Research Scientist - Plant Genetic Engineering

Research Scientist - Plant Genetic Engineering

Manchester | On-site | Crop Biotechnology | Future Scientific Leadership Opportunity

A rare opportunity to join one of the UK's most innovative crop biotechnology startups.

You enjoy designing experiments and scientific pipelines, solving technical challenges, and leading outcome-driven solutions. You are motivated by research that contributes to the development of technologies focused on improving the food and agricultural industries. If you seek to take initiative with your own ideas, apply your expertise, and effect real-world outcomes , this role is for you.

The Company

Most crop biotechnology focuses on the nuclear genome. This biotechnology company has developed a proprietary platform designed to enable the reprogramming of chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes to create novel cytoplasmic traits, with advantages including:

• High-copy gene expression
• Species-wide conservation
• Compartmentalised expression
• Non-Mendelian inheritance

By unlocking the potential of organelle genomes, you will play a key role in delivering safer, more stable, and higher-impact trait expression across major crop species.

The Role

As a Research Scientist - Plant Genetic Engineer, you will join a highly collaborative R&D team developing and deploying novel cytoplasmic traits in commercially important crops for the food and agricultural industry.

This is a multidisciplinary role where you will lead laboratory experiments and strategic scientific programmes to advance cutting-edge technology, from platform development through to crop implementation.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Design and execute plant genetic engineering experiments.
• Develop solutions to complex technical challenges in crop transformation across species including wheat, rice, potato, tomato, maize, and oilseed rape.
• Support technology development and platform innovation.
• Collaborate closely with leadership to shape scientific strategy.

About You

• PhD in Plant Science, Plant Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline.
• Genetic engineering expertise using CRISPR/Cas systems and TALEN technology.
• Experience working with crop species rather than exclusively model plants.

If you're excited by ambitious science, ownership, and the opportunity to develop novel products that can shape the future of food and agriculture, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now.