Research Associate/Fellow (Fixed term)

Location: Sutton Bonington

Applications are invited for a Research Associate/Fellow position to work on a project involving the use of additive manufacturing to develop a release system for fungal biopesticides for outdoor crops. The project is funded through the University of Nottingham EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account. This is a fixed-term, full-time (36.25 hours per week) appointment until 14^th December 2026.

The post holder will be based in the Plant and Crop Science Division (Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, UK) and will work under the supervision of Dr Almudena Ortiz-Urquiza, Dr Sina Fischer, and Professor Ricky Wildman. The project includes a 25-day secondment at CABI UK (Silwood Park, Ascot, UK) to collaborate with CABI partners (Dr Steve Edgington and Dr Alan Buddie) on the freeze-drying of fungal biopesticides. The project will cover travel and accommodation during the secondment. 

This project aims to address a major obstacle faced by arable farmers and growers in the UK who want to move away from harmful synthetic pesticides towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly biopesticide options. A key challenge to the adoption of biopesticides is ensuring they are delivered at the right time. To tackle this issue, we have developed triggerable biopesticide release systems that can be customised for both timed release and the delivery of multiple fungal biopesticides, helping to protect arable crops such as sugar beet and oilseed rape.

We are seeking a self-motivated candidate who is passionate about translating scientific research into commercial applications and working closely with our industrial partner, Shin-Etsu. Applicants must hold a PhD (or close to completion) in a relevant plant or crop science field, have experience growing plants under axenic and/or glasshouse conditions, and possess strong data analysis and communication skills. A thorough understanding of plant biology, plant-fungus/bacterium-soil interactions, and experience handling fungal or microbial cultures are essential. Experience in biopesticide crop protection and/or additive manufacturing is desirable. 

Further details:

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