Working in the Institute

Our diverse and collaborative community is central to our success. We are committed to encouraging, supporting and ensuring inclusivity and equal opportunities for all staff and students.

Building a sense of community, collegiate spirit and mutual respect are at the heart of everything we do.

Our world-leading science can only be delivered in a stimulating and diverse environment, in which our institute is far greater than the sum of its parts. To achieve this we:

  • Welcome and encourage discussion on themes of equality, diversity, inclusion and societal impact.
  • Encourage connections between our diverse research groups to meet future challenges and embed in our daily practice a more collaborative/sharing culture.
  • Create more opportunities for staff to meet informally (e.g. institute lunches, day trips, etc.) to share ideas and creative scholarship among research groups.
  • Share collaborative networks, information and expertise with our colleagues across the Institute so that everyone benefits.

This critical to ensure that we can nurture and support the next generation of future plant science leaders.

We have an excellent track record in supporting career development fellows. It is backed up with a mentoring and training programme to enable fellows to succeed as independent researchers.

The following websites give details on funding sources available for Fellowships.

Researchers at any career stage who are considering applying for an independent research fellowship are encouraged to discuss opportunities with the Head of Institute.

 

Professor Catherine Kidner

Head of Institute

  • Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences
  • School of Biological Sciences

Contact details

Address

Rutherford Building
The King's Buildings
Edinburgh
EH9 3JF

Our School’s annual career coaching programme provides many benefits to participants.

Coaching is a process that can help you realise your potential to maximise your performance and help you make changes. The coach can help you learn more about yourself and your abilities and help you formulate your own solutions to problems.

School Career coaching

Career development support from the University


We have a number of initiatives supporting those with families, including:

Family Friendly Policies 

Maternity leave, partner leave, shared parental leave, flexible working as well as emergency time off for dependants policies and more.

Additional Caring Costs Fund 

To ensure that those with caring responsibilities are not disadvantaged in their ability to attend conferences, work related training or career development opportunities because of caring responsibilities for children or dependent adults.

Returning Parents Coaching

A programme to support the transition back to work after Maternity Leave, Shared Parental Leave or Adoption/Surrogacy Leave.

Working Carers Network

An initiative to create a place where parents and those with caring responsibilities across the School can connect.

Support for families


University's Disabled Staff Network

The network is open to all disabled staff and staff who care for someone with disabilities.

Our LGBT+ Bio

A social group and welcoming space for LGBT+ staff and students from School of Biological Sciences and their friends to share conversations and catch-up.

Working Carers Network

An initiative to create a place where parents and those with caring responsibilities across the School can connect.

Networks, Groups and Clubs

Other types of support

Our Equality and Diversity website includes all the support groups and resources available to staff and students.

Mental and Physical Health at Work

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Dignity and Respect


We offer guidance and information to new postdoctoral researchers, include moving to Edinburgh, what to do when you arrive, training and support.

Postdoctoral Researchers


This article was published on