About Us

The John Innes Centre is an independent and world-leading international centre of excellence in plant science and microbiology, involved in cutting-edge, high quality fundamental, strategic and applied research.  We are based at the Research Park in Norwich, a vibrant city rich in arts, culture, music, nightlife, and tourism and within easy reach of the Broads and the stunning Norfolk coast.

The strength of our faculty comes from our ability to attract the best researchers, research support staff and students from the UK, Europe and internationally - whilst our diverse community creates a vibrant, dynamic and intellectually nurturing environment for both training and scientific discovery and is a primary driver of our scientific effectiveness.

Our scientific reputation is built on our commitment to excellence and to training and developing our staff and students, our strengths in research, publications and economic impact, the provision of outstanding research facilities and through a high performing environment, underpinned scientifically by state-of-the-art scientific facilities.

Our institute fosters a creative, curiosity-driven approach to fundamental questions in bio-science, with a view to translating that into societal benefits. Over the last 100 years, we have achieved a range of fundamental breakthroughs, resulting in major societal impacts.

Our teams include biologists, chemists, computational modellers, physicists, mathematicians and a wide range of researchers, all working together to tackle big challenges and to make new discoveries which underpin scientific knowledge.

“It is only through combining scientific excellence with strategic relevance that we can address the major societal and environmental challenges that lie ahead"
Prof Dale Sanders – Director (Read more about our mission)

Research & Impact

We nurture a creative, curiosity led approach to answering fundamental questions in bioscience, and translate that knowledge into societal benefits.   
 
Our research aims to address global challenges and our knowledge of plants and microbes is used to solve global challenges, as well as having a significant impact on industrial biotechnology.

Find out more about:

• Our Research Groups
• Genes in the Environment
• Chemicals from Nature
• Plant Health
• Future Wheat
• Technology Platforms
• Our work with Industry

Careers and Study

The John Innes Centre provides a broad range of opportunities for personal and career development for all staff in order to achieve ‘lifelong employability’ and we are passionate about inspiring and enabling the next generation of STEMM professionals. 

>Take a look at our Career Pathways here.

We are committed to the career development of all our staff and students and to an equal opportunities agenda that encourages flexible working, career development and work-life balance.  Whether you have a passion for supporting scientific excellence or progressing fundamental or strategic plant and microbial science the John Innes Centre is the place for you.

Work Experience 

We run a range of work experience programmes, for students of a variety of ages, including:

• Year 10 Science Camp: Explore how some of the world’s best plant and microbial scientists work on their research and learn about how the science of today is reality of tomorrow
• Nuffield Research Placements: Enables first-year sixth formers from across Norfolk who perhaps haven’t previously considered a career in science to carry out a 4-week placement during July and August
• Women of the Future: A unique event designed to inspire the next generation of female STEMM professionals

You can find out more about all of our work experience programme on our website.

Graduates and undergraduates 

We currently have over 100 postgraduate research students, who are part of a larger research community whose innovative aims, goals and research has ground breaking influences on people’s lives. 

Our Postgraduate Opportunities offer excellent supervisory support, a fantastic training and development programme, state of the art facilities, and a strong vibrant community.  We also run two summer schools, helping undergraduates continue their STEMM careers and gain experience in a variety of fields and disciplines.  Find out more on our website.