The Ineos Oxford Institute (IOI) was created following a significant gift from INEOS to the University of Oxford in 2021. The Institute aims to rapidly advance research, education, and collaboration in search of solutions to the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). IOI scientists apply state of the art medicinal chemistry and microbiology to antibacterial drug discovery to enable and promote the development of breakthrough new treatments for human bacterial infections. The IOI will become a centre of world-class scientific talent, working collaboratively with a growing number of bodies focusing on AMR across the world. It seeks to stimulate innovation and collaboration within academia and with industry and government. The overarching ambition is to be a world leading institution for the discovery of novel antibiotics and new approaches to combatting antimicrobial resistance.

In addition to research, IOI’s training and education programmes attracts the next generation of research leaders to advance science and promote interdisciplinary approaches to address AMR.

The IOI is now looking for a new Director who will have an exciting and transformational opportunity to lead and develop the strategy, vision, growth, and long-term success of the Institute in its next phase. The IOI presents a unique opportunity to harness expertise across the University. We are seeking an individual with an international scientific track record relating to antimicrobial resistance and/or drug development. The successful candidate will ideally have existing relationships with at least one group of key stakeholders including funders, NGOs, policy makers, and pharma. The Director should be highly research active prior to this role and space in the state-of-the art laboratories will be made available to their group in the Life and Mind Building in Autumn 2025.

How to Apply

The University of Oxford have engaged Perrett Laver to support the Search Committee with this appointment. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Lucy Roper at lucy.roper@perrettlaver.com or +(44)20 3928 7358.

Application is by submission of a curriculum vitae and a covering letter of application, addressing the job description and person specification, and including suitable daytime and evening telephone contact details. Completed applications should be uploaded by the deadline of 9:00 GMT on Monday 17^th March 2025.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please advise us of these so that we can make appropriate arrangements.

Perrett Laver believes that excellence will be achieved through recognising the value of every individual. A broad range of perspectives, backgrounds, and opinions amongst our global community of colleagues is crucial in maintaining our culture of openness, intellectual curiosity, and creativity. We take an active role in supporting under-represented communities and groups in becoming better and more fairly represented in the leadership of all organisations. We also know that diverse and inclusive teams have a positive impact on our ability to identify, engage and secure candidates from these groups. 

Our commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, identity, and experience drives us every day – for clients, for candidate identification and in the recruitment, development, and retention of colleagues.  

To ensure inclusion on the basis of age, disability, ethnic or national origin, family circumstance, gender, gender identity, marital status, nationality, political or religious beliefs, race, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, we would like to specifically invite applications from under-represented groups. 

Privacy Policy 

Protecting your personal data is of the utmost importance to Perrett Laver and we take this responsibility very seriously. Any information obtained by our trading divisions is held and processed in accordance with the relevant data protection legislation. The data you provide us with is securely stored on our computerised database and transferred to our clients for the purposes of presenting you as a candidate and/or considering your suitability for a role you have registered interest in. 

Perrett Laver is a Data Controller and a Data Processor, as defined under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our legal basis for much of our data processing activity is ‘Legitimate Interests’. You have the right to object to us processing your data in this way. For more information about this, your rights, and our approach to Data Protection and Privacy, please visit our website http://www.perrettlaver.com/information/privacy/