Glasshouse Technician

Background

FA Bio is an agritech start-up company developing a revolutionary microbial biofungicides and biostimulants pipeline. Our technology has the potential to transform the way we grow food, making it more sustainable and efficient. We are a close-knit team of passionate individuals who are committed to making a positive impact on the world.

FA Bio has recently secured £5.3M and is now gearing up for growth. With commercial agreements in place, microbial candidates in field trials and plans to expand their capabilities, we are now growing our team to help deliver our impact goals. Hence, we are now expanding our team and are looking for a Glasshouse Technician to join our growing business.

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace that harnesses personal development and focuses on excellence. We offer a range of family-friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, etc., to support staff from different backgrounds and personal needs.

Job Title: Glasshouse Technician

The candidate will primarily carry out glasshouse experiment setup, follow-up, and end-of-experiment tasks, including sample processing, measurement-taking, and recording. Additional tasks will include laboratory maintenance and preparation of media, materials and stocks. The candidate will also be required to support other workflows when needed, which would involve handling microbial cultures (especially fungal strains). Experience working with plant material is essential, and working with microorganisms in an aseptic environment is desirable.

Salary

Competitive (dependent on experience)

Full-time position

Benefits

Generous EMI Options Scheme upon 1 year of service

Employer-contributed pension scheme.

Cycle to Work Scheme.

Season Ticket Loan.

Free onsite parking.

Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme.

Enhanced maternity package and childcare support upon 1 year of service

Subsidised onsite gym

Subsidised canteen

Location

Rothamsted Research Centre, AL5 2JQ, Harpenden

This is an on-site role

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Setting up of glasshouse experiments and follow-up progress
• Measurement and recording of different plant variables, like plant length, chlorophyll content etc.
• Root-washing
• Carry out the fresh weight and dry weight measurements of shoots and roots
• Conduct disease assessments
• Clearing and cleaning material used, including washing-up and biowaste autoclaving.
• Glasshouse and laboratory organisation and maintenance - involving clearing and cleaning of work areas and participation in lab cleaning duties, as and when required.
• Stocks and reagents preparation and management.
• Support with tasks such as preparation of microbiological media, isolation of strains, microbial culture maintenance, identification using molecular biology techniques, and data collection.
• Support other projects within the company whenever necessary.
• Understand and apply SOPs, COSHH/Risk Assessments, Quality Control policies, Health and Safety, GLP, ensuring procedures are always followed.
• Work with ELN and LIMS data systems to ensure data is collected, entered, secured, and maintained in accordance with Company’s guidelines.
• Any other ad-hoc tasks to support the business

Experience required:

Essential:

Either:

• BSc degree or equivalent with a core in agronomy, plant pathology etc. and at least 1 year of practical experience in an agronomy or plant-pathology lab.

OR

• At least 4 years of relevant practical industry experience working in an agronomy laboratory and/or plant-pathology lab, carrying out relevant tasks such as glasshouse trials or in-planta studies.

Plus:

• Experience carrying out glasshouse experiments and/or in-planta studies with arable crops, and plant-sample processing.
• Must have the right to work in the UK full-time. Please note that a Certificate of Sponsorship is not available for this position until any graduate visa expires after 2 yrs employment (subject to Government rules at that time)

Desirable:

• Arable crops plant physiology, plant pathology and plant-microbe interaction knowledge and/or experience.
• Experience with fungi cultures manipulation, and basic knowledge about fungi growth and morphology.
• Experience handling Biosafety Level Class 2 microbes (fungi/bacteria) working in aseptic conditions, using good microbiological practices to limit contamination.
• Experience with Molecular Biology techniques such as genomic DNA extraction, PCR, electrophoresis, etc.

Skills

• Good time management & multi-tasking skills.
• The candidate will need to be self-motivated and capable of working independently, planning and taking responsibility for their work using initiative and seeking advice where necessary.
• Teamworking and effective communication – the candidate will need to demonstrate successful team working skills, adapt to team working practices and develop effective communication skills with all the team members.
• Methodical – pays attention to detail, does things carefully and in an ordered way.
• Effective communicator and empathic in an international environment
• Excellent problem-solving skills, and ability to react quickly and adapt to the ever-changing business environment
• Effect decision-making skills

If you are interested in becoming part of FA-Bio’s team, please send us your CV and personal statement to jobs@fa-bio.net quoting job reference FA_JOB_040 before 17th October 2024. Do not apply via LinkedIn, email us directly.

We look forward to hearing from you!