Senior Laboratory Technician

Wild Bioscience, a University of Oxford spinout developing climate-resilient crops, has expanded its operations at Milton Park following a £45 million Series A investment led by the Ellison Institute of Technology. Oxford Science Enterprises, Braavos and the University of Oxford provided continued support. The company has increased its footprint by 4,560 square feet to total 16,000 square feet, including new laboratory and office space. The expansion has enabled Wild Bioscience to triple its plant output within months, with particular focus on precision-bred wheat. The 40-person company has strengthened its leadership team with two senior appointments: Lisa Flashner, EIT's chief operating officer, joins as non-executive director, whilst Dr Stuart Harrison becomes chief business officer after 24 years at Syngenta. Wild Bioscience uses AI-driven modelling to identify traits from wild plant species for developing climate-resistant crops.

Ellison Institute of Technology unveils designs for Oxford Science Park. 24th March 2026 New designs for buildings in Oxford Science Park were revealed last month, drafted by Foster + Partners and funded by the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT). The designs are part of The Daubeny Project, which involves the construction of three new buildings with "enhanced lab infrastructure designed to support cutting-edge research", including over 70% of space on each floor available for laboratories. EIT owns the buildings, with revisions to the initial three building designs lodged in February. These designs reduce the number of parking spaces available to the buildings, outline plans for a Generative Biology Institute (GBI) and a Plant Biology Institute (PBI), and include atria to connect the structures of The Daubeny Project. The first of the three spaces of The Daubeny Project had a "topping out" in April of 2025, which is usually when the tallest part of the structure is added. The Project was scheduled for completion in 2026, although it is unclear how the revisions affect those plans. Oxford Science Park, located southeast of Oxford in Littlemore, is primarily owned by Magdalen College. It is a growing research area for almost 100 firms interested in STEM. The Park employs over 3,000 people, with 250,000 square feet of building development underway. Foster + Partners, the architectural firm involved in this project and in EIT's campus, designs a wide range of buildings internationally, including office parks and airports. A spokesperson for EIT told Cherwell: "Foster + Partners has been a trusted, long-term and integral partner in the design of EIT's master plan vision of a campus built for impact. EIT sought [Foster + Partners'] engagement for GBI & PBI because EIT knew they could deliver a unique and thoughtful design. They've thoroughly engaged with GBI & PBI to understand their requirements, and EIT very much look forward to executing this vision." EIT also owns land on the western section of the park, which it has allotted to its own campus. It includes both new and pre-existing buildings, some of which are already under construction. It will include teaching, meeting, clinical, and laboratory spaces. Event spaces include "a 250-seat auditorium" at Littlemore House (one of the originally existing structures) and "a wooden geodesic dome, with rotating solar shading" in a new structure. The campus is also "targeting BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Platinum accreditation". A "topping out" ceremony for Littlemore House was celebrated earlier in February. EIT's Senior Director of Real Estate Matt Abney stated: "From the very beginning, EIT's Oxford campus has been far more than just creating a functional space. It is being built as the future home for exceptional minds across the science, technology, and engineering disciplines - and as a catalyst for meaningful innovation." The EIT press office told Cherwell that the EIT campus buildings are set to be in use in 2027. While funding from the institute was restructured and reduced last fall, EIT's construction projects appear to continue. EIT's Global President is Santa Ono, now a senior research fellow at Worcester College. Foster + Partners has been approached for comment. 20th March 2026 4th March 2026 11th March 2026 4th March 2026 8th March 2026

Oxford University launches equitable innovation partnership. A regional partnership, Equinox, launched at Rhodes House on Monday. Equinox stands for Equitable Innovation Oxford and includes the University of Oxford, the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), and Oxfordshire County Council. Vice-Chancellor Irene Tracey, Anneliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, and Chair of Oxford Growth Commission Neale Coleman were among the speakers at the launch. Speaking at the launch, Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister for Science, Research, and Innovation, described Oxfordshire's innovation ecosystem's success as "vital for [the UK's] national missions of growth". One of the flagship measures of the new initiative is to dynamise the local economy, particularly through the development of local transport infrastructure. Keynote speakers emphasised the reopening of the Cowley branch line, the construction of the East-West rail line to Cambridge via Milton Keynes, as well as the synchronisation of bus schedules and train arrivals to avoid long wait times at the station. Neale Coleman OBE, Chair of the Oxford Growth Commission, also highlighted the need to transform the Oxford railway station, including plans to "build two new platforms" and "two new station buildings". He added that there was a "need to transform the entrance to the city", describing it as "not worthy of Oxford", particularly given the popularity of its touristic activity. A recurring theme underscored by the various speakers was the "equitable" aspect of the Equinox initiative, each eager to ensure the interests of all actors and communities were represented. A senior official speaking to Cherwell said they took particular attention to "think about who wasn't at the table". The Oxford Cambridge Arc, initially announced in February 2025, was described as playing a key role in the Equinox initiative. The Vice-Chancellor particularly stressed the creation of a "super-cluster" of competitiveness in the two university towns, that others would struggle to rival with. The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) is an Oxford-based commercial research institution, housing departments focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), clinical medicine, generative biology, and sustainable energy. EIT was founded by the Chief Technology Officer of Oracle Larry Ellison, who recently earned the title of the "world's richest man", and is reported to be a close ally of Donald Trump. EIT has recently launched a number of projects, including a £118 million investment in Oxford AI vaccine research. The Chief Operations Officer of the EIT stated: "By connecting leading universities, businesses, and government, this partnership addresses a critical investment gap and will help groundbreaking ideas reach their full potential." Another initiative announced at the Equinox event was the launch of the NatWest Accelerator for early-stage ventures. This aims to encourage entrepreneurship in the region, particularly among those graduating from Oxford University, and to provide "tailored growth support with specialist banking expertise to help start-ups", in order to access funding and scale their businesses. Tracey said: "Oxford University has always been a place where great and ground-breaking ideas begin - but its responsibility is to ensure they can develop, thrive and have impact here in its region. Equinox brings together the extraordinary talent, research and entrepreneurial drive of Oxfordshire to create a more connected, equitable innovation ecosystem where everyone benefits. "By working in true partnership - across universities, business, government and communities - we can turn discovery into opportunity, and opportunity into shared prosperity. This is the power of Oxford's innovation: generous service to society."