R&D Technician

Smart4Chemical; Willenhall; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agricultural research company in Willenhall is seeking an R&D Technician. This full-time role involves supporting sustainable crop protection efforts and performing various screenings in both greenhouse and laboratory settings. Candidates should possess a degree in a relevant science and a strong passion for horticulture. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in agricultural research.

Qualifications

• Degree in relevant science such as Biology, Microbiology, or Plant Science.
• Strong interest in horticulture and ability to apply biological knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Support team in daily tasks for sustainable crop protection.
• Assist in fungicide, insecticide, and herbicide screenings.
• Cultivate crops and assess damage from novel compounds.

Skills

Interest in plants and horticulture

Ability to apply biological knowledge

Attention to detail

Education

Degree in Biology

Degree in Microbiology

Degree in Plant Science

Job description

Are you a recent graduate with an interest in Agriculture and Environmental Studies? Maybe you have a background in Horticulture and Agrochemicals? If so, this role might be just for you. This is a great opportunity to join a great company as an R&D Technician.

This role is a full-time, permanent position, Monday to Friday 37.5hrs a week. This will be a split between the greenhouse (horticulture) and the laboratory.

R&D Technician Job Description

Support the team with day-to-day tasks while gaining insight into a sustainable future for crop protection. Learn about the full development process.

• Assist in fungicide screening, including learning about key fungal pathogens, maintaining live cultures, and incorporating them into biological assessments.
• Conduct insecticide screening, observing insect behaviours and evaluating biological responses.
• Participate in herbicide screenings, preparing and applying treatments for both pre-emergence and post-emergence phases.
• Cultivate various crops and weed species, assess crop damage caused by novel compounds and market standards, and identify types of phytotoxicity.
• Harvest seeds from mature plants to maintain a reliable stock for herbicide screening platforms.
• Prepare for herbicide and insecticide screenings, including identifying key weed and insect species, successfully germinating and propagating seeds, and growing select plant species for insect rearing.
• Apply current protocols and formulations in sample preparation and final application of novel compounds used in in-house screenings.

Key Skills and Qualifications

• Degree in Biology, Microbiology, or Plant Science.
• Passion for horticulture: A strong interest in plants and horticulture, with solid biological knowledge and a proven ability to apply these skills in practical settings.

If this is of interest to you, apply now with an up-to-date copy of your CV.