Group Leader - Entomology / Molecular Entomology

NIAB strives to deliver the crop science solutions required for highly productive, sustainable agriculture and horticulture. NIAB is focused on delivering the solutions required for sustainable, resilient, low emissions agriculture, leveraging its unique position in the UK research landscape and its broad skills in farming systems and systems-level approaches to problem solving. 

We are seeking an Entomologist to lead the development of a new research group in arable crop pests and beneficials based at our Cambridge site. Working at the interface between entomology and breeding the post holder is expected to have skills in both field work with insects and an appreciation of the role of plant genetics in integrated pest and disease management.  Skills in elucidating pest resistance traits in plants and/or biocontrol, population dynamics and effect on the plant are all integral components of the research skills needed to ensure identified resistance traits and/or biological controls work under field conditions.

In particular, we would value applications from candidates with skills in studying resistance to aphids and the viruses they transmit in wheat or other field crops from a diverse background, ranging from wild relatives to modern varieties. An example end goal is to identify beneficial traits that can be translated into elite crop varieties and be useful in an agricultural context.

Key areas of this role include:

• Developing significant research funding streams (e.g. UKRI, Defra, and Industry)
• Developing and managing a research team
• Developing collaborations nationally and internationally
• Publishing high quality work and generating impact ‘on farm’
• Contributing to development of NIAB through management of facilities and resources
• Developing and assisting with the exploitation of research and IP for products, services, and partnerships
• Working with experts across the wider NIAB group, interfacing and building collaborations with our entomology team at East Malling (NIAB EMR)

You should have a PhD in Entomology and/or Molecular Biology or Plant Pathology along with research in plant-insect interactions and experience of working on UKRI-funded research programmes (or equivalent), managing teams and projects, and PhD student supervision. Excellent writing and communication skills evidenced through a substantial number of well-cited peer reviewed publications are essential along with a creative research vision for development, implementation, and delivery of successful research projects. You should also have an ability to communicate complex conceptual ideas to widely divergent audiences and have a positive attitude to contributing to institute activities and funded initiatives including open days, workshops, etc. A full UK driving licence is required to drive to other sites around the UK, as these are remote areas with limited access by public transport.

Starting salary in the range of £38,292 up to £40,637 per annum, depending on skills, experience and qualifications.  Further details, along with a job description and application form are available at: https://www.niab.com/careers or from the HR Office, NIAB, 93 Lawrence Weaver Rd, Cambridge CB3 0LE, Tel No. 01223 342282, Email: [email protected] , quote Ref: SV/A1294.  Closing date for applications:  4 January 2022