Dr Andy Kindness takes over Environmental and Biochemical Sciences group leadership

“I am looking forward to working at the James Hutton Institute and being part of a team that carries out world-class research that will make a difference to society.”

The James Hutton Institute is pleased to announce that Dr Andy Kindness has taken over the leadership of the Environmental and Biochemical Sciences group from 1^st November.

The Institute’s Environmental and Biochemical Sciences group comprises over 80 scientists and spans a range of disciplines with research encompassing entirely laboratory-based work to ecosystem-scale research across landscapes and rivers.

Three key areas of work are the chemical makeup of food crops and control of this through plant breeding; research on soils, covering not only their distribution and classification but also function, composition and physical properties; and the management of river catchments and biogeochemistry of watercourses.

Additionally, EBS has a large collection of analytical instrumentation which is used to support Hutton research and generate external income through James Hutton Limited, the Institute’s commercial subsidiary.

Dr Kindness’ joins the Institute from Aberdeen University’s School of Natural and Computing Sciences, where he coordinated a postgraduate MSc in Oil & Gas Chemistry, was responsible for recruitment of students for this course and helped develop curricula, increased industry interaction, student numbers and student satisfaction.

His previous experience includes time as Dean of Chemistry and Physics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa during which he oversaw the building and equipping of new teaching and state of the art research facilities which facilitated the school becoming the top producer of post-graduate students and Chemistry publications on the African continent.  

Dr Kindness said: “I am looking forward to working at the James Hutton Institute and being part of a team that carries out world-class research that will make a difference to society.”

Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive, commented: “I am delighted to have Andy take this role. He is highly respected in his own field and has influential national and international networks.  He has had considerable experience in leading science and has a thorough understanding of the breadth of environmental and biochemical sciences we do at the Institute. 

“I am therefore sure he will help us in our goal of producing science that makes a difference to people and supports the sustainable use of land and natural resources.”