Technician: Research (Plant Horticulture)

Diversity Dashboard; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is seeking a Technician: Research to join the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology cluster in the School of Biosciences. You will manage marram grass plants for an ARIA-funded project, performing stress tests, recording data, and helping with crosses and analyses.

You will contribute to an interdisciplinary team, applying plant biology expertise, meticulous record-keeping, and strong organisational skills to advance climate-resilient coastal dune research.

Qualifications

• Experience equivalent to Level 3 (BTEC/A Level) in Biology, horticulture or related field.
• Knowledge of plant biology and ability to grow large cohorts of plants.
• Experience collecting phenotypic or experimental measurements.
• Ability to follow detailed experimental protocols and work to a plan.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in a multidisciplinary team.
• Proven problem-solving skills to address technical issues.
• Ability to train others in molecular techniques.

Responsibilities

• Germinate, grow and maintain marram grass for experimental work.
• Conduct stress response experiments.
• Phenotype plants for several traits.
• Carry out controlled crosses between marram grass and relatives.
• Maintain accurate and tidy research records.
• Prioritise workload to meet project deadlines.
• Provide regular project progress updates.
• Attend safety and training courses as required.
• Assist in preparing posters, papers, and grant documents.
• Adapt and transfer skills to new experimental approaches.
• Encourage ethical decisions and sustainability in activities.

Skills

Plant biology

Experimental design

Phenotype measurements

Teamwork

Problem solving

Record keeping

Molecular techniques

Education

Level 3 biology/horticulture

Job description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

We are seeking to appoint a skilled and motivated Technician: Research to work in the laboratory of Dr. Luke Dunning, at the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology cluster in the School of Biosciences. You will join a research group of evolutionary biologists who want to understand how organisms adapt to their environment.

You will bring your expertise in plant biology and horticulture to an ambitious interdisciplinary project funded by the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA), investigating how we can accelerate the adaptation of marram grass to build bigger, stronger and more climate-resilient coastal dunes. You will be responsible for the day-to-day care and management of plants, conducting stress response experiments, taking detailed measurements, and carrying out controlled crosses.

Applicants must have equivalent to Level 3 (BTEC/A Level) qualification in Biology, horticulture or another relevant field, with proven vocational skills in line with the job description with knowledge of plant biology and experience growing large cohorts of plants. Experience of collecting accurate phenotypic or experimental measurements, the ability to work as part of a group and independently, and to have excellent organisational, communication and time-management skills are also essential.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Germinate, grow and maintain marram grass for experimental work

• Conduct stress response experiments

• Phenotype plants for several traits

• Conduct controlled crosses between marram grass and close relatives

• Maintain comprehensive, accurate and tidy records of research work.

• Prioritise your own workload to meet the research project deadlines.

• Provide regular updates on project progress

• Attend all required safety and training courses

• Assist in the preparation of supporting documents, such as posters, papers, reports and grant applications as required.

• Be able to quickly adapt and transfer skills to new experimental approaches

• Take responsibility for self-development and on the job learning

• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

• Experience equivalent to Level 3 (BTEC/A Level) qualification in Biology, horticulture or another relevant field, with proven vocational skills in line with the job description
• Essential
• Application/interview
• Knowledge of plant biology and experience growing large cohorts of plants
• Essential
• Application/interview
• Experience of collecting accurate phenotypic or experimental measurements
• Essential
• Application/interview
• Ability to follow detailed experimental protocols and work accurately within a planned experimental design
• Essential
• Application/interview
• Strong organisational and time-management skills
• Essential
• Application/interview
• Ability to maintain accurate, comprehensive and reproducible experimental records, including electronic or laboratory-based record keeping
• Essential
• Application/interview
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team
• Essential
• Application/interview
• Proven problem solving skills with the ability to use appropriate diagnostic methods and techniques to effectively deal with technical problems within the limits of responsibility
• Essential
• Application/interview
• Ability to train other members of the research group in molecular techniques, communicating technical information clearly and succinctly in a variety of methods, for example verbally orin presentation or written format
• Essential
• Application/interview
• Experience of crossing plants
• Desirable
• Application/interview
• Ability to design, set up and conduct plant-based experiments
• Desirable
• Application/interview

Further Information

• Grade 5
• Salary £27,319 - £28,778 per annum
• Work arrangement Full-time (35 hours per week)
• Duration Fixed-term for a period of 22 months from 1 November 2026 to 31 August 2028
• Line manager Senior Lecturer / PI
• Direct reports None
• Right to work in the UK This role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship under the UK Visa & Immigration points-based system. Information on alternative visa options is available on www.gov.uk.
• Our website School of Biosciences
• For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Luke Dunning (Senior Lecturer / PI) at [e-mail]

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the closing date. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection within two weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can Contact [e-mail] if you are shortlisted for interview and require any reasonable adjustments.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

• Generous pension scheme.

• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).

• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Technical Career Route.

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

  • access to menopause support in the workplace

  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment

  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date :06/10/2026

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.