Main Purpose of the Job

An exciting opportunity for an Independent Fellowship in Plant-Associated Microbial Interactions has arisen at the John Innes Centre.

Create and lead an internationally excellent, independent discovery programme in microbial or fungal communities and their interactions with hosts, particularly where these interactions have beneficial effects on plant & soil health, with the potential to underpin increased agricultural sustainability.

Key Relationships

The post holder will work closely with the Director, Senior Management team and scientists within JIC and other stakeholders across the NRP.
Internal: Work collaboratively with all levels of staff within the Institute to enhance the Institute's research and capabilities.
External: Work collaboratively with staff on the NRP, academic and industry collaborators, funding bodies, Government and other stakeholders to enhance the Institute's research and capabilities.
 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Lead and manage an internationally recognised, high-profile and innovative research programme in the field of microbial interactions.

Make significant contributions to the strategic thinking and planning of research.

Lead and manage a research team, taking responsibility for its outputs and impact. This will include selecting, supervising, mentoring, training and providing wellbeing support for postdoctoral researchers, technicians, students and visitors, supporting effective career development, maintaining high levels of performance in the team, and maintaining a positive research culture.

Disseminate research findings through the publication of peer-reviewed research papers, consolidate the Institute's international scientific reputation through participation in national and internal conferences and provision of expert commentary in a variety of media.

Submit grant proposals across a broad range of potential funders, securing substantial research funding to support the research programme.

Ensure that research and record keeping is carried out in accordance with best practice, institute Policies and Procedures and legal requirements.

Ensure that the research team complies with health and safety policy and guidance documents, and with quality assurance and data management procedures.

Manage the research group’s budgets for consumables, grants and other funding, making cost-effective use of resources and minimising waste.

Enhance the wider social and economic impact of the institute's research through influencing and developing partnerships and commercial opportunities with government, industry and other external parties.

Positively contribute to the effective leadership and management of the institute, through additional responsibilities, including committee and steering group membership, as and when required.

Commit to public engagement/science communication activities that raise the institute's profile and public awareness of science.

Act as an ambassador for the institute.
 

Any other duties that may be required, which are commensurate with the role of Group Leader.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD or equivalent in relevant subject

Essential

Substantial postdoctoral research experience

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Significant track-record of internationally competitive research achievement, supported by a strong publication record in peer reviewed journals

Essential

Ability to formulate and lead a research programme that will deliver innovative, world-class science in molecular host-microbes interactions or a related field

Essential

Knowledge of JIC/NRP research fields, underpinning an explanation of the benefits of locating the proposed research programme at JIC

Essential

Deep and broad understanding of the scientific background of the proposed research programme

Essential

Capacity to envisage and articulate the longer-term objectives and impact of the proposed research programme

Essential

Measures of esteem such as international invited talks, editorial appointments, membership of external grant or appointments panels etc

Desirable

Success in leading research and initiating interdisciplinary collaborations

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Demonstrated ability to plan and prioritise to ensure scientific ideas translate into delivery of research outcomes

Essential

Demonstrated commitment to the highest levels of integrity and best practice in science and scientific management

Essential

Evidence of winning external funding for the maintenance of a successful and sustainable research team

Desirable

Experience of motivating, managing and mentoring team members, including objective setting and regular informal and formal reviews of progress

Desirable

Research project leadership and management experience in stand-alone and collaborative projects

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Strong team player that can work with different skill sets to reach a common goal, sharing information and supporting colleagues

Essential

Effective and appropriate communication with people at all levels both inside and outside the Institute

Essential

Development and articulation of innovative approaches and cohesive scientific plans

Essential

Open-minded, determined and resilient approach to scientific planning and management

Essential

Creation and fostering collaborative research networks

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Exhibits a high level of motivation combined with a flexible approach

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity, embraces the expected values and behaviours of all staff, ensuring the institute is a great place to work

Essential

Exhibits enthusiasm for an immediate or future role in leading and developing JIC science and values, both within the Institute and further afield

