Principal Investigator opportunities at the Pirbright Institute
About the opportunity
Due to our longer-term successful science strategy and investment we are excited to be offering a number of new opportunities for independent Principal Investigators. As a Principal Investigator (PI) you will build and lead an inclusive, dynamic and collaborative science group in an area of strategic relevance, joining our existing multidisciplinary and diverse team of research leaders.
FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: A TWO PAGE RESEARCH CONCEPT NOTE, WHICH SHOULD PRESENT AN AREA OF RESEARCH THAT YOU WOULD DEVELOP IF YOU WERE APPOINTED, SHOULD BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION (CV AND COVER LETTER).
The Pirbright Institute
Pirbright is a world-leading centre of excellence in research and surveillance of viral diseases of farm animals and viruses that spread from animals to humans. We receive strategic funding from the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and work to understand, control and eliminate economically and medically important diseases which threaten animal and human health, through innovative fundamental and applied bioscience. We study viruses that are endemic and exotic to the UK, using advanced tools and technologies to understand host-pathogen interactions in animals and arthropod vectors. Our major strengths in virology and understanding host immune systems provide a platform to control current diseases and respond to emerging threats. News stories can be found here: https://www.pirbright.ac.uk/news.
The Institute is located in Pirbright, Surrey, southwest of London. We employ around 370 staff and at any one time we host about 50 PhD students and visiting scientists, from all over the world. In recent years, investment of around £300M has provided state of the art facilities and support for low and high containment in vitro and in vivo work. Our in vivo studies focus on understanding hosts responses, using the natural host, such as poultry and livestock. Our facilities and capabilities include a number of dedicated Science Technology Platforms such as microscopy, flow cytometry, high -throughput sequencing and bioinformatics.
Pirbright is a dynamic and vibrant community covering a diverse set of chosen fields, backgrounds and experience. We all play a crucial role in furthering the Institute’s aspirations, advancing the frontiers of science and knowledge through our excellent scientific research, knowledge sharing and contribution; with a real focus on improving the world in which we live. We have a very open culture that is essential to maintain our high standards of research integrity whilst allowing everyone to reach their potential. Our outlook is always balanced by our strong sense of purpose, values and behaviours and an unwavering commitment to a ‘One Institute’ approach.
We recognize the need for flexibility in our working and personal lives and we have a range of flexible working arrangements in practice. Where the role allows, arrangements can also be agreed for some informal home-working and we are open to candidate questions about this. If you wish to find out more, or have any questions, please contact jobs@pirbright.ac.uk.
Details of the roles and areas of strategic importance are described below. Applicants proposing to work in other subject areas are also welcome, but the proposed area must be relevant to The Pirbright Institute’s aims and existing research strategy.
We highly recommend all applicants have an informal discussion prior to application: these discussions should focus on the area of research proposed and how this would align with Pirbright’s strategy, facilities, and capabilities. Our Recruitment team, working with Louise Barton, Head of Research and Innovation, will field queries and direct candidates to the most appropriate member of the Institute’s Science Committee to take this forward. Please factor this step into your planning if considering an application.
Guidance for Applications
To showcase your interest for any of the following positions:
Please send your CV, Cover Letter and two page Research Concept Note to jobs@pirbright.ac.uk
Please specify within the email whether you are applying for a Fellow position or a Group Leader position.
We strongly encourage all applicants to have an informal discussion prior to application.
Initial enquiries should be sent to Jobs@pirbright.ac.uk, FAO Shannon Ward, Talent Acquisition Business Partner.
Members of our Science Committee will then be involved in the process, helping to address questions from candidates and explore areas of potential research interest as part of these initial discussions.
Subject to the quality of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close some of the areas of interest before the final closing date.
Principal Investigator opportunities
Principal Investigator positions are available as early career stage fellowships and established Group Leader roles, with funding and potential resources, as follows:-
Fellow (Band Fellow from £54,580 negotiable depending on experience):
- Pirbright Fellowship Scheme to support your development.
- Up to 5 years’ salary funding.
- Annual consumables budget.
- Access to apply for internal PhD studentship, Internship and Seed funding.
- Opportunity for progression to Group Leader.
- Access to all infrastructure and capabilities including the Science Technology Platforms.
Group Leader (Band F from £54,256, Band G from £67,565 negotiable depending on experience) in addition to the above:
- Permanent position.
- Opportunity to access Institute strategic funding for a postdoctoral researcher.
The purpose of the Principal Investigator role is to build and lead a research group in an area of strategic relevance to The Pirbright Institute. We wish to recruit early career stage Fellows or experienced Group Leaders to develop and drive programmes of work that align with our strategic priorities and complement our unique SAPO4/CL3 high containment facilities for in vitro and in vivo work. We have a specific interest in programmes of fundamental research that would include:
- Virology and/or immunology of high consequence livestock viral disease normally exotic to the UK.
