Fixed term contract - There is funding to recruit a full-time Technician on FA4, currently restricted to end on 31.03.2027. There may be further funding available subject to confirmation from the funder.
About the role
We are recruiting a horticultural technician to join the UK Vegetable Genebank project team. This is a great opportunity to work in agrobiodiversity conservation and to contribute to a project which improves global food security. This exciting and varied role adds to the existing UKVGB team of one research fellow and three technical staff.
You will help us to deliver effective and efficient management and conservation of seed in the UKVGB, an internationally significant collection of genetic diversity in vegetable crops. Our major crop collections include brassicas, lettuce and carrot, and you will manage seed production in our dedicated glasshouse facilities. The work centres on plant husbandry and managing the seed production cycle (sowing, propagation, plant nutrition, pest and disease management and harvest).
There will also be opportunities to plan field trials and carry out data collection activities, as well as gain experience in other areas of activity within the UKVGB.
About you
You will be working as part of a small team of technical staff so good interpersonal skills and a flexible approach to this varied role are important. You will be comfortable working in glasshouse, field and potentially laboratory environments.
You will have significant horticultural experience - we are particularly interested in someone who has handled and managed large numbers of plants or samples in previous roles or who has managed plant production cycles.
The ideal candidate will understand the need for, and be able give examples of, key skills such as pest and disease management, keeping accurate records and the ability to plan your workload around seasonal factors. You will need to communicate effectively with the other UKVGB team members, and with other groups within the department as well. You will have a thorough understanding of plant biology/horticulture. There will be scope for training and development in different techniques and approaches as part of the role.
For further information regarding the skills required for this role please see the personal specification section of the job description.
