Associate Professor (or Professor) in Plant Sciences

We are seeking a researcher and teacher with outstanding potential to bring exciting new perspectives in the area of molecular plant biology at the University of Oxford. This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic new Department with a culture that values, innovation, collegiality, and scholarship. The successful candidate will start 1 September 2026.

This post is offered by the new Department of Biology in partnership with The Queen’s College.

Associate Professor is the main academic career grade at Oxford. Associate Professors have responsibility to lead a successful programme of research and being an enthusiastic and engaging teacher. Associate Professors are appointed jointly by a University department/faculty and an Oxford College, and you will have a contract with both. 

You will establish or maintain your own research group, fostering a collaborative, supportive atmosphere and encouraging research achievement. You will support your own research through competitive grants, and will offer high-quality, innovative teaching through lectures, practical classes and tutorials. In both the Department and College, you will play an active role in management and decision-making. 

We seek individuals with a track record that demonstrates competence in the field of plant biology, and the ability to engage and enthuse students at all levels and from all backgrounds, and a commitment to promoting the subject within and beyond academia. Topics of research interest might include, but are not limited to molecular plant physiology, photosynthesis and plant cell biology. 

The University of Oxford is committed to equality and valuing diversity. All applicants will be judged on merit, according to the selection criteria. 

The post is full time and will become permanent on successful completion of a five-year review. For an informal discussion about the post, please contact the Human Resources Team (mailto: recruitment@biology.ox.ac.uk), as appropriate. 

Applications must be made online via the above ‘Apply’ button by the deadline of 12 midday (GMT) on Monday 29 September 2025. 

You will be required to upload a CV, including a full list of publications; a supporting statement and a research proposal setting out your plans and priorities for the next 5 years. The full details of how to apply are in the job description.

We expect to hold the interviews in November 2025.

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