Environmental Biologist

Job Title:          Environmental Biologist

Location:          On-site

Job Type:         Full-time

 

Company overview

We are Elaniti and we help farmers and agronomists unlock the power of their soil microbiome for healthier harvests. Soil is fundamental to life on Earth – our soils are responsible for 95% of the food we eat. But through conventional farming, our soils are becoming increasingly degraded. The transition to sustainable and regenerative agriculture has become urgent and inevitable, and must be expedited if we are to reach our Net Zero goals.

Elaniti works within the agricultural sector to support yield, nutrient use efficiency and disease management objectives, leveraging advancements in DNA sequencing, bioinformatics, and Machine Learning / AI to provide increasingly precise decision support to growers.

 

Job Overview

We are seeking a passionate Environmental Biologist (inc. Microbiologist, Molecular Biologist, Ecologist or similar), as we continue to enhance our agricultural soil intelligence solutions. The successful candidate will likely have a background in academic research, with post-doc or industry experience preferred but not essential.

The role will include management of Elaniti’s agricultural soil science laboratory at Discovery Park, Sandwich, Kent. As such only candidates who are able to be onsite during normal working hours should apply.

 

Key Responsibilities:

  • Establish and lead robust DNA/RNA extraction and QA processes on soil and other environmental samples
  • Manage customer samples in, ensuring SOPs are followed to preserve sample integrity
  • Perform experimental research to test and validate microbial functional annotations
  • Work collaboratively with bioinformatics and data science personnel to develop and test hypotheses using various analytics techniques
  • Provide line management support to the lab team (technicians, research scientists) as we scale our capabilities
  • Actively contribute to driving forward Elaniti’s vision and mission

 

About you

Education

PhD degree in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Ecology or similar, along with relevant work experience.

Experience

  • Have previously worked in positions of significant responsibility
  • Strong experience leading projects from ideation through to completion
  • Handling and organising large sample sets (desirable)
  • Lab protocol automation to increase sample throughput (desirable)

Technical Skills

  • Proficiency in nucleic acid extraction, purification, amplification, analysis and optimisation of protocols for challenging matrices
  • User / operator of commonly used DNA sequencing techniques
  • Microbial culturing and genetic engineering experimental design and delivery for functional annotation and validation
  • Familiar with common bioinformatics workflows for taxonomic and functional annotations of microbial communities (desirable)
  • Basic programming skills for data handling / custom analysis (desirable)

Soft Skills

  • Excellent problem-solving and parallel thinking abilities
  • Accountability seeking behaviour, adaptability, and strong work ethic
  • Diligent and pragmatic, paying very close attention to detail
  • Impact-driven, with a passion for nature-based solutions addressing the climate emergency

We have an open mind in terms of the experience and background a successful candidate may bring. If you do not meet all the criteria on the list but still think you are a good fit, please reach out. If you are passionate about our work, and excited to learn, we would love to hear from you!

 

Benefits:

  • Competitive salary
  • Share options in a fast growing company for this integral role
  • 30 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays)
  • Full time onsite at Elaniti’s lab in Discovery Park, Sandwich, Kent
  • Pension scheme
  • Personal development budget

 

Recruitment process

Send your CV to careers@elaniti.com and a brief note describing your interest. If you are selected to go further, the process will proceed as follows:

  • Initial video call with one of the team
  • Chat with CEO
  • Chat with Head of Bioinformatics
  • Offer

 

Work authorisation

  • United Kingdom (required)

Discovery Spark concludes with Protalea Bio named winner of Cancer Tech Accelerator spot

Discovery Park has successfully concluded its latest Discovery Spark programme, an intensive business growth catalyst supporting early-stage start-ups. Designed to help innovators refine their commercial strategies, build investor readiness, and connect with likeminded peers and industry specialists, the programme culminated in pitches from 10 pioneering companies dedicated to improving cancer treatment and patient outcomes.

This oncology-themed cohort, supported by Capital Enterprise, NHS Kent & Medway Cancer Alliance, and the University of Kent, brought together businesses developing future empowering solutions in diagnostics, therapeutics, AI and medical technologies. Over the course of the programme, participants gained invaluable mentorship and took part in expert-led workshops to propel their ventures forward.

