Capability Research Associate

Contract: Fixed Term 6 months, Full Time

Location: Rothamsted Research, Harpenden

Crop Health and Protection Limited (“CHAP”) is one of the four Centres for Agricultural Innovation and a key component of the UK Government’s Agri-Tech Strategy, aiming to spark scientific and technical innovation that enables transformational change and sustainable productivity in agriculture.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

The Role: The role would suit an experienced Biology / Plant Science graduate.  You would be working directly with our expert in the CHAP Fine Phenotyping Laboratory, with the opportunity to gain experience using advanced cameras / sensors to quantify plant traits, pests and disease.

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.  

Key Responsibilities and Measures:

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

• Act as the main operation CHAP contact for the facilities
• Using advanced sensors to detect plant traits, pest and diseases
• Measuring and recording biological data
• Plant growth and maintenance
• Lab maintenance
• Manage, plan and coordinate design of experiments with RREs and CHAP staff
• Maintain and develop protocols and SOPs with RREs staff
• Evaluate protocols, recommend improvements, make ongoing recommendations and implement changes
• Desk-based research activities, and collaborating with members of the wider CHAP network
• Keep up to date with literature, scientific and technological development within the sector and external but complementary to the sector.
• COSHH assessments and health and safety protocols
• Data analysis
• Staff mentoring and management
• Create and maintain an asset utilisation record
• Reporting on activities in line with CHAP reporting cycles

Person Specification:

• Enthusiastic.
• Self-motivated, able to work without direct supervision.
• Attentive to detail.
• 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.

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.

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