Plant Pathologist

Location: Cambridgeshire
Closing date: 05 Mar 2025
Reference number: SV/A1115

Location: NIAB Park Farm, Histon, CB24 9NZ

Closing date: 5 March 2025 with interviews being held on 17 March 2025
Salary: from £27,562 per annum, depending on experience with paid overtime being available.
Contract: Permanent
Working hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Exciting Opportunity: Join Our Plant Pathology Team and help safeguard Britain's cereal crops health!

Who is NIAB?
NIAB is a leading crop science organisation at the forefront of research in plant genetics, pathology, agronomy, farming systems, and data science. With our headquarters in Cambridge and regional offices spread across the UK, we are on a mission to revolutionise crop production across arable, forage, and horticulture sectors.

What you will do:

1. Plan and Set Up Cereal Pathology Trials: Dive into the heart of research by planning and setting up exciting cereal pathology trials for Variety and Recommended Lists purposes.
2. Multiply Plant Pathogens: In our pathology lab, you will multiply wheat, barley, and oat pathogen isolates for inoculating trials.
3. Apply Pathogen Inoculum: Get hands-on with plants as you produce, prepare, and apply pathogen inocula.
4. Assess Trials: Be the detective - score diseases, process results, and interpret data from our inoculated trials as well as from natural disease observation plots.
5. Host Visits from Funders and Breeders to the Field Trials.
6. Contribute to Research Projects: Your expertise will drive our research forward.
7. Screen Field Samples for the Presence of Pathogens: You will occasionally carry out molecular diagnostic and marker work to accurately diagnose plant pathogens.
8. Organise our Pathology Lab: Keep the pathology laboratory and key equipment in top shape.

What you will need to succeed:

1. A BSc in Plant Pathology or equivalent qualifications/experience.
2. Experience managing disease trials, including preparation of inoculum and assessment of disease; knowledge of fungal diseases of cereal crops is desirable.
3. A full UK driving licence and a willingness to drive light passenger vehicles as access to trial sites is inaccessible by public transport.
4. Demonstrate consistent attention to detail and accuracy.
5. Ability to organise and prioritise your work.
6. Evidence of commitment to personal development and willingness to learn new skills, e.g. molecular pathogen diagnostic and/or molecular marker work.
7. Good communication and interpersonal skills.
8. Competency in relevant Microsoft Office applications.
9. Flexibility, proactive attitude, and self-motivation.
10. Collaborative, innovative, and open-minded regarding science.

Location
You will be based in our state-of-the-art facilities at NIAB Park Farm, Histon, Cambridge, CB24 9NZ, which is equipped with molecular biology and plant growth amenities, including extensive glasshouses, walk-in growth rooms, and containment units for genetically modified plant trials.

As a member of the NIAB team, you will be contributing to the Crop Science Centre, an alliance between NIAB and the University of Cambridge, with a shared vision to deliver sustainable food production across the UK. With over 250 hectares of commercial cropping and field trials, NIAB provides an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in advancing the science of crop cultivation.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now and be part of our mission to protect cereal crops and ensure a thriving agricultural future!

TO APPLY
Click the 'Apply' button for further details and to apply directly. Any questions? Email or call Human Resources on . Apply soon as we may shortlist prior to the closing date.

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.