Research Assistant - Plant Ecology, Pests and Disease

Location: NIAB East Malling, New Road, East Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ

Working hours: 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday 

ABOUT THE JOB 

We are recruiting an organised, hard-working individual to join our friendly and busy team to help in the delivery of a wide range of research projects and commercial trials in the areas of ecology, pests and disease in horticulture. 

As a Research Assistant, your key duties include: 

• Field work, such as preparing trial materials and marking out trials; applying treatments (spraying); monitoring crop husbandry; collating experimental data (plant, disease, pests); accurate record keeping; biocontrol, pollinator and wildflower identification.
• Laboratory work, such as laboratory maintenance; molecular biology techniques (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR); microscopy; and culturing microbial strains in vitro, invertebrate identification, maintaining plant cultures.
• Conduct drone- and ground-based phenotyping in both commercial and academic projects.
• Data entry, quality checks and administration. 

Comprehensive training will be provided. 

You will be joining NIAB’s Pest & Pathogen Ecology Department, which aims to understand the ecology of pests, pathogens, host plants and natural enemies at community, whole organism and molecular levels to develop more effective and sustainable management of horticultural crops. 

The role at times can be physically demanding and includes working in all weather conditions outdoors and in polytunnels/glasshouses. In peak seasons, working pattern may vary from day to day. 

Location 

The role is based at East Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ.  East Malling is three miles from junction four of the M20, with plenty of free on-site parking.  NIAB East Malling can easily be accessed by the London Victoria to Dover (via Ashford International) rail route via West Malling station.  Alternatively, exit the train at the East Malling station and take the short walk onto site. 

Informal enquiries are welcome, please contact Tom Passey, Principal Scientific Assistant, Pest & Pathogen Ecology Department, tom.passey@niab.com 

Benefits include 25 days’ holiday plus public holidays and 3 days off during the Christmas period, flexible working, generous sick pay, attractive pension scheme, income protection, life assurance, employee discount scheme, free on-site parking and great colleagues. 

ABOUT YOU 

Essential requirements

Ideally you have: 

• BTEC/HND/A-Levels in science/horticulture or equivalent qualifications/experience
• Competency in Microsoft Office (ideally Word, Excel and SharePoint)
• Accurate observational and data recording skills with high attention to detail
• Practical experience of field and/or glasshouse work in a science or horticulture environment
• Full UK driving licence or access to independent means of travelling, enabling you to travel to grower sites.  Transport can be provided. 

Desirable requirements

Ideally you may also have:     

• BSc in biology/biological sciences or equivalent qualifications/experience in horticulture
• Pesticide application certification (PA1 and PA6 or PA9)
• Practical experience of working in a laboratory, especially in molecular biology
• Experience in microbiology and/or crop protection
• Knowledge of plant pest and pathogen identification
• Experience of operating a drone and/or machine based phenotyping

See full Job Description for more details by contacting human.resources@niab.com.

ABOUT US

NIAB – Plant science into practice

Come and join an organisation at the forefront of the application of genetics, physiology, soil science, precision agronomy and data science to improve the yield, efficiency, and resilience of crop production across the arable, forage and horticulture sectors.

NIAB actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. As a Disability Confident Employer we have a positive approach to employing people living with a disability. 

TO APPLY 

Click the ‘Apply’ button or visit our website https://www.niab.com/careers  for further details and to apply directly. Any questions? Email jobs@niab.com or call Human Resources on 01732 523797. 

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