Postdoctoral Plant Scientist (KTP Associate)

The duties of the post will include:

• Understanding the challenge of Fusarium infection in onion crops and leading on the development of a novel screening test for the disease.
• Developing molecular and physiological disease screening protocols using tools such as PCR, ddPCR, qPCR and LAMP, refining the methodologies for each.
• Working with PG Rix to ensure the solution is commercially viable (as well as scientifically rigorous).
• Contributing to embedding expert knowledge into PG Rix’s staff base.
• Paper writing and publishing research findings in flagship venues in collaboration with PG Rix and academics at the University of Essex.
• Liaising with staff of all levels on project progress and presenting to senior staff.
• Participating in academic and/or industrial conferences and other events to disseminate and present research outcomes to the wider community.

These duties are a guide to the work that the post holder will initially be required to undertake. They may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances.

Key Requirements

Qualifications:

• BSc in Biology, Botany or Plant Sciences.
• PhD in Plant Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, physiology, or related discipline, or approaching completion.

Experience / Knowledge:

• Experience of managing a hydroponic or aeroponic growing system and nutrient dosing systems.
• Experience of growing onions.
• Experience of planning rigorous experiments and undertaking statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of plant physiology and molecular biology, including PCR and gene detection protocols.
• Experience conducting empirical trials in a plant science discipline.
• Publication track record (highly desirable) or a keen interest in contributing to academic publications (essential).
• Interest/previous experience in agricultural settings will be highly advantageous.

Skills / Abilities:

• Ability and willingness to engage in Knowledge Exchange activities.
• Ability to interface with people with commercial interests and from varied technical backgrounds.
• Ability to design and implement biosecurity protocols.
• Ability to lead a complex project with competing deadlines and priorities.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
• Ability to research and understand the relevant academic literature.
• Ability to work as an effective member of teams and independently, as required.
• The ability to apply scientific knowledge to real-world situations.
• Problem solver – practical skills in managing experiments.

Benefits

As a KTP Associate, the post will offer the following benefits:

• A personal development budget of £4,333 (exclusive of salary).
• Management training and mentoring by an Innovate UK KTP Adviser.
• An interesting and challenging role, with exposure to a variety of stakeholders.
• Full access to university resources to complete the project.
• World-leading Academic and Company project supervision, with project support by a dedicated, sector leading KTP Office.

The University of Essex, in partnership with PG Rix, offers an exciting opportunity to a graduate with the relevant skills and knowledge to embed crop science expertise within the company to enable them to develop a novel screening test for Fusarium in onion seeds and seedlings, with future applications for the expertise to other crop and disease types.