Enterprise Campus Project Director

The stakeholders in the Rothamsted Centre for Research and Enterprise, Harpenden, share an ambitious vision for the future of the campus, building on its long history of science and innovation in advanced agro-environmental technologies. Discussions to secure initial funding are underway. An individual is being sought to meet the need for dedicated, on-site, senior management resource and to progress the Centre in making a key contribution to the UK innovation landscape.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of actively participating in similar, multi-faceted projects, probably in a Science Park or similar, at a senior level. They will have had experience in co-ordinating, promoting and marketing such facilities, as well as involvement in innovation, preferably at the interface of academic and SMEs in areas relevant to Rothamsted Research with an understanding of impact. Financial acumen will be essential as will the ability to successfully seek capital funding from a variety of sources.

The appointment will be for 18 months in the first instance with the possibility of renewal. Salary will be in the region of £75,000 per annum with more available for an exceptional candidate.

Vacancy reference: 1248
Closing date: 28 May 2013

To apply, click on the button below for an application form and return to the HR Group, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, tel 01582 763133 (e-mail rres.hr@rothamsted.ac.uk)

• Further Particulars
• Application Form

Accounts Assistant

Rothamsted Research, the UK’s oldest and largest agricultural research centre, is seeking an accounts assistant, whose duties will include:

• Assist in the production, reconciliation and review of balance sheet accounts

• Input accounting data to the system as required

• Analyse basic financial information in response to queries from scientists, suppliers and customers

• Calculate and input basic accruals and prepayments on a periodic basis

• Ensure claims for income from the BBSRC are submitted in a timely manner

• Assist with Accounts Payable and Receivable activities at times of high throughput

• Undertake bank reconciliations

• Assist other sections of the Finance team as appropriate

• Filing and assistance with other ledger section activities

You should have 3 GCSE’s or equivalent relevant experience, and have experience of working in an office environment, have strong IT skills (especially excel) and you must be able to work on your own initiative to resolve problems.

This full time post will be at Band B which has a starting salary normally within the range of £17,574 to £19,734 per annum, depending on experience; this post is available for a fixed term of 12 months in the first instance.

Vacancy reference: 1254
Closing date: 28 May 2013

To apply, click on the button below for an application form and return to the HR Group, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, tel 01582 763133 (e-mail rres.hr@rothamsted.ac.uk)

• Further Particulars
• Application Form

Mathematical Modeller in Crop Physiology

Rothamsted Research, the UK’s leading agricultural research institute, is seeking a suitably qualified mathematical modeller to integrate genetic and “omic” data into models for improving traits of perennial crops. The candidate will work within the Institute’s Strategic Programme “Cropping Carbon”, which addresses two timely challenges: renewable and sustainable alternatives for petroleum-based products and enhanced carbon sequestration in soils under perennial crops.

The model building is centred on quantifying carbon flows, growth control and feedstock composition of perennials and aims to disentangle the effects of environmental (E) and genetic (G) factors. The successful modeller will benefit from close interactions with experimentalists (plant and soil scientists) and bioinformaticians in order to identify key traits and physiological mechanisms and to prioritise further investigation and options for selection and genetic improvement.

The post-holder will have the opportunity to develop and extend generic methods of process-based modelling and systems analysis to synthesize the experimental data and to explore the G x E interactions. Applicants are expected to have a PhD in a relevant subject and experience developing mathematical or computational models of complex biological systems. Previous experience in crop physiology or eco-physiology will be advantageous but is not essential. The ideal candidate will be familiar with software tools to implement and work with process-based models.

Informal enquiries about this post can be directed to Dr Goetz Richter (goetz.richter@rothamsted.ac.uk).. This appointment is full time within Band D with a starting salary normally in the region of £28,110 and £31,677 per annum with more available for an exceptional candidate. The post is available for four years.

Vacancy reference: 1224
Closing date: 10 June 2013

To apply, click on the button below for an application form and return to the HR Group, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, tel 01582 763133 (e-mail rres.hr@rothamsted.ac.uk)

• Further Particulars
• Application Form

Research Assistant - Analyst

Rothamsted Research, the UK’s oldest and largest agricultural research centre, is seeking a Research Assistant required to work as part of the Analytical Unit within the Department of Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems.

The post is responsible for the management of the Soil Preparation Laboratory, performing the digestion and extraction of soil and plant material for analysis. Main duties will include weighing of sample materials, working from documented methods to perform detailed extraction procedures and analytical grade washing of laboratory equipment.

