Senior Group Leader; Nitrogen Fixation - Plant Biology Institute Plant Biology Institute Oxfor

Led by a world-class faculty of scientists, technologists, policy makers, economists and entrepreneurs, the Ellison Institute of Technology aims to develop and deploy commercially sustainable solutions to solve some of humanity's most enduring challenges. Our work is guided by four Humane Endeavours:
Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology, Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change & Managing Atmospheric CO2 and Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.

Set for completion in 2027, the EIT Campus in Littlemore will include more than 300,000 sq ft of research laboratories, educational and gathering spaces. Fuelled by growing ambition and the strength of Oxford's science ecosystem, EIT is now expanding its footprint to a 2 million sq ft Campus across the western part of The Oxford Science Park. Designed by Foster + Partners led by Lord Norman Foster, this will become a transformative workplace for up to 7,000 people, with autonomous laboratories, purpose-built laboratories including a plant sciences building and dynamic spaces to spark interdisciplinary collaboration.

EIT fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and resilience, valuing diverse expertise to drive sustainable solutions to humanity's enduring challenges.

The Plant Biology Institute, headed by Professor Steve Kelly, is a key part of the Ellison Institute of Technology. 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.

EIT is seeking an inspiring and strategic Senior Group Leader in Nitrogen Fixation to lead a flagship research programme within its rapidly expanding Plant Biology Institute. This senior leadership position offers a unique opportunity to shape the scientific and operational foundations of a world class research team dedicated to developing innovative, purpose driven solutions in biological nitrogen fixation. You will play a central role in establishing EIT's global leadership in plant science by recruiting and managing top tier talent, forging impactful collaborations, and driving translational research from lab to field.

With a clear focus on scientific excellence, commercial viability, and global impact, this role is ideal for a recognised thought leader ready to pioneer transformative science aligned with EIT's values and mission to tackle humanity's greatest challenges.

• To take a leading role in the establishment and growth of the institute ensuring that it delivers on its vision to achieve scientific excellence, real world impact and commercial sustainability.
• Develop and lead a world class research program in engineering biological nitrogen fixation in plants.
• To understand the path to impact for the research program. To design and execute programs that consider user feedback and…