Senior Research Technician (109307-0524)

Location: Wellesbourne Campus

Duration: Ending 30 June 2027

About the Role

For informal enquiries, please contact John Clarkson at John.clarkson@warwick.ac.uk.

This post is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated research technician to utilise plant science and molecular biology skills to support a range of different projects carried out within SLS at the Innovation Campus, Stratford-upon-Avon (Wellesbourne). Research at the campus focuses primarily on vegetable crops and spans fundamental to applied approaches for sustainable crop production and improvement. We work closely with a wide range of industry stakeholders including growers, agronomists, crop associations, plant breeders and crop protection companies. Much of the funding in crop science is now via industry-led projects through Innovate / Defra programmes which range from small research starter projects to much larger research grants involving multiple partners. We are therefore looking for someone who can provide continuity of expertise and allow us to react to multiple small grant opportunities. You will therefore be flexible and adaptable and be able to work across multiple research projects.

In particular we are looking for a technician who can provide laboratory support and expertise in plant pathology with skills in molecular biology but who is also willing to work on entomology and agri-tech projects where required. You will therefore have proven experience in DNA / RNA extraction techniques and PCR / RT-PCR and ideally also in genetic transformation / cloning protocols. You must also have general microbiology experience including isolation, culturing and maintenance of fungi and bacteria. Some experience of handling and growing plants, inoculating them with plant pathogens or beneficial microorganisms and assessing disease / growth phenotype data is also a key requirement. You will adapt your skills to whatever the project requires but types of research activities might include isolation, identification and characterisation of plant pathogens, development of diagnostics, assessing crop cultivars for pest and disease resistance, evaluating biological control agents or other crop protection products and helping to employ sensor, imaging or robotic approaches to crop production. Major crops that we work on include lettuce, onion, brassica, carrot, celery, tomato and some herb crops such as coriander and wild rocket.

The post will also involve providing training and support for PhD, MSc and undergraduate students with the latter carrying out final year research projects each year so a willingness to engage with our students and help them achieve success is essential. 

The post represents a unique opportunity to work on a broad range of projects and have a positive impact on the horticultural industry, academics and students. You will join established research teams at the Innovation Campus where there is a focused, friendly, supportive and collaborative research community with excellent facilities. These include modern, well-equipped laboratories and controlled environment growth rooms as well as glasshouse and field experiment facilities supported by a dedicated horticultural services team.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 30 June 2024 at 11.45 pm

Full details of the duties and selection criteria for this role can be found in the vacancy advert on the University of Warwick's jobs pages. You will be routed to this when you click on the Apply button.

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