The hunt has begun for a world-leading scientist to fill the role of Chief Executive Officer at the new scientific research institute to be formed from SCRI (Scottish Crop Research Institute) and the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute.

Advertisements for the post will appear in the UK press and scientific journals next week.

It was announced last October that SCRI in Invergowrie and Aberdeen based Macaulay Institute will come together by April 2011 to form the new research centre. The Moredun Research Institute (MRI) on the outskirts of Edinburgh - internationally recognised for its work on livestock – is expected to be an affiliate.

Earlier this week Ray Perman was revealed as the new institute’s Chairman. He is a former chair of WWF Scotland and a trustee of WWF UK. He was a board member of Scottish Enterprise until December 2009 and chair of Social Investment Scotland.

Mr Perman said: "We will be forming the board of the new institute very quickly, with representation from both MLURI and SCRI boards plus new independent members. Our priority task then will be to appoint a chief executive.

"The merger is being driven by a strong science case, so we are looking for an exceptional scientist to lead the new institute, helping it to achieve its full potential in contributing to solutions to some of the major resource problems the earth faces."

The Scottish Government has described the new institute as a powerhouse for research into food, land use and climate change.

It will be the first institute of its kind in Europe and the new organisation is expected to create an international office to reinforce its global presence.

SCRI and the Macaulay already have extensive global links: SCRI has international development links to Africa and trade links to China and the Macaulay is active in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Both have international reputations for the quality of their scientific research. Recently, SCRI’s genetics team was described by independent experts as “the world leader in barley and soft fruit genetics” and scientists at the Macaulay are currently working on research projects worth £5 million including £1.8 million competively secured from the European Commission.

The New Institute is expected to commence operations on 1 April 2011.

Notes to editors

The Scottish Government provides £23 million to both SCRI (£13 million) and the Macaulay (£10 million) for bespoke research - about three-quarters of their income. The organisations also have contracts from the European Union and other research sponsors.

The Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI), based at Invergowrie, Dundee employs around 330 staff and has an income of nearly £19 million. Its scientists work on potato and soft fruit breeding, pests and disease control, food quality, plant-land interactions and genetics.

The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, based in Aberdeen, employs around 300 staff and has an income of over £16 million. It has expertise in land use and sustainable development. In addition to its core research programmes, the institute provides research and consultancy services to a wide range of organisations, including industrial sectors as diverse as oil and gas, and food.

More information from:

Phil Taylor, Head of Communications, SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA. Tel: 01382 560044 (direct line), Mobile: 07810 860 701 or

Clare Neely, PR and Communications Manager, The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH. Tel: 01224 395087.