Laboratory Manager - Plant Biology Institute

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.

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.

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) is seeking a highly organised and experienced Laboratory Manager to oversee the day‑to‑day running of one of the laboratories within the Plant Biology Institute (PBI). Reporting to and working closely with the Head of Lab Management, this role is responsible for ensuring that the laboratory operates safely, effectively, and in alignment with the overarching strategic direction set for laboratory operations across PBI.

The Laboratory Manager will support the Head of Lab Management in the development and continuous improvement of laboratory processes, and will lead on the implementation of agreed systems, standards, and operational initiatives within their designated lab. They will ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and quality requirements; coordinate equipment maintenance and resource allocation; optimise workflows; and maintain audit readiness.

Acting as a key operational lead within the lab, the postholder will provide a clear and structured channel of communication to the Head of Lab Management, proactively identifying risks, operational challenges, and opportunities for improvement. This includes escalating issues related to workflows, safety, compliance, or resourcing as appropriate. Through effective coordination with scientific staff, facilities, procurement, and other stakeholders, the Laboratory Manager will play a vital role in enabling high‑quality research delivery, operational resilience, and a collaborative, well‑managed laboratory environment.

• Oversee daily facilities of the laboratories, ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to quality standards.
• Recruit and manage a team of laboratory…