Plant Genome Editing Scientist (Lettuce Transformation and CRISPR)

Carbon13 group; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

18‑month fixed-term contract

Ownership of high-impact programme

Professional development

Job summary

LeafyColl in Cambridge, UK is seeking a Plant Genome Editing Scientist (Lettuce Transformation and CRISPR) to lead genome editing from gene identification through transformation and validation. The role covers the full pipeline with hands-on transformation, tissue culture and molecular confirmation of edited lettuce lines.

The project aims to develop lettuce varieties with improved traits using CRISPR-Cas, with a strong emphasis on practical, bench-based work and collaboration within a startup

Qualifications

• PhD or near completion in plant molecular biology, plant biotechnology, plant genetics or related field.
• Proven success in generating, regenerating and sequence-confirming CRISPR-edited plants.
• Practical experience in Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation, tissue culture and whole-plant regeneration (lettuce preferred).
• Ability to run the full genome-editing workflow independently from construct design to regeneration and molecular validation.
• Experience identifying candidate genes for plant traits and designing genome-editing constructs.
• Ability to plan experiments, troubleshoot and collaborate well.

Responsibilities

• Identify and prioritise candidate genes for commercial traits using genomic data.
• Design CRISPR-Cas editing constructs and oversee their assembly.
• Evaluate advanced CRISPR tools where justified.
• Carry out lettuce transformation and optimise efficiency.
• Perform lettuce tissue culture, regeneration and rooting to establish whole plants.
• Confirm editing events by genotyping and sequencing.
• Develop transgene-free edited lines where feasible.
• Phenotype edited plants and report results against milestones.
• Collaborate with LeafyColl team and external partners.

Skills

CRISPR editing

Lettuce transformation

Tissue culture

Genotyping

Plant regeneration

Experiment planning

Education

PhD in plant molecular biology

Tools

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation

Genome editing workflow

Job description

Plant Genome Editing Scientist (Lettuce Transformation and CRISPR)

Company: LeafyColl
Location: Cambridge, UK
Salary: £37,694 to £45,049 per annum + pension
Hours: Full time
Contract: 18-month fixed term, extendable
Start date: 1 January 2027
Closing date: 15 November 2026

About LeafyColl

LeafyColl is a Cambridge-based plant biotechnology company. We use molecular biology, genome editing and synthetic biology to turn plants into high-value products.

We’re a small, collaborative and fast-moving team. Every scientist has real ownership of their work and a direct impact on our product pipeline.

The project

We’re developing new lettuce varieties with improved commercial traits using CRISPR-Cas genome editing. This role covers the whole pipeline:

• Identifying candidate genes
• Developing editing constructs
• Lettuce transformation
• Tissue culture and regeneration
• Producing 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).

The role

Day to day, you will:

• Identify and prioritise candidate genes for 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 where there’s a scientific case for them. These include alternative Cas nucleases, PAM-flexible variants and precise editing systems.
• Carry out Agrobacterium-mediated lettuce transformation and optimise transformation efficiency.
• Perform lettuce tissue culture, shoot regeneration and rooting, and establish whole plants.
• Confirm editing events by genotyping and sequencing.
• Develop and characterise transgene‑free edited lines where feasible.
• Phenotype edited plants and report reproducible results against project milestones.
• Work with the LeafyColl team and with external academic and industry partners.

Essential skills and experience

You’ll need:

• A PhD (or be 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 in Agrobacterium‑mediated plant transformation, tissue culture and whole‑plant regeneration, preferably in lettuce or related crops.
• The ability to run the full genome‑editing workflow independently. This means construct design and transformation through to regeneration, genotyping and molecular validation.
• Experience identifying candidate genes for plant traits and designing genome‑editing constructs.
• The ability to plan experiments independently, troubleshoot, document results and collaborate well.

Desirable skills and experience

It would also be great if you have:

• CRISPR editing, transformation and regeneration experience specifically in lettuce (Lactuca sativa).
• Experience transforming and regenerating commercially relevant vegetable cultivars.
• Experience with advanced CRISPR tools, such as Cas12a, multiplex editing, base editing and prime editing.
• Familiarity with engineered PAM‑flexible Cas variants (e.g. SpG or SpRY), guide optimisation and off‑target assessment.
• Experience with functional genomics and transient expression assays.
• Experience with miRNA, siRNA, RNAi or related gene‑silencing approaches.
• Plant phenotyping, metabolic engineering, or postdoctoral or industry experience.

You do not need every desirable skill to apply.

What we offer

• £37,694 to £45,049 per annum, plus company pension.
• An 18‑month fixed‑term contract. It may be extended or become permanent, depending on business needs and performance.
• Scientific ownership of a high‑impact programme in a fast‑paced, collaborative startup.
• Professional development, and the chance to work with leading academic and industry partners.

This role could suit a recent PhD graduate, a postdoc, or an industry scientist ready to move into a startup and see their work go from bench to market.

LeafyColl is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. Personal data submitted with applications will be used only for recruitment and handled in line with UK GDPR.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Informal enquiries are welcome at the same email address.