Living in Norfolk
Whether you are coming to join us through a new job, or are just visiting, Norfolk is a great place to be. Living here is even better.
Norwich is an historic city with a rich culture of art, literature, and sport. This ‘city of stories’ is also a hub of research excellence - home to some of the leading scientific centres in the UK.
With regular trains to Cambridge and London, plenty of city bus routes, and an international airport, the city is well-connected. Consistently voted as one of the best places to live and happiest places to work in the UK, you’re sure to fall in love with Norwich and create your own stories here.
Life in Norfolk is relaxed and exciting at the same time, whether you’re into the vibrant nightlife or the stunning natural beauty of the Norfolk Broads. You'll find an exciting blend of the old and the new, with plenty of things to do for all ages, all year round.
The Earlham Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park - a cluster of world-class research centres for biosciences, including the John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory and the Quadram Institute Bioscience, and with the University of East Anglia and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital right on our doorstep. The park is made up of over 2,000 scientists and 13,000 students.
We work closely with researchers across the Park, as well as a wide range of national and international collaborators, to bring together the right expertise to tackle some of the biggest scientific challenges facing the planet.
Norfolk is rich in natural beauty and has a hugely varied landscape - from stunning beaches along the coast to the world-famous Norfolk Broads - with over a hundred miles of rivers and lakes. There are many villages and towns to visit across the county and the countryside is perfect for fans of walking and cycling.
For those who prefer a bit of retail therapy, Norwich is one of the UK’s top 10 shopping destinations with its two shopping centres, one of the largest open-air markets in the country, and hundreds of boutique local shops.
The Norwich Lanes are a unique network of historic streets, courtyards, and open spaces home to independent shops, cafes, galleries, and bars. The city comes alive at night with everything from trendy new restaurants to pubs, clubs and bars where you can dance the night away.
Living and working in Norfolk is generally considered to be more affordable than other places in the UK and South-East, such as Cambridge or London, giving you greater flexibility with living options, whether that’s renting or purchasing property. Find out more.
If you are relocating to Norfolk for work at EI, our Business Support Team is available to help provide support and information of sourcing places to stay.
Norfolk is also a great place for those with children. Not only are there plenty of things to do, but there are also many excellent nurseries, schools, and colleges in the area. There is an excellent network of high schools and colleges for 16-18 year olds, as well as two universities - the University of East Anglia and Norwich University of the Arts.
Visit the Norfolk County Council website for more information on family services available in the area.
It takes a team to make the next breakthrough, and we're looking for the best and brightest minds to join us in tackling some of the biggest challenges in life science.
We have created a culture that we are proud of, centred on openness, technical excellence and innovation. We attract staff from all around the world who benefit from an environment that enables them to deliver world-class science alongside a supportive and social community. We are committed to the principles of the Athena SWAN charter, and value equality and diversity across our workforce.
Our success relies on each individual experiencing an environment where they feel able to meaningfully contribute and connect to their work, colleagues, and the wider mission of the Institute.
We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that treats every individual with dignity and respect. By taking an active approach to fostering inclusivity, diversity, equality and accessibility, we will empower our community to achieve more.