Research Assistant

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full Time 37.5 Hours

Location: Rothamsted Research, Harpenden

Crop Health and Protection (CHAP) Ltd is one of four UK Agri-Tech Centres launched under BEIS supported by Innovate UK in 2015. As a unique, independent nexus between UK government, researchers and industry, CHAP builds innovation networks to identify and accelerate the development of cutting-edge solutions to drive transformative change in sustainable crop productivity.

The Role:

The role would suit an experienced Biology / Plant Science graduate. You would be working directly with our expert in the CHAP Digital Phenotyping Laboratory, with the opportunity to gain experience using advanced imaging systems/cameras / sensors to quantify plant and seed traits and crop pests and diseases.

Specific responsibilities will evolve as the research outcomes are evaluated and you will have the opportunity to shape this as a critical member of the team.

Main duties and responsibilities.

The following provides an overview of the role’s key responsibilities and measures.

• Using advanced sensors to detect plant traits, diseases and pests (mollusc and insect).
• Measuring and recording biological data.
• Plant growth and maintenance.
• Pest culture maintenance.
• Lab housekeeping.
• Manage project work packages.
• Assay development.
• Contributing to experimental design.
• Evaluate protocols, recommend improvements, make ongoing recommendations and implement changes.
• Desk-based research activities, and collaborating with members of the wider CHAP network.
• Record keeping.
• Keep up to date with literature, scientific and technological development within the sector and external but complementary to the sector.

Personal skills:

• Enthusiastic
• Self-motivated, able to work without direct supervision but collaborates well in team
• Attentive to detail and organised
• Good time management skills
• Excellent communication both written and verbal
• Computer proficient with a good working knowledge of standard office programmes and an ability to learn new software quickly (for vendor specific instrumentation)

Qualifications and Experience:

• A Biology / Plant Science graduate; degree or equivalent
• Laboratory or glasshouse-based research experience would be very beneficial
• Project management experience would be an advantage.

For more information and an informal confidential discussion please call Shannon Wasley on: 01885 498178 / 07496 380088 or e-mail your CV and covering letter TO shannon.wasley@delacyexecutive.co.uk