needs.
• Drive projects from concept to implementation and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams to deliver practical, scalable solutions.
• Lead specific innovation piloting efforts as part of the 2
  
  Blades Innovation Pilot program.
• Translate scientific ideas into practical solutions that advance disease resistance and other valuable crop traits toward commercial applications.

• PhD in plant biology, molecular biology, biotechnology, computational biology, or a related discipline.
• Strong expertise in molecular biology and experimental design.
• Experience in developing and implementing novel technologies, assays, workflows, or computational approaches.
• Strong computational and data-analysis skills, including application of bioinformatic and AI-driven tools.
• Broad understanding of modern molecular and computational approaches, including protein engineering and structural biology.
• Excellent critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work independently and drive projects from concept to implementation.
• Commitment to high standards of data quality, record-keeping, and laboratory practice.
• Experience with high-throughput experimentation, automation, or assay development.
• Experience applying AI or advanced computational approaches to biological research.
• Experience with crop improvement, plant-pathogen interactions, or agricultural biotechnology.
• Experience with transient expression systems, including protoplast assays.

• Experience working with commercial partners or translating research into applied outcomes.

The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) is a world leader in plant and microbial science focused on plant–microbe interactions. 2

Blades is a USA-based charitable organization advancing crop-disease solutions through field delivery and collaboration with leading research institutions. The role sits at the intersection of fundamental discovery and applied translation, contributing to disease resistance and other valuable traits in crops.

Salary will be within the UK university salary scale (grade and range determined by qualifications, skills, and experience). Applicants who require visa sponsorship may be eligible, subject to individual assessment and UK immigration requirements. Benefits include 30 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and opportunities for skills development. The position is based on an attractive campus with cultural and recreational activities.