Following an intensive final pitch day, Capital Enterprise nominated Protalea Bio and its founder, Elena Pavlova, the winner of a prestigious place on the Cancer Tech Accelerator (CTA) Bootcamp, an accelerator created by Cancer Research UK and Cancer Research Horizons with grant support from some of the UK’s leading cancer charities. Protalea Bio impressed the judges with a clear and compelling pitch, showcasing groundbreaking research that aligns perfectly with the support offered by the Cancer Tech Accelerator. Protalea Bio is pioneering cell therapies and bispecific biologics to tackle cancers and autoimmune diseases, particularly blood cancers, by targeting sphingolipid metabolism. The support from CTA will be instrumental in accelerating the company’s scientific and commercial development, helping advance Protalea Bio’s path to market.

Elena Pavlova, Founder of Protalea Bio said, “I am incredibly honoured and excited to have been awarded a place in the Cancer Tech Accelerator Bootcamp through Discovery Spark. The programme has been wonderful, providing insightful guidance and mentorship. This next step with CTA will be crucial in advancing our research and making a greater impact in oncology.”

Discovery Park and its partners recognised the exceptional quality of all participating companies, leading to a split prize approach. Rather than a single company receiving the entire package, the prizes were allocated based on which companies would benefit most from specific support areas. Selected participants will receive free tailored support from Discovery Park’s host of prize partners, including:

  • Abel+Imray (IP & Patent Support)
  • Absolute Diversity (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Coaching)
  • Alchemy Street (Presentation Training)
  • Barclays Eagle Labs (Coworking space & Mentorship)
  • Cripps (Legal & Contractual Support)
  • Discovery Park (Lab & Office space)
  • DLRC (Regulatory & Compliance Advice)
  • Kreston Reeves (Financial & Tax Planning)
  • Probacure (Business Development Consulting)
  • Project Fusion (Data Room & File Sharing Package)
  • SRG (Talent & Recruitment Coaching)
  • The Good Stuff (Marketing & Branding Support)

This collaborative approach ensures that all companies in the cohort stand to receive elements of the resources, expertise, and network connections they need to succeed.

Discovery Park is firmly establishing itself as a centre of excellence for oncology innovation, supporting start-ups and scale-ups at the forefront of cancer research and treatment. The programme aligns with the Park’s ongoing commitment to building an ecosystem of world-class cancer technology businesses.

Dr. Renos Savva, Head of Innovation & Venture Development at Discovery Park, commented: “We’ve been truly impressed by the ambition and ingenuity of all the participants. The Discovery Spark programme continues to attract some of the most promising start-ups, and we are thrilled to see Protalea Bio receive well-deserved recognition from our partner Capital Enterprise. We look forward to seeing their technologies transform cancer diagnostics and treatment in the years ahead.”

If you’re an early-stage innovator in all fields of science and technology, Discovery Spark offers an invaluable opportunity to develop your business and grow your network. Register your interest now to be notified when applications open for the next cohort: https://discovery-park.co.uk/discovery-spark/

Sustainability Breakfast April 2025

📅 Wednesday April 30th ⏰ 08:00 – 10:00 AM 📍 Barclays Eagle Labs, Discovery Park, Sandwich

Join us for a wrap-up on sustainability month at the Barclays Eagle Lab in Discovery Park.

The event will be an opportunity to network with likeminded businesses in the area and discuss the sustainability related issues facing the world. We’ll also hear from a range of speakers about what they’re doing in their particular industries, and what sustainable practices you can take away to address your own goals.

A light breakfast will be provided from 8:30am, featuring locally sourced food and drink.

Speaker Profiles:

Martin White: Four years ago under lockdown, and as part of his personal journey towards greater self-awareness of the environment and climate change, Martin founded his own sustainability consultancy Green Business Hub. Martin now advises a diverse range of private and public sector clients on their ESG strategy, encouraging them to think more holistically about sustainability rather than solely focusing on climate action and ‘Net Zero’ – because they have to – to include alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and increasingly ‘Social Value Add’ frameworks.

Andrew Pledger: Andrew is the Ecosystem Manager at Barclays Eagle Labs in Discovery Park. The Eagle Labs mission is to connect the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through a network of business incubators, expertise and support. With access to over 325 years of business expertise and connections, Eagle Labs are a community resource available for everybody. Whether you’re an inventor, an innovator or a mentor, Eagle Labs spaces are conducive to nurturing and growing your idea with support from Barclays and the Eagle Labs network.

More speakers to be announced shortly.

