AI & Automation Lead Plant Transformation - Plant Biology Institute

About EIT:

At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we are 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
• Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
• Climate Change & Managing CO₂

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

Our research focuses on enhancing plant productivity—both indoors and out—while reducing reliance on inputs such as water, fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. We are building decarbonised, plant‑based production platforms for food and medicines and accelerating discovery through advanced AI, automation, and generative biology.

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled leader to join the Transformation Facility at the Plant Biology Institute. You will work closely with the AI & Robotics team and external partners to develop AI and automation solutions that transform plant transformation workflows and enhance pipeline efficiency.

• Provide plant sciences subject‑matter expertise to design, develop, and implement automated robotic systems for transformation and tissue culture workflows.
• Co‑develop computer‑vision systems for the transformation pipeline, validating phenotyping and automation tools, and lead the data strategy for predictive ML models to optimise transformation efficiency and regeneration success.
• Partner with AIR and data engineering teams to build robust data pipelines for predictive modelling using multilayer phenotyping and automation data in high‑throughput pipelines.
• Lead scientific and project management for researchers and engineers in applied AI/ML and automation engineering within a matrix team structure.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and reporting frameworks to ensure delivery of technical milestones and progression toward deployable products.
• Oversee and account for the matrixed project team’s alignment with institutional priorities and commitments.
• Engage stakeholders across the transformation team, wider PBI, AIR, and external partners to ensure transparent communication, progress reporting, and expectation management, and contribute to long‑term digital transformation strategy.
• Deploy automated robotic systems for transformation and tissue culture workflows.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to incorporate cutting‑edge applied technologies and develop commercial products.
• Present scientific work at EIT seminars, external meetings, and conferences, and contribute to laboratory‑wide discussions.
• Mentor graduate students and other research group members where appropriate.
• Assist in translating scientific results into publications, commercial opportunities, IP creation, and patent protection.
• Demonstrate experience moving innovations beyond proof‑of‑concept toward validated, scalable, and impactful products.

• PhD in Plant Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology, or Plant Biotechnology.
• Background in crop transformation enabling technologies in an industrial or academic setting.
• Strong expertise in plant regeneration, morphogenesis, and transformation systems for elite lines or recalcitrant crops.
• Experience manipulating developmental regulators to enhance regeneration and transformation efficiency.
• Track record of innovation in transformation or regeneration biology.
• Ability to translate mechanistic biology into practical applications.
• Experience with planning and management tools (spreadsheets, Microsoft Planner, LIMS, ELN, or Confluence).
• Demonstrated experience in project leadership, cross‑functional team coordination, and delivery accountability.
• Understanding of the path to impact for the research area and…