Crop Genebank Head of Service
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a crop genebank Head of Service to join the Crop Genetics Department at the John Innes Centre.
About the GRU Team
The Germplasm Resources National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (GR-NBRI, also known as the Germplasm Resources Unit, GRU) at the John Innes Centre houses biological seed collections. The GR-NBRI aims to capture the broadest possible diversity of the gene pool of the UK’s major strategic crops and their crop wild relatives, thereby supporting plant science and crop improvement through breeding. We focus on wheat, pea, barley and oat germplasm. The collections include crop wild relatives, traditional landraces, adapted and elite cultivars, derived lines, mapping populations, and induced (mutagenized) diversity panels. The seeds are stored in a specialised cool-dry chamber to extend their shelf life and are regenerated according to a 20–30-year cycle plan. The germplasm-associated data is catalogued in an in-house-tailored management system and public database (SeedStor). You can read more about the research here.
The role
The Head of Service is the first point of contact for both external and internal users of the seed collections. They triage seed requests submitted through the team’s bespoke public database and direct each request to the appropriate team member. They also provide guidance on the most suitable germplasm choices to maximise efficient use of the public collections, enhance output delivery, and ensure cost-effectiveness.
The post holder manages seed import and export to support smooth genebank operations and enables JIC scientists to exchange seed with international collaborators. This includes liaising with users to secure correct documentation and coordinating with the Animal and Plant Health Agency to obtain phytosanitary certificates, plant passports, and other required permits for a diverse international user base (the GRU supports users in 52 countries, including plant scientists, breeders, educators, and farmers).
They will oversee GRU cost-recovery charges, maintain service documentation and records through internal management systems, and supervise the curation of germplasm-associated data, including legacy and newly generated datasets.
The role requires an innovative leader who delivers high-quality service while driving continuous improvement in seed conservation, distribution, and use. Priorities include implementing molecular barcoding for quality control and assurance, improving user training through clear guidance and short videos, increasing efficiency via standardised templates and automated communications, strengthening or developing SOPs, and enhancing the use of phenotypic and genetic/genomic data to support informed germplasm selection.
As a member of the GRU, the Head of Service is encouraged to plan, conduct, and publish applied research that improves service delivery, either directly or by supervising MSc or BSc (Year in Industry) projects. They will also promote the service at meetings, field demonstrations, and GRU visits for diverse user communities.
The ideal candidate
The candidate should have a PhD in crop sciences or in closely related fields or alternatively have significant experience in crop gene-banking/ seed production industry in a senior position.
Genebanking requires a broad set of skills and expertise and it is not expected that the candidate will master all the necessary aspects of seed conservation and germplasm utilisation when they join the team. Training will be provided to close necessary gaps and for continuous personal development.
However, experience or profound understanding of some of the following will be advantageous: Crop seed production, seed longevity, plant pathology, crop genetics, genomics and field phenotyping. Experience in working with biosciences data and operating a database resource is also desired.
Additional information
For further information and details of how to apply please click here, or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk quoting reference 1005017.
This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.
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.
Non-Executive NGI Programme Board Member
The John Innes Centre is an independent, world-leading centre of excellence in plant science, genetics and microbiology located on the Norwich Research Park. JIC performs cutting-edge, high-quality fundamental, strategic and applied research and is one of eight BBSRC strategically funded Research Institutes. You can read more about us here.
We are looking to appoint an Independent Member for our Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI) Programme Board with significant experience in management of change involving major capital infrastructure investment and business change designed to enable the delivery of benefits. It may be advantageous for candidates to have recent experience as a member of an executive or non-executive board or committee and experience of successful leadership in an academic, research or commercial environment.
The role
The successful candidate will support the NGI Programme Board in overseeing the delivery of a c. £400m programme of investment comprising phased roll-out of infrastructure renewal and refurbishment across its campus on the Norwich Research Park (NRP). The investment aims to improve sustainability of the infrastructure and deliver defined benefits through improved business activities.
This role will bring the NGI Programme Board specific expertise in major public sector programme delivery with a view to ensuring good governance and appropriate challenge.
