Plant Genome Editing Scientist

LeafyColl Ltd; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

LeafyColl Ltd., based in Cambridge, seeks a scientist to own a genome-editing programme for lettuce. You will identify candidate genes, design editing constructs, and drive transformation, culture, and regeneration to validated genome-edited plants.

The role requires hands-on success in generating and sequence-confirming genome-edited plants and experience with Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and tissue culture, preferably in lettuce.

Qualifications

• PhD (or near completion) in plant molecular biology, plant biotechnology, plant genetics or related field.
• Proven success generating, regenerating and sequence-confirming CRISPR-edited plants.
• Practical experience of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, tissue culture and whole-plant regeneration, preferably in lettuce or related crops.
• Experience identifying candidate genes for plant traits and designing genome-editing constructs.
• Ability to plan experiments independently, troubleshoot effectively and collaborate with others.

Responsibilities

• Identify and prioritise candidate genes underlying commercial traits using genomic, genetic and expression data.
• Design CRISPR-Cas editing constructs, including guide RNA selection, and oversee their assembly.
• Evaluate advanced CRISPR tools (Cas variants, base/prime editing) where justified.
• Carry out Agrobacterium-mediated lettuce transformation and optimise transformation efficiency.
• Perform lettuce tissue culture, shoot regeneration, rooting and establishment of whole plants.
• Confirm editing events by genotyping and sequencing, and develop transgene-free edited lines where feasible.
• Phenotype edited plants and report reproducible results against project milestones.
• Work collaboratively with the LeafyColl team and external partners.

Skills

Independent planning

Troubleshooting

Collaboration

Education

PhD in plant molecular biology (or near completion)

Tools

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation

Tissue culture

Whole-plant regeneration

Genotyping/ sequencing

Job description

LeafyColl is a Cambridge-based plant biotechnology startup using molecular biology, genome editing and synthetic biology to turn plants into high-value products. We are developing new lettuce varieties with improved commercial traits using CRISPR-Cas genome editing, and we are looking for a scientist to take ownership of this programme, from candidate-gene identification and construct design through lettuce transformation, tissue culture and regeneration to validated genome-edited plants.

Our primary requirement is proven hands‑on success in generating, regenerating and molecularly confirming genome-edited plants, ideally lettuce (Lactuca sativa).

• Salary: £37,694 to £45,049 per annum, plus company pension
• Contract: 18-month fixed-term, extendable, with potential to become permanent
• Start date: 1 January 2027

Responsibilities

• Identify and prioritise candidate genes underlying commercial traits using genomic, genetic and expression data
• Design CRISPR-Cas editing constructs, including guide RNA selection, and oversee their assembly
• Evaluate advanced CRISPR tools (alternative Cas nucleases, PAM-flexible variants, base and prime editing) where scientifically justified
• Carry out Agrobacterium-mediated lettuce transformation and optimise transformation efficiency
• Perform lettuce tissue culture, shoot regeneration, rooting and establishment of whole plants
• Confirm editing events by genotyping and sequencing, and develop transgene‑free edited lines where feasible
• Phenotype edited plants and report reproducible results against project milestones
• Work collaboratively with the LeafyColl team and external academic and industry partners

Qualifications: Essential

• PhD (or near completion) in plant molecular biology, plant biotechnology, plant genetics or a related field
• Demonstrated personal success in generating, regenerating and sequence‑confirming CRISPR‑edited plants
• Practical experience of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, tissue culture and whole‑plant regeneration, preferably in lettuce or related crops
• Experience identifying candidate genes for plant traits and designing genome‑editing constructs
• Ability to plan experiments independently, troubleshoot effectively and collaborate well with others

Qualifications: Desirable

• CRISPR editing, transformation and regeneration specifically in lettuce
• Transformation of commercially relevant vegetable cultivars
• Cas12a, multiplex, base or prime editing; PAM‑flexible Cas variants (e.g. SpG, SpRY); off‑target assessment
• Functional genomics, transient expression, or miRNA, siRNA and RNAi approaches
• Plant phenotyping, metabolic engineering, or postdoctoral or industry experience

You do not need every desirable skill to apply.

• Interviews will include a short presentation on your genome‑editing work. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK or Enquire it if you are a right fit. LeafyColl is an equal opportunities employer.