Head of Science Strategy
Salary: Professorial-equivalent appointment (Band G); salary negotiable.
The Role:
We are seeking an exceptional research-active leader to become Head of Science Strategy at The Pirbright Institute. This is a unique opportunity to combine your own world-class research programme with a senior strategic leadership role at one of the UK’s most important bioscience institutes.
The successful candidate will be an internationally recognised scientist with a strong and consistent track record of:
- Leading an independent, internationally competitive research group.
- Securing and sustaining substantial external research funding.
- Delivering high-quality, high-impact outputs in their field.
- Providing strategic and institutional leadership, aligning cutting-edge scientific ambition with the Institute’s mission, priorities, and long-term impact.
As Head of Science Strategy, you will act as Deputy to the Director of Research, helping to shape and deliver Pirbright’s science strategy, while also advancing your own research.
This dual role requires a rare combination of scientific excellence, strategic foresight, and leadership acumen.
This is an opportunity for a scientist who can inspire, influence, and innovate — a leader who is equally comfortable at the bench, in the boardroom, and representing Pirbright to global stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
- Act as Deputy to the Director of Research.
- Serve on the Science Committee, setting, reviewing, and monitoring the Institute’s science strategy.
- Be a named Project Lead on one of Pirbright’s National Bioscience Research Infrastructures (NBRIs).
- Provide strategic oversight to our Science Technology Platforms (STPs).
- Line-manage selected Group Leaders, Fellows, and STP Leads.
- Champion a positive, collaborative, and impactful research culture.
- Represent Pirbright externally to strategic stakeholders, shaping agendas nationally and internationally.
Research Group Leadership
- Build and lead a high-performing research group in a strategically relevant area of science for Pirbright (e.g., virology, immunology, zoonoses, host–virus interactions, or systems biology approaches).
- Consistently secure significant external grant funding through innovative, competitive applications.
- Recruit, mentor, and develop research staff and students, fostering the next generation of science leaders.
- Deliver high-impact research outputs, including peer-reviewed publications, knowledge exchange, and societal/economic benefit.
- Maintain the highest standards of health, safety, biosafety, and research integrity.