Main Purpose of the Job

· Lead and be responsible for the strategic direction, design and delivery of the MSc degree curriculum.
· Deliver lectures, seminars, laboratory practicals and other key training to MSc students.
· As academic advisor to all MSc students, provide pastoral care and mentoring in relation to their future career progression.
· Develop and nurture further links with UK agricultural charities to secure academic scholarships for UK students.
· Identify potential sources of scholarships for international students.

Key Relationships

• Work in partnership with University of East Anglia (UEA) Learning and Teaching Services (LTS) to ensure maintenance of academic standards.

• Work in partnership with the UEA Admissions Recruitment and Marketing (ARM) team to maintain an effective student recruitment strategy.

• Maintain and nurture current interactions with the UK plant breeding industry in the delivery of bespoke teaching that meets industry training requirements.

• Work in partnership with JIC colleagues to deliver key training requirements of the degree programme and to coordinate the delivery of teaching.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Lead on the strategic development of the MSc degree curriculum to ensure it continues to meet the training requirements of the plant breeding industry, and for student progression onto PhD programmes.

100

Identify new links with relevant industrial partners that would enhance the MSc curriculum.

Chair the annual MSc course Advisory Board comprised of key stakeholders.

Deliver lectures covering key theoretical concepts and relevant practical training.

Work with colleagues at JIC and our partner institutes across the Norwich Research Park, and relevant industrial partners, in coordinating development and delivery of the taught and research elements of the course.

Work in partnership with our academic partners at the University of East Anglia to ensure appropriate academic regulations are applied, the maintenance of academic standards, and conformity with UK Higher Education quality assurance requirements.

Responsible for enhancing recruitment to the course through effective advertising strategies and securing scholarship funding for UK and international students.

Liaise with UK plant breeders to arrange site visits that enhance student learning and their understanding of contemporary plant breeding in practice.

Responsibility for managing the MSc budget.

Line-manage the MSc Course Administrator.

To undertake regular CPD training in course design, assessment, student feedback and the overall maintenance of academic standards.

As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the role.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

BSc in a Biological Science

Essential

PhD in Plant Science

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

A research or teaching background in the area of plant genetics/plant breeding and/or plant biotechnology

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience in teaching plant science at HE Level 6 or above

Essential

Experience in degree curriculum design and delivery

Essential

Experience of working in a UK HE institution

Desirable

Experience in teaching at Masters level (HE Level 7)

Desirable

Experience of academic mentoring, pastoral care, and advising on career development

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

Essential

Good organisational skills

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of a team

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Ability to travel for off campus site visits (reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability)

Essential

John Innes Centre

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society.

Our research makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences including; cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics and molecular biology.

For more information about working at the John Innes Centre, please click here.

We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. We have a diverse and multicultural scientific community and thrive on our European and international links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk.

We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award, recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion’s programme, a founding signatory of the Tecnician Commitment and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709).

Department

Crop Genetics

The Department of Crop Genetics undertakes fundamental research on the biology of cereals, brassicas and legumes to understand the genetic and molecular basis of phenotypic variation. A major goal is to develop the technologies and knowledge base to provide a predictive framework that will underpin conventional and novel plant breeding strategies. This will enable high-yielding, stress and disease resistant varieties, with a particular end-use quality, suitable for an efficient but benign agriculture.

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

JIC Course Director for the M.Sc in Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement
Salary:            £44,500 - £55,000 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.
Contract:        Indefinite, full or part-time hours available (29.6 – 37 hours per week)
Location:        John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.
Closing date: 21 May 2025
Reference:     1004888

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the role of Course Director for our highly regarded MSc degree programme in Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement at John Innes Centre.

About the John Innes Centre:

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences. We nurture a creative, curiosity-led approach to answering fundamental questions in bioscience, and translate that knowledge into societal benefits. Our strategic vision, Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet, sets out our ambitious long-term goals for the game changing impact of our science globally. 

Our diverse research community includes undergraduate, MSc and PhD student cohorts. Our research expertise, together with our well established links with the plant breeding industry mean we are uniquely positioned to provide Masters level training in plant genetics and crop improvement for students wishing to develop a career in plant breeding or in plant science research. The MSc degree is conferred by our academic partner the University of East Anglia (UEA).

Our employees and students enjoy access to state-of-the-art technology and a diverse range of specialist training opportunities, including support for leadership and management. Click here to find out more about working at the John Innes Centre.

The role:

The role of MSc Course Director will provide you with a broad range of responsibilities, including:
• Lead and be responsible for the strategic direction, design and delivery of the MSc degree curriculum.
• Deliver lectures, seminars, laboratory practicals and other key training to MSc students.
• As academic advisor to all MSc students, provide pastoral care and mentoring in relation to their future career progression.
• Develop and nurture further links with UK agricultural charities to secure academic scholarships for UK students.
• Identify potential sources of scholarships for international students.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills in Masters level course design and teaching in the area of plant genetics, bioinformatics, plant biotechnology and other topics related to crop improvement in a world-renowned research and teaching environment.  

The ideal candidate:

You will have a first degree in a biological science and a PhD in some aspect of plant science. You will also have a track record in Higher Education teaching at Level 6 and curriculum design and delivery in some aspect of plant science (teaching at Masters Level 7 is desirable). Candidates should have strong interpersonal & communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain sound working relationships across all levels of the institute, and with our external industry and academic partners at UEA. Experience in student mentoring is not essential but would be advantageous.

Additional information:

This post is available four or five days per week. Interviews will be held early to mid-June.

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity.  As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.

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