Head of Plant Genetics

Location: Cambridge (CB24 9NZ) or East Malling, Kent (ME19 6BJ)

Closing date: 11/09/2024 with interviews being held in early October 2024

Reports to: Director of Research

Line Manages: Up to 8 research scientists

Working hours: 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday; part-time considered. 

Are you ready to lead groundbreaking research in plant genetics at the UK’s premier crop science organisation? 

NIAB is the UK's leading crop science organisation, renowned for its extensive research capabilities in plant genetics, agronomy, pest and disease management, farming systems, and data science. With over 400 employees, state-of-the-art facilities, and the largest national field trials capability, NIAB is at the forefront of agricultural research and innovation. Our strong collaborations with industry, government, and academia, including the Crop Science Centre partnership with the University of Cambridge, enable us to deliver sustainable food solutions. 

About the Team

The Plant Genetics Department at NIAB is a dynamic and innovative team of 25 dedicated professionals. The department's internationally renowned research focuses on:

• Cereal and Broad-acre Crop Genetics - Improving resource use efficiencies and stress tolerance.
• Crop Diversity - Developing and characterising germplasm.
• Fruit Genetics - Enhancing traits related to flowering, resource use, and stress tolerance.

Our research aims to identify and understand the genetic control of traits contributing to resilience against biotic/abiotic stresses, providing characterised germplasms to improve crop yield and quality. Our work is supported by expertise in population genomics, quantitative genetics, epigenetics, bioinformatics, data science, and advanced phenotyping and genetic transformation platforms. 

Role Purpose:

As the Head of Plant Genetics, you will provide scientific leadership and manage a significant portfolio of research work. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leadership: Guiding the department and identifying grant-funded and commercial opportunities to support research and financial objectives in line with NIAB’s mission.
• Research Funding: Developing proposals to secure external funding for a nationally or internationally competitive research programme.
• Research Management: Overseeing a substantial portfolio of research, ensuring timely and budget-compliant delivery of projects. 
• Outreach and Engagement: Representing NIAB at scientific and industry meetings, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and participating in scholarly activities.

About You

Essential Requirements:

• PhD or equivalent professional qualification/experience in a discipline relevant to plants and agriculture.
• Demonstratable leadership experience.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively and collaboratively.
• Commercial acumen to understand the financial sustainability and operational mechanisms of the business.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Superior analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Extensive experience as an independent researcher and in management.
• Proven track record of securing high-quality funding as a Principal Investigator.
• At least 30 publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Desirable Requirements:

• Post-graduate degree or equivalent professional qualifications/experience in plant genetics and genomics.
• Experience on research council committees.
• Participation in national/international learned societies.
• Editorial decision-making experience in reputable peer-reviewed journals.
• Driving licence or access to independent transport for regular travel between Cambridge and East Malling sites.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Leadership (30%): Providing departmental leadership, supporting grant-funded and commercial research opportunities, and fostering innovation.
• Research Funding (25%): Securing high-quality external funding (> £300K pa within 3 years).
• Research Management and Delivery (25%): Managing research work, publishing results, and ensuring impactful outputs.
• Outreach/Translational Activities (10%): Presenting at meetings and engaging in scholarly activities.
• NIAB-wide Engagement (10%): Supporting NIAB-wide initiatives and leading cross-department proposals.

Financial Authority:

You will manage an income and expenditure range of £2 to 3 million per annum, ensuring activities are delivered on time and within budget.

Key Relationships:

• Internal: Immediate staff, departmental colleagues, Director of Research, CEO, and other executive members.
• External: Research collaborators, research funders (including UKRI), and representing NIAB in genetics/pre-breeding contexts to external organizations.

Working Conditions:

• Locations: Based in Cambridge or East Malling, with regular travel between sites.
• Environment: Office, laboratory, field, and glasshouse settings, varying seasonally.
• Physical Requirements: Manual handling (up to 2kg), exposure to plant materials, pathogens, insects, soil dust, and treated seeds.
• Travel: Frequent travel within the UK and occasional international travel.

Benefits:

• 25 days’ holiday plus public holidays
• 3 additional days off during the Christmas period
• Flexible working arrangements
• Generous sick pay
• Attractive pension scheme
• Income protection and life assurance
• Employee discount scheme
• Free on-site parking
• Supportive and collaborative colleagues

Application:

For informal enquiries, please contact Xiangming Xu, Director of Research, at Xiangming.xu@niab.com 

To apply

For further details and to apply on-line, please click the above “Apply” button.

Any questions? Email jobs@niab.com or call Human Resources on 01223 342282.

Please note that NIAB reserves the right to shortlist candidates before the closing date.

See full Job Description on our website for more details.

www.niab.com/about/locations/park-farm

www.niab.com/about/locations/east-malling

NIAB actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. As a Disability Confident Employer, we have a positive approach to employing people living with a disability.