Plant Pathology Technician

The James Hutton Institute; Dundee; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institute in agriculture is seeking a motivated individual for a technical support role in plant pathology. The post-holder will work on various projects related to plant diseases, primarily focusing on sequencing and genotyping. Candidates must have a degree in Biological Sciences and experience in lab environments. This position offers flexible working options and comprehensive benefits, including generous annual leave and a pension plan.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave

Flexible working options

Pension plan

Qualifications

• Research experience in a lab environment.
• Proven ability with microbiological techniques.
• Experience of molecular biology techniques.
• Self-motivation and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Preparation of environmental samples for sequencing.
• Conduct pathogen genotyping.
• Process fungal, bacterial, and crop samples.
• Perform field and glasshouse experiments.

Skills

Microbiological techniques

Molecular biology techniques

Data handling

Teamwork

Education

Biological Sciences degree

Job description

The Vacancy

Main Purpose of Job

We are seeking a motivated individual to provide technical support to the Plant Pathology group within the department of Cell & Molecular Sciences located at the Invergowrie Campus. The post-holder will work across a range of projects aimed at understanding the detection, epidemiology and control of plant diseases focusing mainly on filamentous fungi and barley pathology. Responsibilities will include the preparation of environmental samples for metabarcoding and Illumina sequencing, undertaking pathogen genotyping and processing fungal, bacterial, and crop samples for Oxford Nanopore sequencing. As part of our wider plant pathology group, the role will involve laboratory, glasshouse and field work across a variety of pathosystems, providing valuable input and support. This post requires full-time in-person attendance on site and occasional off-site working at other locations for sampling purposes is a possibility.

This post is fixed term until February 2027.

Main Duties of Postholder
• Preparation of environmental samples for metabarcoding and Illumina sequencing
• Pathogen genotyping
• Processing of fungal, bacterial and crop samples
• Plant propagation
• Data collection, collation and analysis
• Laboratory, field and glasshouse experiments

Person Specification

Education/Experience/Skills

Essential
• Biological Sciences degree
• Research experience in a lab environment
• Proven ability with microbiological techniques, such as culturing microorganisms under aseptic conditions.
• Experience of molecular biology techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing.
• Self-motivation and time management
• Good data handling and record keeping
• Evidence of working effectively within a team

Desirable
• Experience in field and glasshouse work and plant handling
• Plant pathology skills
• Report writing
• Basic data analysis/statistics

Other Skills
• The ability to work unsupervised
• The ability to follow protocols and standard operating procedures

Additional notes/Requirements

Current driving license

What We Offer

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential service available to support employees and their families with work or personal problems. Providing access to professional counsellors, psychologists, and work-life consultants available to help and support individuals in tackling all types of problems.

• Annual Leave - Generous entitlement up to 40.5 days a year, with carry over possible and guaranteed time-off for Christmas.

• Pension - Employer Contribution of 15% in a Personal Pension Plan and employee contribution flexibility.

• Self-managed hours and Flexible Working - option to manage and spread your working time in line with organisational needs to create a healthy work life balance

Our Commitment to Equality and Diversity

We will not consider the use of 3rd party recruitment agencies for the sourcing of candidates for this position.

The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The James Hutton Institute is a: Stonewall Diversity Champion; Athena SWAN Silver Status Holder; Disability Confident Committed Employer and a Living Wage Employer.

The James Hutton Institute is Happy to Talk Flexible Working.

The Company

The James Hutton Institute combines strengths in crops, soils and land use and environmental research, and makes a major contribution to the understanding of key global issues, such as food, energy and environmental security, and developing and promoting effective technological and management solutions to these.

James Hutton (1726 - 1797) was a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, an eighteenth century golden age of intellectual and scientific achievements centred on Edinburgh. He is internationally regarded as the founder of modern geology and one of the first scientists to describe the Earth as a living system. His thinking on natural selection influenced Charles Darwin in developing his theory of evolution.

Our Values

We respect and value our people and the people we engage with

We want to make a difference

We strive to be excellent in everything we do

We lead by example

We foster creativity and innovation