- Zoonotic viral diseases, especially those originating from farmed animals.
- ‘Omics and systems approaches to understand disease mechanisms, evolution and transmission.
- Epidemiology and climate change.
- Light and electron microscopy in high containment.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Main duties and responsibility
Responsible for Running a Research Group:
- Provide leadership and a collaborative focus for a research group centred upon an area of strategic relevance to The Pirbright Institute.
- Drive the production of excellent science through the recruitment, management and development of research scientists funded by competitive external grant applications.
- Act as a mentor to the next generation of scientists through doctoral and student supervision and community activities.
- Work with science support services to ensure appropriate levels of health, safety and biosafety and quality assurance are maintained.
- Contribute to the wider activities of The Pirbright Institute.
- Develop and lead a sustainable programme of research to deliver impact, including contributing to the development of new knowledge, academic benefits, as well as societal and economic benefits.
This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her line manager. The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of The Pirbright Institute.
Personal specification
We expect applicants for these roles to possess a clear direction for the area of fundamental science they wish to address, with a programme of research that will take advantage of, and exploit, the unique capabilities and facilities available at Pirbright. All of our Principal Investigators must be able to foster and develop a positive research culture and display the behaviours and attributes of a well-rounded scientific leader. Applications are expected to have an excellent research and technical grounding in areas relevant to Pirbright, with the ambition to advance the use of cutting-edge technologies in their field. Successful applicants will have, or be developing, an international reputation for excellent research and a personal track record in high quality peer-reviewed publications, commensurate with career stage. Experience in securing and managing competitive grant funding is essential for more senior appointments.
Fellowship Programme
The Pirbright Institute fellowship scheme provides an opportunity for outstanding early-stage scientists to develop their own research programme, within the remit of the Institute’s scientific strategy. The fellowship scheme typically employs scientists with established post-doctoral level track record who are ready to transition to independence, and provides funding for up to five years’ salary support with a significant consumables budget. The fellowship scheme provides a flexible framework for career progression, with support and mentoring to help develop your own research group, and transition from postdoctoral scientist to Principal Investigator, with an emphasis on a balanced approach of carrying out excellent science while learning to lead and develop a scientific group. Additional information about the fellowship scheme, is available on request, with further information also available here: https://www.pirbright.ac.uk/careers-and-learning/fellowships.
Fellow - Specific requirements
Essential
- PhD in a relevant field and significant development at postdoctoral level.
- A compelling, innovative, research proposal which will contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge and understanding in a relevant field.
- Evidence of independent vision in carrying out scientific research in a multi-disciplinary environment.
- An excellent track record of productivity, relative to career stage, including lead author publications in reputable journals.
- Evidence of excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively within a team.
- Experience of leading small grant applications or contribution to larger applications.
- A strong collaborative focus in research including evidence of successful working with other people, students and groups.
- Evidence of commitment to developing management/leadership skills, responsibilities at an organization level and collegiate activities (e.g., management training, internal committees, organizing seminars).
Desirable
- Experience in high containment working practices.
- Experience of studying high consequence animal/ zoonotic viruses and their natural hosts.
Group Leader Roles - Specific requirements.
Essential
- PhD in a relevant field and existing experience as a research leader.
- A compelling, innovative, research proposal which will contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge in a relevant field.
- An excellent track record of productivity including at least five lead or senior author publications in reputable journals and a demonstration of fundamental impact in the field.
- A high-quality research reputation, based on citation indices, invited lectures, honorary positions and awards, as well as other measures of esteem such as Committee and Panel membership, and society involvement and activities.
- Evidence of writing successful grant applications and a strategic awareness of primary routes of funding in the UK.
- Evidence of excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively within a team, with funding bodies and with external partners and stakeholders.
- A strong collaborative focus in research including evidence of successful working with other people, students, groups and external organisations.
- Evidence of management and leadership skills (including commitment to further development) with a proven track record of successfully recruiting, developing and leading a range of people at different stages of career development.
Desirable
- Experience in high containment working practices.
- Experience of studying high consequence animal/zoonotic viruses and their natural hosts.
What we offer
- Competitive salary commensurate with the responsibilities of the role.
- Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life cover (subject to age and earnings).
- 25 days annual leave per annum, pro rata, plus 10.5 public and privilege days.
- Other benefits include free onsite parking, Pirbright gym with subsidised membership, subsidised staff restaurant, Pirbright social club, childcare allowance, cycle to work scheme, Pirbright Lifestyle Hub (employee discount scheme).
- Please contact Jobs@pirbright.ac.uk if you would like to discuss the facilities and resources available prior to making an application.