(Senior) Group Leader, Plant Phenotyping – Plant Biology Institute

Group Leader/Senior Group Leader, Plant Phenotyping

The Plant Biology Institute (PBI), part of the Ellison Institute of Technology, aims to develop commercially sustainable solutions that improve global food production and planetary health through pioneering plant science research. The Institute is rapidly expanding and seeks a visionary leader to design and drive an innovative research programme in plant phenotyping and data‑driven plant science.

Your Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage PBI’s automated phenotyping function, delivering robust analytical capabilities to support whole‑plant, plant‑cell, and tissue‑culture phenotyping.
• Develop and implement image‑ and sensor‑based phenotyping strategies and workflows that support the experimental programmes of PBI.
• Collaborate closely with researchers and group leads to refine phenotyping pipelines for analysing plants, plant cells, and tissue culture.
• Recruit, lead, and mentor a multidisciplinary team (biology, engineering, data science, automation) to build capacity in automated phenotyping, analysis, and interpretation.
• Create and maintain pipelines for processing phenotyping data, ensuring reproducibility, version control, and thorough documentation.
• Research at the cutting edge of automated phenotyping, developing new methodologies and applications to accelerate discovery.
• Manage resources—including personnel, equipment, and budget—in coordination with senior leadership.
• Direct research activities, including experimental design, execution, and data interpretation, ensuring rigorous and reproducible scientific outcomes.
• Guide the research program through stage‑gated milestones, making no‑go decisions based on validated data and planning for future scale‑up.
• Ensure research compliance with EIT policy, regulatory guidance, and best scientific practice.
• Translate research findings into commercial opportunities, recognising and protecting intellectual property in line with EIT’s humane endeavours.

Essential Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

• Proven leadership of research groups in academia or industry.
• Recognised thought leader in plant phenotyping or a related field.
• Strong record of managing scientific output for teams of PhDs/Post‑doctoral researchers.
• Experience delivering long‑term strategic research programmes.
• Experience managing large interdisciplinary research teams.
• Commercial awareness and success in translating research into applications, including partnership development with engineering, technical partners, and licensees.
• Project management, communication, and resource allocation experience.
• Ability to build internal and external relationships, collaborating across disciplines.

Benefits & Opportunities:

• Competitive salary plus travel allowance and bonus.
• Enhanced holiday and options to purchase additional days.
• Pension scheme.
• 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 with substantial core funding.
• Collaborative research environment focused on sustainable agriculture and climate solutions.
• Professional development opportunities (publication, conferences, IP portfolio creation, spin‑out generation, leadership training).

Applicants are encouraged to apply before the role is closed. EIT is an equal opportunities employer.

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