Senior Group Leader, Yield and Photosynthesis - Plant Biology Institute

About EIT

At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we are 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
• Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
• Climate Change & Managing CO₂

The Plant Biology Institute, headed by Professor Steve Kelly, is a key part of EIT Oxford. Its aim is to develop impactful and commercially sustainable solutions for improving global food production and planetary health through pioneering plant science research. The Institute focuses on enhancing food production while improving climate and ecosystem outcomes, embedding cutting‑edge research within an organization that scales solutions quickly.

Areas of exploration include:

• Improved plant productivity, both indoors and outdoors
• Reduced reliance on inputs such as water, fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides
• Novel decarbonised plant‑based production platforms for food and medicines
• Advanced technologies that accelerate discovery and deployment in plants

Researchers will have access to state‑of‑the‑art laboratories, plant growth facilities and opportunities to collaborate across EIT’s AI, automation and generative biology expertise. They will work with global leaders in market development, commercialisation and impact creation.

We are seeking a visionary and accomplished Senior Group Leader – Group Leader in Yield and Photosynthesis to shape a newly established Plant Biology Institute that aspires to become a global leader in delivering scientific breakthroughs with real‑world impact.

• Leadership
  :
  Contribute to the development and expansion of the institute over the next five years; establish and lead a research group focused on photosynthesis, carbon fixation, plant metabolism and yield improvement; design and execute projects that advance both foundational understanding and applied innovation; recruit and lead a top‑talent team of post‑docs and PhD candidates, setting clear performance targets and fostering a positive culture aligned with EIT Oxford values.
• Research Designed for Impact
  :
  Plan and communicate the scientific direction of the yield and photosynthesis research programme; supervise projects personally and oversee delegated work, providing intellectual energy and independent thinking; drive rigorous experimental design, execution and data interpretation; manage research programmes through stage‑gated milestones with data‑driven decisions; manage project resources, including personnel, equipment and budgets in coordination with senior leadership; ensure ethical compliance and adherence to EIT policy;
  
  generate and maintain collaborations across EIT Oxford and the wider scientific and commercial ecosystem; translate research outcomes into commercial opportunities and protect intellectual property.

• Leader of research group(s) within academia or industry
• Recognised thought leader in the field
• Proven ability to manage scientific output for a team of PhD/Post‑doctoral researchers
• Experience delivering long‑term strategic research programmes
• Experience managing a large, interdisciplinary team of researchers and scientists
• Demonstrated commercial awareness and versatility of research that could serve diverse applications (e.g., oils, pharmaceuticals, foods); developed partnerships with engineering, technical partners and licensees/channel partners
• Project management, communication and resource allocation experience
• Ability to build internal and external relationships and collaborate across disciplines

• Competitive salary + 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

• State‑of‑the‑art laboratories and growth facilities, core scientific and operational support, and substantial core funding to support a research group
• A collaborative environment with highly skilled teams working at the cutting‑edge of plant science to create commercially sustainable solutions that tackle humanity’s biggest challenges
• Opportunities for professional development including publication, conferences, IP portfolio creation, spin‑out generation and leadership development