What is the John Innes Centre?

The John Innes Centre (JIC) is Europe 's premier independent research centre for the study of plant science and microbiology.

Our staff consist of 360 scientists and a large body of research students, but running a large and complex research centre also requires a number of specialist support staff.

The Centre's main site is at Colney on the outskirts of Norwich, although we also occupy a small farm in Colney and the 200 acre Church Farm, in Bawburgh (a nearby village). Our main site includes several large laboratory buildings, extensive glasshouses, a conference centre, library and various ancillary buildings - including a recreation centre.

In legal terms the Centre is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity.

JIC is one of eight institutes that receive strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). The institutes deliver innovative, world class bioscience research and training, leading to wealth and job creation, generating high returns for the UK economy. They have strong links with business, industry and the wider community, and support policy development

JIC research maps closely onto BBSRC’s key strategic research priorities :

Food Security
- bioscience for a sustainable supply of sufficient, affordable, nutritious and safe food, adapting to a rapidly changing world
Bioenergy and industrial biotechnology
- biofuels and industrial materials from novel biological sources, reducing dependency on petrochemicals and helping the UK to become a low carbon economy
Basic bioscience underpinning health
- driving advances for better health across the life course and improved quality of life, reducing the need for medical and social intervention