Postdoctoral Researcher - Microbial Strain Engineer in Nitrogen Fixation - PBI

CompanyEllison Institute of Technology Oxford

LocationOxford, England, United Kingdom

Posted At2/27/2026

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Occupation Type

Other researchers, unspecified discipline

Occupation Code Skill LevelHigher Skilled

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£43,600 (£22.36 per hour)

Occupation rate applies

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Description

Join us at EIT:

At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we're on a mission to translate scientific discovery into real world impact. We bring together visionary scientists, technologists, engineers, researchers, educators and innovators to tackle humanity's greatest challenges in four transformative areas:

Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology
Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture
Climate Change & Managing CO₂
Artificial Intelligence & Robotics

This is ambitious work - work that demands curiosity, courage, and a relentless drive to make a difference. At EIT, you'll join a community built on excellence, innovation, tenacity, trust, and collaboration, where bold ideas become real-world breakthroughs. Together, we push boundaries, embrace complexity, and create solutions to scale ideas from lab to society. Explore more at www.eit.org.

Welcome to the Plant Biology Institute:

The Plant Biology Institute, headed by Professor Steve Kelly, is a key part of the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Oxford. The institute aims to develop impactful and commercially sustainable solutions for improving global food production and planetary health through pioneering plant science research.

The Plant Biology Institute will unite world-class researchers who are focused on expanding the frontiers of plant science. Our research is focused on enhancing our ability to feed the planet while simultaneously improving the climate and ecosystem outcomes of food production. By embedding cutting-edge plant science research within an organisation that is focused on solving global challenges at scale, we aim to accelerate the timeline from discovery to global impact.

Areas of exploration include:

Improved plant productivity, both indoors and outside

Reduced reliance on inputs including water, fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides.

Novel decarbonised plant-based production platforms for food and medicines

Advanced technologies that speed up discovery and deployment in plants.

Researchers will have access to state-of-the-art laboratory and plant growth facilities and have opportunities to collaborate with experts at the forefront of research on AI, automation, and generative biology across the EIT ecosystem. They will also work with global leaders in market development, commercialisation, and impact creation. The Plant Biology Institute has long-term substantial funding to support the unique scale and ambition of its vision.

Your Role:

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Researcher in Microbial Strain Engineer to join its pioneering Plant Biology Institute to contribute to the ‘Biological Nitrogen Fixation' program. This initiative seeks to engineer biological nitrogen fixation into widely grown crop plants to improve yields and reduce global reliance on synthetic fertilisers. The ultimate goal of this work will be to deliver transformative environmental, economic, and public health benefits by helping to support the transition to scalable and regenerative agricultural systems

Your Responsibilities:

Genetically engineer diazotrophic microbial organisms to generate novel modified strains.
Apply established molecular biology, genetic engineering, and genome‑editing methods to investigate genes involved in nitrogen fixation.
Perform nitrogen fixation assays (e.g., acetylene reduction method) to assess functional activity.
Conduct high‑throughput microbial growth assays under diazotrophic conditions to evaluate nitrogen‑fixation capacity across strains.
Generate insights that inform and accelerate EIT's synthetic biology strategies aimed at introducing new metabolic capabilities into high‑performance crop varieties.
Bring strong expertise in biological nitrogen fixation and microbial strain engineering of nitrogen‑fixing model organisms.
Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to advance high‑impact plant science research with global applicability
Contribute to scientific publications, intellectual property development, and the translation of research into practical and commercial solutions aligned with EIT's mission.
Develop as a scientific leader within a dynamic, well‑supported, and purpose‑driven research environment

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to incorporate cutting edge research techniques into experiments

Present scientific work at seminars within the lab and at external meetings, including contributing to laboratory-wide discussions on developments within the field.

To assist in mentoring graduate students and other members of the research group where appropriate

Collaborate with experts at the forefront of research on AI, automation, and generative biology across the EIT ecosystem.

Draft scientific papers and contribute to preparation of publications

To assist in the translation of scientific results into commercial opportunities consistent with the EIT humane endeavours

Recognising and acting on opportunities for the creation of IP and cooperating in patent protection and in impact delivery

Requirements

Essential Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

Completed PhD in a relevant discipline
Strong research background and competency in relevant research skills or areas for the post. Examples include:
Demonstrated experience in microbial strain engineering in model diazotrophic microorganisms, including targeted gene knockouts, gene insertions/replacements, plasmid-based gene expression, and CRISPR-based genome editing

Demonstrated experience in microbial experimentation and handling under microaerobic or anaerobic conditions

Demonstrated experience in high-throughput microbial growth assays under ambient and diazotrophic conditions

Demonstrated experience in nitrogen fixation assays including acetylene reduction and 15N₂ incorporation assays, as well as knowledge or hands-on experience of associated analytical techniques (e.g., gas chromatography, isotope ratio mass spectrometry)

Strong proficiency in molecular biology, including PCR, qt-PCR, primer and construct design, molecular cloning, nucleic acid/metabolite/protein extraction, protein purification, gel electrophoresis (Agarose, SDS-PAGE, Native PAGE, Blue Native PAGE), immunodetection (e.g., Western Blot, co-immunoprecipitation), colorimetric/fluorometric plate-based assays including in vitro enzyme assays

A strong understanding of high-throughput and automated/semi-automated workflows in laboratory techniques relevant to the post

Excellent skills in experimental design, data analysis, statistical evaluation, and visualisation

To understand (or have a desire to understand) the path to impact for the research area in question and where appropriate to consider user feedback and market research in designing research experiments

Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research to the highest standard, and to publish results in peer-reviewed journals

Ability to build both internal and external relationships. Working collaboratively with others outside of their discipline

Clear and demonstrable problem-solving skills

Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills

Excellent written communication and report writing skills

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

Demonstrated expertise in protein structural modelling
Demonstrated expertise in enzyme structure-guided rational protein engineering or directed evolution

Benefits

Our Benefits:

Salary dependent on experience + travel allowance + bonus
Enhanced holiday + options to buy additional days
Pension
Life Assurance
Income Protection
Private Medical Insurance
Hospital Cash Plan
Therapy Services
Perk Box
Electric Car Scheme
Childcare benefit

What we offer:

Newly constructed, state-of-the-art laboratories and growth facilities

A collaborative research environment with highly skilled team working at the cutting edge of plant science to create commercially sustainable solutions that tackle humanity's biggest challenges, including enabling sustainable agriculture and improving the climate and ecosystem outcomes of food production

Opportunities for professional development including publication, conferences, spin-out generation, and leadership development