Plant-Insect Group Leader

The John Innes Centre (JIC) seeks a visionary Group Leader to lead research on plant-arthropod interactions, including insects.

The role focuses on how arthropods and their associated microorganisms, such as symbionts and insect-transmitted pathogens, influence plant functions, including immunity, specialized metabolites, development, and environmental responses. We welcome applications from scientists with expertise in analyses of genetic processes, biochemical pathways, or evolutionary and population genomics.

This position will primarily focus on fundamental discovery science, with opportunity to exploit JIC’s extensive resources and state-of-the-art plant growth facilities. Research outcomes may be applied to enhance crop resistance to arthropods, including key species such as wheat, barley, oilseed rape, and legumes like peas, and support is provided in knowledge exchange and translation.

By joining a vibrant plant and microbial research community, there are opportunities for the candidate’s research to synergise with that of others.

The successful candidate will be offered an initial six-year tenure-track position, with the opportunity to apply for tenure during this period, subject to review. We may consider appointing a tenured position directly.

Facilities and Support

The successful candidate will have access to a fully staffed and equipped Entomology and Insectary facility, licensed for rearing quarantine and transgenic organisms. The role comes with a full-time research assistant, a well-equipped laboratory, and additional support including a laboratory manager and media preparation kitchen. You will also benefit from cutting-edge technology platforms, such as bioimaging and microscopy, proteomics, biochemistry, structural biology, crop transformation, and horticultural services. Explore the full range of platforms here. JIC's newly built 110-hectare field experimentation station integrates lab and field research on one site, providing a seamless research experience.

Why Join JIC?

This is an exciting time to join JIC as we advance our ambitious Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet (HP3) vision and build new, cutting-edge facilities.

The HP3 project, in association with our colleagues at The Sainsbury Laboratory, is a £400 million investment in state-of-the-art laboratories, glasshouses, controlled environment chambers, and platform technologies offering un-paralleled research infrastructure. These laboratories, which will open in 2029, will be equipped with the very latest equipment in analytical biochemistry, genomics, bio-imaging and structural biology, supported by a dedicated new Data Centre with the very latest, future-proofed computational infrastructure and support in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Of specific importance to this role will be a new Insectary which will be globally leading in its size, scope and standard. The HP3 investment builds on the recognised position of JIC as the UK hub for plant and microbial science and an international centre of excellences.

You will work alongside a diverse community of researchers across various disciplines, including expertise in mathematics, structural biology, and chemistry, as well as plant and microbial scientists, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages strategic input at all levels. JIC offers substantial support for professional development, research, and administrative tasks. Start-up research funding will be provided, in addition to well-funded facilities and extensive support.

The John Innes Centre is part of the wider vision of the Norwich Research Park (NRP), along with The Sainsbury Laboratory, which focuses on plant-microbe interactions and crop diseases, The Earlham Institute which studies living systems with a strong emphasis on evolutionary functional genomics and informatics, and The Quadram Institute which has leading programmes on food science, nutrition, and gut microbiology. The NRP also houses one of the largest teaching hospitals in the UK, with research strengths in gut health and nutrition, and is adjacent to the University of East Anglia, which has world-leading research in climate science and international development, as well as strong science and engineering faculties. Collectively, the NRP employs around 3000 PhD scientists and is a vibrant, collaborative and intellectually stimulating research environment.

Equality and Inclusion

JIC is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or personal characteristics. JIC holds the prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award, recognizing our dedication to advancing gender equality. We are also a Disability Confident Employer and a Stonewall Diversity Champion. We offer a stimulating and inclusive research environment and actively promote a family-friendly workplace.. We encourage applications from candidates seeking full-time, part-time, or flexible working arrangements. We particularly encourage applications from women and ethnic minorities.

Application Process

Interested applicants are invited to submit the following documents:

• CV
• Covering letter
• A description of current research activities (2-3 pages)
• Short- and long-term research goals (2-3 pages)

We encourage you to highlight how your research could contribute to JIC’s four strategic research programmes (see here). Please combine these documents with your CV and a cover letter explaining your motivation for applying for the Group Leader position at JIC.

Submit your application by close of business on Friday 3^rd January 2025.

For more information and details on how to apply, please click the 'Apply' button

Interviews are scheduled for 3^rd /4^th of February 2025 at the John Innes Centre.

Additional Benefits of Joining JIC:

• Join an outstanding team of colleagues working across an unparalleled range of cutting-edge interdisciplinary plant and microbial science.
• Competitive start-up package, including funding for a research assistant/postdoc (£42K), access to student schemes (£105K for a 4-year student), basic lab equipment (>£100K), and access to platform services such as horticulture, bioimaging, and proteomics (£50-100K per year).
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities, including field phenotyping (field station 10 minutes away by bike), growth rooms, glasshouses, and bioimaging, chemistry, biophysics, metabolomics, proteomics, and structural biology platforms, as well as quarantine insect/invertebrate and pathogen research.
• A flat management structure fostering a collegial atmosphere.
• Over £300 million in new investment, demonstrating a commitment to JIC as the UK's centre of excellence in plant and microbial science.
• Opportunities to influence science policy at regional, national, and international levels.
• The benefits of living in Norwich—affordable housing, proximity to the coast (20 miles), and an attractive city and countryside. Norwich also has an international airport for easy travel.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) and is grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.