City life

Norwich was rated one of the best places to live in the UK in the Sunday Times 2024 guide. Described as a ‘cosmopolitan city’ with modern and medieval architecture where ‘literary pedigree meets liveability’, it also has one of the oldest and largest outdoor markets in the country. Home to theatres, museums, galleries and concert venues, Norwich was named the UK’s first UNESCO City of Literature in 2012.

Nature and landscape

Norwich is the only city in England set in a national park, the Norfolk Broads. The spectacular Broads are the UK’s largest navigable man-made waterway, and the John Innes Centre even has a boat you can hire to use. Norwich is also only 20 miles away from the beautiful Norfolk coastline, which spans 90 miles of sandy beaches, soaring cliffs, shingle, saltmarshes and estuaries. The coast is easily accessible by car, train or bus, and is perfect for walking, cycling, bird watching, or just sitting in a country pub.

Norwich Research Park

Norwich Research Park is one of five BBSRC-funded UK Research and Innovation Campuses, bringing together four independent internationally renowned research institutes: the John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute, Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory. It is also home to the University of East Anglia, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and a community of more than 30 businesses. It is one of the largest single-site concentrations of research in food, genomics and health in Europe.

Connectivity

The city has excellent transport links to local destinations like Cambridge, and a direct train can get you to central London in just two hours. Norwich also has a convenient international airport, only 2.5 miles away.

Affordable housing

According to ONS, the average house price in Norwich was £243,000 in September 2024. The average monthly private rent in Norwich was £1,048, with the average rent for a one-bedroom property at £705 per month.

Dr Myriam Charpentier, group leader

Working at the John Innes Centre is a unique experience for anyone passionate about plant science and innovation. We are part of an inspiring, diverse community where ideas flow freely, and cutting-edge research takes centre stage. Collaboration with talented colleagues from around the world fosters fresh perspectives and drives discoveries. It is a place where curiosity-driven science is celebrated.

Professor Tung Le, group leader

Back in 2006, the John Innes Centre was the only place in the UK that offered me a full scholarship as an international student to do a PhD. Without this rotation programme, I could not have pursued further education, and would not have met my wife! When I finally came here, I discovered my talent and enjoyment of lab work, and was supported by fantastic mentors. I chose to come back to Norwich in 2016 to start my own independent lab, after a stint in the USA as a post-doc. I wanted to have access to the great facilities, great science and being surrounded by like-minded people – that combination can’t go wrong!

Dr Alba Pacheco-Moreno, postdoctoral researcher 

When I was applying for PhD positions, the project that was offered here captivated me. I loved the place, the people and the city. The plan was to stay only four years but more than seven years later and I’m still here! Norwich and the research park has a lot to offer, both professionally and personally. The level of science that you can do here is among the best in the world in plant sciences, and will positively impact opportunities to grow your career. At the same time, Norwich itself is a lovely place to live. Going for a walk around its medieval streets is quite unbeatable, I would say.

Dr Anne Edwards, research assistant

I came to Norwich in 1987 to do a PhD on oxidative stress in peas, a Pea-h-D if you will. It was a long train journey from South Wales, and as I arrived I rolled into thick Norfolk fog. Not long after, the Great Storm arrived, the worst in more than 200 years! Weather aside, I immediately felt at home. Now I live just outside Norwich and enjoy visiting the city to explore its many historic buildings. I love the Norfolk countryside with its diverse wildlife (though I do miss mountains as it is so flat!) John Innes has a great atmosphere. It is a very exciting and friendly place to work, and no two days are the same in the laboratory. We are very lucky to have fantastic support services to assist with tasks, including growing plants, making media, mending equipment and so much more. Norwich is a very fine place to live and work – but beware! Once you are here you will not want to leave.