Delivering the NGI vision
The Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI) programme will deliver world-class facilities for the John Innes Centre (JIC) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) at the Norwich Research Park, supporting their Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet vision. Central to the programme is a new laboratory and support building that brings all JIC and TSL researchers together in a flexible, modern workplace designed to enable cutting-edge research, training, and collaboration. The building will be outward-looking, well-integrated with its surroundings, and act as a national hub for plant and microbial science, attracting collaborators, staff, and visitors.
The objectives of the investment are to:
• Create a world-leading hub with state-of-the-art facilities which will harness the collaborative environment of the Norwich Research Park and create a unique asset for UK science in line with the UK Plant Science Research Strategy.
• Connect a critical mass of research and technical expertise under one roof. Improving connectivity across the NRP.
• Create an inspiring work environment.
• The hub will attract the world’s best scientists and new businesses to Norwich, fostering interactions and catalysing new initiatives to ensure the UK remains a partner of choice for collaboration.
Inspiring the next generation of researchers, innovators and technical experts.
• Deliver a Net Zero Carbon solution based on the latest low carbon design technology.
The ideal post holder
The NGI Programme Board currently comprises senior executives of JIC (John Innes Centre), TSL (The Sainsbury Laboratory) and EI (Earlham Institute), together with an independent non-executive member of JIC Governing Council as Chair. Additionally, a senior representative of BBSRC/UKRI as the principal funder is also a member of the NGI Programme Board.
The appointed member is expected to:
• Take part in ensuring the business of the NGI Programme Board is carried out efficiently, effectively, and in a manner appropriate for the proper conduct of public business and in the best interest of the charitable purpose of JIC.
• Engage through making rational and constructive contributions to debate and to make their knowledge and expertise available to the NGI Programme Board as opportunity arises.
• Comply with all relevant legislation and regulations relating to JIC’s charitable status and ensuring that the NGI Programme Board acts in accordance with the rules, regulations and guidance laid down by JIC Governing Council.
• Make use of skills and experience when exercising their responsibilities and play a full part in the taking of decisions.
• Act as a representative of JIC with key stakeholder
Additional information
The postholder will commit approximately 8 – 12 days per year including attending Programme Board meetings every other month on site in Norwich and preparation time for reading papers etc. The term of the appointment is for a minimum of three years, with the possibility of serving a second term subject to approval.
The role can be carried out remotely; however, it would be desirable where possible to attend in-person Programme Board meetings on location in Norwich. These are scheduled on a two-monthly basis.
Remuneration: Honorarium of £5,000 per annum. Expenses will be paid.
Application information
If you believe you can make a significant contribution to the governance and development of one of the world’s most renowned research institutes and can give the necessary commitment, please submit your CV and a personal statement via our website by 1 February 2026.
We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Postdoctoral Researcher (Carella Group)
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Carella Group at the John Innes Centre, working on cutting-edge science in the field of Evo-MPMI (Evolutionary Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions).
About the Carella Group:
We are a curious, enthusiastic, and innovative research group exploring the diversity of pathogen infection and plant immune processes underpinning host-microbe interactions across the green lineage. Using comparative macroevolutionary and molecular genetic approaches, our group explores widely-distributed and lineage-specific aspects of immunity & infection that will inform future efforts to protect plants from harmful pathogens.
The role:
Working as part of a team led by Phil Carella, you will perform key experiments aimed at identifying and understanding virulence processes enabling broad host infection of Pseudomonas phytopathogens in divergent land plants like the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. The role will provide you with a broad range of stimulating activities, including:
- Evolutionary and molecular dissection of virulence mechanisms (effectors and toxins)
- Molecular microbiology approaches to genetically manipulate virulence and other key Pseudomonas traits
- Experience with a wide range of plant and microbial techniques including genetics, biochemistry, and computational approaches.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills in the emerging field of Evo-MPMI (evolutionary molecular plant-microbe interactions). You will also work with world leading scientists who are experts in their field.
The ideal candidate:
You will have a PhD in Molecular Microbiology, Plant Biology and/or Biochemistry. You will have in-depth knowledge of microbial virulence strategies, a general understanding of evolutionary plant-pathogen interactions, and demonstrable experience in molecular biology/microbiology.
Additional information:
Further information and details of how to apply can be found here or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk quoting reference 1005023.
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. Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.
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.