Director of Research

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Director of Research

Hours
: 37 hours

Employment Type
:
Permanent/Full Time

Closing Date
: 23 January 2026

The Pirbright Institute is a world‑leading centre for research and surveillance of viral diseases in farm animals and viruses that spread from animals to humans. Strategically funded by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), we work at the forefront of fundamental and applied bioscience to understand, control, and eliminate diseases that threaten both animal and human health. Our research spans viruses that are endemic and exotic to the UK, combining advanced tools and technologies to study host–pathogen interactions in animals and arthropod vectors.

With internationally recognised strengths in virology and immunology, Pirbright plays a critical role in tackling current diseases and preparing for emerging threats. Based in Surrey, southwest of London, the Institute employs around 370 staff and hosts 50 PhD students and visiting scientists from across the globe.
Over £300M has been invested in our state‑of‑the‑art laboratories, high‑ and low‑containment facilities, and in vivo animal facilities for studies using natural hosts such as poultry and livestock. Researchers benefit from access to advancedिल्लो Science Technology Platforms including microscopy, flow cytometry, high‑throughput sequencing, and bioinformatics.

Our culture is defined by openness, integrity, and a shared commitment to excellence, where people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines come together with a common purpose:
advancing science to improve the world in which we live.

We are seeking an exceptional research-active leader to become Director of Research at The Pirbright Institute. This is a unique opportunity to combine your own world‑class research programme with a senior strategic leadership role at one of the UK’s most important bioscience institutes.

The successful candidate will be an internationally recognised scientist with a strong and consistent track record of:

• Leading an independent, internationally competitive research group
  .
• Securing and sustaining substantial external research funding
  .
• Delivering high‑quality, high‑impact outputs in their field.
• Providing strategic and institutional leadership
  , aligning cutting‑edge scientific ambition with the Institute’s mission, priorities, and long‑term impact.

As Director of Research
, you will act as Deputy to the Director, helping to shape and deliver Pirbright’s science strategy, while also advancing your own research. This dual role requires a rare combination of scientific excellence, strategic foresight, and leadership acumen
.

This is an opportunity for a scientist who can inspire, influence, and innovate—a leader who is equally comfortable at the bench, in the boardroom, and representing Pirbright to global stakeholders.

• Develop, adapt and monitor the Institute’s scientific gran.
• Work with the Director, Trustee Director Board, Science Advisory Board and BBSRC to ensure strategic alignment, scientific excellence and opportunities.
• Engage with Heads of Programme/Topic leads.
Work with Science Committee and group leaders.
• Ensure science plans and delivery remain within the Institute Science Programme budget.
• Maintain and support external funding and strategic partnerships.
• Oversee the Science Technology Platforms and Central Services to ensure their alignment and delivery against our science strategy.
• Take oversight of the availability of facilities that support our science.
• Sit on the Development Programme project and programme boards.
• Communicate between Science Committee, Engineering and Maintenance Services, Information Technology and Animal Services as required.
• Take on the role of Establishment Licence…