Technician in Plant Nematology

Location: Leeds - Main Campus

Contract type: Fixed term (up to 6 months to complete specfic time limited work)

Are you an early career researcher looking for a challenge? Do you have a background in Biology, Plant Sciences or Engineering? Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research intensive Universities?

Potato growers regularly consider potato cyst nematodes as their biggest concern due to their widespread presence, ability to devastate yields, and their ability to lay dormant for >30yrs waiting for a host to parasitise. Their control represents the biggest variable cost to the potato industry and is reliant on aggressive chemicals that have numerous health hazards for humans and wildlife, and likely soon to be banned. This project,  titled “Waste to weapon: agricultural waste-derived pest control”, will develop a system to generate sustainable and environmentally friendly nematicides from waste potato tubers. You will work on a day-to-day basis within the host research group in both the labroatory and glasshouses to develop the system and test its application.

You should be educated to A level, BTEC or equivalent, with particular knowledge and skills in general plant housekeeping. You may also have glasshouse and laboratory experience, or experience in method optimisation possibly from an engineering background.

What we offer in return

• 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme options plus life assurance
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!

To explore the post further please contact:

Dr Chris Bell, UKRI Discovery Fellow
Email: c.a.bell@leeds.ac.uk

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