Register online

Thriving Through Menopause: A Workplace Guide

📅 Thursday April 24th ⏰ 12:30 – 1:30 PM 📍 Barclays Eagle Labs, Discovery Park, Sandwich

Menopause affects energy, focus, and confidence—but small changes can make a huge difference.

Many women hit their 40s and 50s and suddenly find themselves struggling at work in ways they never have before. Poor sleep, brain fog, and anxiety creep in. Energy and motivation drop. And in a workplace that doesn’t acknowledge menopause, it’s easy to feel like you’re just not keeping up.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

This session is all about giving you practical tools to feel more in control—whether you’re experiencing menopause yourself or want to better support the women you work with.

What You’ll Get:

✔ A better understanding of what’s happening in your body and why it’s affecting work (it’s not just in your head, and you’re not imagining it!).

✔ Small, simple changes that can have an instant impact on focus, energy, and confidence.

✔ How businesses can create a more menopause-friendly workplace—without big policies or awkward conversations.

✔ A chance to ask questions and hear from others in the same boat.

The more you know about what’s happening, the easier it is to adapt and feel like yourself again.

Whether you’re an employee, a manager, or a business owner, this session will help you make menopause less of a struggle and more of a smooth transition—at work and in life.

Come along and leave with real, practical steps to start feeling better.

Book your spot now

Innovation Showcase spotlights Kent entrepreneurs

Written by Emily Collins – Communications Officer, University of Kent

On 27 February, Kent teamed up with Discovery Park to host their second joint Innovation Showcase, a celebration of the research-driven technologies and business start-ups emerging from the region’s thriving innovation ecosystem.

The event provided a platform for researchers and entrepreneurs to share their experiences of the business start-up journey, exchange ideas, pitch new innovations to prospective partners, and find out about the range of support available to those looking to turn innovative ideas into a business opportunity.

Amongst the innovations showcased were:

  • Patented recombinant protein technology (Sirius Proteins), developed by Dr Karen Baker within Professor Dan Mulvihill’s lab, which is making protein production for biotechnology, health, food, cosmetics and energy production more accessible and affordable.
  • Unique florescence technology developed by Dr Jose Ortega-Roldan which, through DrugUptech, offers a cheaper and faster means to test for the uptake of drugs in cells, with applications in drug discovery.
  • A novel approach by Dr Helen Cockerton and her lab to introduce disease-resilience in plants without the need for genetic modification.
  • Software developed by Professor Tobias von der Haar and his colleagues which accelerates the process of identifying mRNA sequences for the manufacture of gene therapies and vaccines to treat disease.
  • Non-invasive, high resolution optical imaging technology that Dr Michael Hughes and his team are looking to apply in a wide range of medical and industrial situations.

The showcase was organised as part of Kent’s Impact Acceleration Account scheme which is enabling the University to use Government-awarded funding via the AHRCBBSRC and MRC to flexibly support research and innovation at all levels in the arts and humanities, biotechnology and biological sciences, and medicine and healthcare. Many of the innovations discussed on the day have received support from the scheme, as well as from Discovery Park’s Discovery Spark programme and Barclays Eagle Labs.

Kerry Barber, Director of Research and Innovation Support, said: ‘This event highlighted the incredible innovation and real-world impact aided by the University of Kent’s UKRI-funded Impact Acceleration Accounts. The invaluable support from Discovery Park is also helping to turn bold ideas into reality, giving projects the foundation they need to thrive.

Events like these are vital for bringing people together, fostering new collaborations, and sparking ideas – it was truly inspiring to see that one of this year’s presenters began their journey through conversations at a previous event. We are therefore incredibly grateful to our funders – the BBSRC and MRC – for their continued support in helping to drive forward innovation within the Kent and Medway region.’

Professor Michelle Garrett, Lead for the Medical Research Council IAA, said: ‘It was fantastic to be involved in such an informative and interactive event. We were able to share how some of our IAA projects are moving towards commercialisation and facilitate new collaborations between different stakeholders who attended the day.’

Renos Savva, Head of Innovation and Venture Development, said: ‘It was great to see such incredible commercial potential in local R&D and a strong appetite for entrepreneurship at this year’s Innovation Showcase. An inspiring day filled with insights from ex-Pharma researchers, academics, postdocs, and tech-driven start-up founders – many of whom have benefited from Discovery Park’s ecosystem and are now developing some ground-breaking research. The event was buzzing with collaboration, and it was exciting to see translation-ready ideas turning into reality, proof that innovation thrives in the right environment.’