Senior Group Leader

Description:

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) is seeking a visionary and accomplished Senior Group Leader in Plant and Cell Tissue Culture to lead a transformative research programme within its Plant Biology Institute, headed by Professor Steve Kelly. This role is pivotal in shaping a rapidly scaling institute dedicated to advancing plant biotechnology solutions that address humanity’s most pressing challenges, including sustainable agriculture, global food security, climate change, and the decarbonisation of plant-based production systems for food and medicines.

The Plant Biology Institute unites world-class researchers to push the boundaries of plant science, aiming to improve food production while enhancing planetary health. With access to cutting-edge laboratories, plant growth facilities, and cross-disciplinary collaboration with experts in AI, automation, and generative biology, the successful candidate will drive scientific excellence while ensuring research translates into real-world impact and commercial sustainability.

This senior leadership role requires both scientific brilliance and strategic vision to guide research from fundamental discovery to scalable applications. It offers the rare opportunity to set the scientific direction of a next-generation hub that benefits from long-term funding and a strong culture of collaboration, innovation, and resilience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the establishment and growth of the Plant Biology Institute, ensuring delivery of scientific excellence, commercial sustainability, and global impact.

• Develop and direct a world-class research programme in plant and cell tissue culture for novel, decarbonised plant-based production of food and medicines.

• Guide research from fundamental discovery through technology development and systems deployment.

• Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of group leaders, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD candidates.

• Build and manage collaborations within EIT Oxford and with global academic, industrial, and commercial partners.

• Publish in top international journals, present research at national and international conferences, and maintain visibility as a thought leader.

• Translate research outcomes into commercial opportunities aligned with EIT’s mission of humane, sustainable innovation.

• Oversee project resources, milestones, and stage-gated decision-making processes.

• Ensure compliance with EIT’s policies, good research practice, and intellectual property management.

Requirements (Essential):

• Proven leadership of research groups in academia or industry.

• Recognised authority in plant biology, cell tissue culture, or related fields.

• Track record of managing scientific teams and interdisciplinary research.

• Experience in delivering large-scale, strategic research programmes.

• Commercial awareness and ability to translate scientific discovery into diverse applications (pharmaceuticals, oils, food, plant-based technologies).

• Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills across disciplines and sectors.

• Demonstrated success in resource planning, project management, and communication.

What’s on Offer:

• Competitive salary package.

• Substantial core funding for research programmes.

• Access to state-of-the-art laboratories, plant growth facilities, and a collaborative research environment.

• Opportunities for professional development including publication, IP portfolio creation, spin-out generation, and conference participation.

• Enhanced holiday pay.

• Pension and life assurance.

• Income protection and private medical insurance (including hospital cash plan and therapy services).

• Additional perks: Perk Box, electric car scheme, wellbeing initiatives.

Why Join EIT:
The Ellison Institute of Technology fosters an inclusive, collaborative culture that values creativity, emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience. With its upcoming state-of-the-art Oxford Science Park campus, EIT is positioning itself as a global leader in solving humanity’s most challenging problems through science, technology, and innovation. This is a unique opportunity for a pioneering leader to make a lasting impact on global food security, sustainable agriculture, and planetary health.