Senior Post Doctoral Research Assistant - Forest Nursery Research (22.2 hours per week, fixed term)

Harper Adams University; Newport; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in agricultural studies is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher for a collaborative project involving sustainable growing media. The successful candidate will manage field trials and analyze data, contributing to important research on climate resilience. A PhD and relevant experience are required, along with communication and data analysis skills. Applications are due by midnight on Sunday, 26th October.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant discipline is required.
• Relevant experience as a Post Doctoral Researcher or equivalent.
• Specialist knowledge of soil science and plant biology is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage practical field trials and ensure quality data collection.
• Prepare and deliver field trials in a professional manner.
• Work with a diverse team to conduct rigorous scientific trials.
• Analyze data and write findings professionally.

Skills

Soil science knowledge

Plant biology knowledge

Data analysis skills

Communication skills

Education

PhD in relevant discipline

Job description

Overview

This is a collaborative project involving Harper Adams University, a forest nursery, a growing media company, an agronomy company and a local council. We will be running both polytunnel and field-bed based trials growing native oaks in a range of sustainable growing media, replicating commercial nursery conditions to produce both cell-grown and bare-root products. The research aims to characterise the latest high sustainability alternative growing media and amendments, testing their ability to grow quality products whilst reducing input demand. Novel growing media will be compared to existing, readily available peat and peat-free media and amendments.

All growing media will be tested in both polytunnel and outdoor field trials. A range of outcomes will be measured including the germination rate, survival and growth of young trees as well as the chemical and physical properties of the media and soil over time. This will include how they react to climatic variables such as ambient temperature, irrigation, fertiliser and pesticide applications. This project will identify the optimum media to support increased tree production and resilience to the impacts of climate change, particularly increased prevalence of drought.

Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the practical field trials and achieving good quality data collection.
• Take an organised, proactive and determined approach to getting field trials prepared and professionally delivered.
• Work with a team of professionals from different backgrounds to deliver scientifically rigorous trials; communicate effectively and work with others to identify and overcome practical challenges in the field, raising issues in a timely manner.
• Balance management of field trials with data analysis and writing up findings from the study; professional academic writing and data knowledge and skills will be required.
• Desirable attribute: specialist knowledge of soil science and plant biology, particularly in a plant nursery context, to support the work.

Experience/Qualifications

• A PhD in a relevant discipline.
• Relevant experience as a Post Doctoral Researcher or equivalent experience relevant to this field.

How to apply

If you have any queries or questions or for an informal discussion, please contact Nick Covarr at [e-mail]

For further information about the University or to see full job description, please visit our website at www.harper-adams.ac.uk

Application Procedure

All applications should be completed and submitted using the Harper Adams e-Recruitment programme at http://jobs.harper-adams.ac.uk To be completed no later than midnight on Sunday 26th October

If you require any adjustments to complete your application for this role then please contact [e-mail]

If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK, please follow this link https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK and details about eligibility for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa.