Independent Research Fellowships Leading to Tenured Faculty Positions

The John Innes Centre (JIC), is a world leading centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences based on the Norwich Research Park, UK.

We are inviting applications from outstanding researchers who either hold, or wish to apply for Independent Research Fellowships (such as a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, Royal Society University Research Fellowship, or Wellcome Trust Career Development Award).

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to give a seminar at the Fellows Conference, which will be held on 10 March 2026. 

During the conference, you will be able to discuss your proposals, the development of your group and your future career plans in depth with JIC Faculty in one-to-one meetings. After the conference, we will select and mentor outstanding candidates in writing Fellowship applications and/or offer the opportunity to move existing Fellowships to the JIC.

Candidates who win Fellowships will be offered a Tenure Track Group Leader position from the outset, initially for 5 years. Considerable additional resources will be provided to Fellows by the Centre.

For further information, please contact Prof. Tung Le: tung.le@jic.ac.uk.

 

To apply

Please complete the application form at https://jic.link/Fellows and clearly lay out how your research programme fits and will synergise with research at JIC.

You will be asked to submit a 2-page summary of your research plan and a copy of your CV by Monday 10 November 2025.

Before applying, please read our Privacy Notice: https://jic.link/IRF-Privacy.

 

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No223852) grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and is an Equal Opportunities Employer and supports flexible working.

Testimonials

Dr Chris Morgan, a tenure-track Group Leader at the John Innes Centre, said: “After taking part in JIC’s Fellows Conference, I was selected and fully supported to apply for competitive independent research fellowships. With JIC’s support and mentorship, I was awarded an eight-year Royal Society University Research Fellowship, providing me with the generous funding to build an independent research team to pursue novel questions in the field of plant genetics.”