Senior or Junior Field Technician

JOB DESCRIPTION

A Senior or Junior Field Technician is required to assess the glasshouse and field performance of microbes (endophytes), with respect to their ability to improve crop performance and resilience. The technician will help optimise and develop generic and specific bioindicator tests as a measure of soil and plant health. The technician will test and optimise their potential to improve plant performance in the field and also assist with glasshouse studies. They will help select optimal microbial consortia for the field studies, travel within Ireland the UK and Europe to assess the performance of endophytes (in collaboration with partner trial sites), and conduct assessments of the impact of endophytes on grain quality. In addition, they will conduct studies to assess the impacts of endophytes on the soil and plant microbiome, which will involve collection of soil and plant samples in Ireland, the UK and the EU, and working with laboratory-based technicians and partner companies, using DNA-based technology to assess the impact of endophyte applications on the soil and plant microbiome. 

REQUIREMENTS

Applicants at the level of Junior Field Technician should have a good honours degree and preferably Masters degree in an appropriate discipline such as crop or plant science. Excellent technical skills and experience of working in a field and glasshouse setting are essential. Applicants at the level of Senior Field Technician require a PhD or be able to additionally demonstrate a high level of relevant industrial experience and an ability to manage and supervise other staff. The successful candidate should be highly motivated, have good communication skills and must be prepared to work within a multidisciplinary team. Possession of a driving licence is desirable. 

THE COMPANY

CropBiome is a start-up company that developed proprietary agricultural microbial products for commercial crop applications, primarily as seed coatings, that enhance yield and stress tolerance, particularly under reduced input conditions. Our products are tested and trialled for their ability to improve plant and soil health. We have isolated a large collection of microbes from the microbiome of crop wild relatives of mass-produced crops and have developed protocols to ferment and deliver these to market. The scientist will be part of a team that includes field scientists, lab scientists, and process technicians. The chief executive officer is Sean Daly, and the founders and advisors are Fiona Doohan, Trevor Hodkinson and Brian Murphy. This is an exciting opportunity to join this dynamic team in new state of the art laboratories at the University College Dublin Innovation Campus, NOVA UCD.

APPLICANTS

Applicants should send a cv and covering letter to Fiona.doohan@cropbiome.com 

The Position will remain open until the post is filled.

Salary is dependent on experience and qualifications and offered in the range €45,000 to €54,000. 

Closing date: until position filled. 

Further information: Fiona.doohan@cropbiome.com 

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