Essential

Attention to detail

Essential

Ability to travel nationally/internationally to facilitate collaborations and/or present seminars. (Reasonable adjustments will be considered as we recognise the need for work-life balance and the need to support those with caring responsibilities),

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

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

Molecular Microbiology

Our holistic approach integrates cellular physiology, molecular genetics (including functional genomics), biochemistry and structural biology. In the Department of Molecular Microbiology we study bacterial metabolism, physiology, gene regulation and development, and plant-bacterial interactions. Major themes of our work on Gram-negative bacteria are the molecular basis of signal transduction in response to various environmental signals and studies on the biology of ammonia channel proteins which are conserved in all domains of life.

The Department's comprehensive Streptomyces programme, studying antibiotic production, morphological differentiation and stress responses, is underpinned by the newly-acquired genome sequence of the model species S. coelicolor, and cutting-edge techniques in functional genomics. Another major research area is the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis where our studies range from bacterial quorum-sensing and plant-bacterial signalling interactions to the developmental responses of plants to their microbial symbionts.

The Department capitalises on the John Innes Centre's emerging strengths in functional genomics, structural biology and advanced cytological techniques, as well as exploiting novel links between research on bacterial and plant processes.

Group Details

You will work alongside a diverse community of researchers across various disciplines, including expertise in molecular biology, mathematics, chemistry and biochemistry, microscopy and structural biology, 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. 

Our scientific departments work across a range of disciplines, providing internal clusters of expertise within the institute who will be able to support and advise on specialised aspects of the candidate’s day-to-day research. The successful candidate will be able to align to the department that best fits their scientific programme.

 

Living in Norfolk

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• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Independent Fellowship in Plant-Associated Microbial Interactions

An exciting opportunity for an Independent Fellowship in Plant-Associated Microbial Interactions has arisen at the John Innes Centre.  To read the full job description for this role, please follow this link.

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 employees 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 John Innes Centre (JIC) recognises the critical importance of this rapidly evolving field and invites applications from visionary scientists for an Independent Research Fellowship focused on microbial communities and their interactions. We welcome candidates with expertise and interests in any aspect of microbial or fungal communities and their interactions with host organisms, particularly where these interactions contribute to plant and soil health.

• Relevant research areas include, but are not limited to:
• rhizosphere and phyllosphere microbiology
• microbial evolution
• molecular and/or structural aspects of plant-microbe or plant-fungal interactions
• the molecular biology of soil-dwelling bacteria or fungi
• interspecies chemical signalling
• bacteria/fungus-virus interactions in the soil
• soil microbiology
• microbial community modelling
• plant genetics in the context of microbial interactions.

The successful candidate will be offered an initial five-year Independent Fellowship position, with the opportunity to transfer to a three-year tenure-track Group Leader appointment at the end of this period, subject to review. If the candidate selected meets the requirement for tenure-track prior to the end of the five-year Fellowship an earlier transition is possible, again subject to review.

The ideal candidate:

The successful candidate will have a PhD or equivalent in a relevant subject to the role. They will also have substantial postdoctoral research experience and a significant track-record of internationally competitive research achievement, supported by a strong publication record in peer reviewed journals.

You will have the ability to formulate and lead a research programme that will deliver innovative, world-class science and good knowledge of JIC/NRP research fields, underpinning an explanation of the benefits of locating the proposed research programme at JIC.

The successful candidate will also have demonstrated ability to plan and prioritise to ensure scientific ideas translate into delivery of research outcomes as well as demonstrated commitment to the highest levels of integrity and best practice in science and scientific management.

Additional information:

Interested applicants are invited to submit the following documents:
• CV
• Cover letter explaining your motivation for applying for the Independent Fellowship position at JIC
• 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). Applicants must submit your application by close of play Friday 5th September 2025. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for 14th and 15th October 2025.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Where the successful applicant requires a visa, we will fund the costs for their visa and the Immigration Health Surcharge. If you have any questions regarding your application or visa options, you can also read more information here.

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.