Applicants are expected to provide cover in other areas of the facility and may be required to operate and maintain analytical instrumentation. Applicants should have relevant laboratory experience and ideally an HNC/BSc in Analytical Chemistry. Team working, organisation skills and the ability to work under pressure are essential.

This full time permanent post will be at Band C which has a starting salary normally within the range of £22,230 to £25,038 per annum, depending on experience.

Vacancy reference: 1253
Closing date: 28 May 2013

To apply, click on the button below for an application form and return to the HR Group, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, tel 01582 763133 (e-mail rres.hr@rothamsted.ac.uk)

• Further Particulars
• Application Form

Post-Doctoral Research Scientist Department of Plant Biology and Crop Science

Rothamsted Research is the longest running agricultural research station in the world, providing cutting-edge science and innovation for nearly 170 years. Our mission is to deliver the knowledge and new practices to increase crop productivity and quality and to develop environmentally sustainable solutions for food and energy production.

Rothamsted Research is seeking a Post-Doctoral Research Scientist to work on a 10-month exploratory project funded by a large crop protection company.

Recent studies demonstrated a possibility of turning down expression of genes in plant associated organisms using an in planta approach whereby RNA silencing inducers are derived from exogenous sources, such as transgenes or transiently expressed RNAi constructs (reviewed in Lee et al., 2012, Plant Physiology, 160:582-590). The focus of the research project will be the testing of potential applicability of this gene silencing approach for exploring function of genes in several fungal pathogens of the UK’s major crops, directly in planta during colonisation.

The ideal candidate will have a PhD and good skills and experience in plant molecular biology and molecular plant pathology. It is desirable that the post holder also has a good general knowledge and at least some experience in gene silencing. Some experience in confocal laser microscopy will be beneficial but is not a requirement.

This fixed term appointment of 10 months will be at Band D which has a starting salary normally within the range of £28,110 to £31,677 per annum, depending on the profile and experience.

Informal enquiries about the position are encouraged via Kostya Kanyuka (kostya.kanyuka@rothamsted.ac.uk) or Kim Hammond-Kosack (kim.hammond-kosack@rothamsted.ac.uk).

Vacancy reference: 1252
Closing date: 31 May 2013

To apply, click on the button below for an application form and return to the HR Group, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, tel 01582 763133 (e-mail rres.hr@rothamsted.ac.uk)

• Further Particulars
• Application Form

Mechanical Prototype Technician

Rothamsted Research, the UK’s oldest and largest agricultural research centre, is seeking a Mechanical Prototype Technician to work as part of a small team in the design, manufacture, modification and repair of a wide range of specialist scientific equipment.

Duties will involve working directly with scientists to clarify individual requirements and allow the choice of materials and production techniques appropriate to the task. The modification of existing equipment to meet specific scientific needs which could involve precision machining and fitting, plastics fabrication, welding brazing and soldering techniques will also be required.

Applicants require a City and Guilds Mechanical qualification whilst pursuing a mechanical based apprenticeship, ideally in toolmaking where precision work is required. Previous experience of extensive post apprenticeship in manufacturing of precision mechanical components and the ability to weld, braze and solder is essential. The applicant should be able to work alone with minimum supervision and as part of a team, when necessary.

This permanent position is full time with a starting salary from £22,230 to £25,038 per annum.

Vacancy reference: 1251
Closing date: 31 May 2013

To apply, click on the button below for an application form and return to the HR Group, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, tel 01582 763133 (e-mail rres.hr@rothamsted.ac.uk)

• Further Particulars
• Application Form

Agricultural Systems Specialist

Rothamsted Research, the UK’s oldest and largest agricultural research centre, is seeking an Agricultural Systems Specialist to act as researcher and project manager for a new project to further develop an integrated approach to bio-energy deployment. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) have funded a Supergen Bio-energy Hub to act as a co-ordinating body for research and technology interaction within the EPSRC sphere and to conduct its own research in areas were consultation had identified gaps. This new project is part of a programme developing and improving energy crops within the Cropping Carbon Institute Strategic Programme at Rothamsted Research.

Rothamsted Research, through the successful candidate, will contribute to several research projects within the Hub. This will require interaction with many academic and industrial partners. A wide range of energy conversion technologies will be studied and this will lead to a similarly wide range of potential feedstocks being considered. Rothamsted Research has its own farms from which data and many potential feedstocks may be sourced. There are on site processing and analytical services to characterise those feedstocks. Where certain key aspects are not available project partners have been identified who can contribute facilities and knowledge.

Duties will involve discussions and semi-formal workshops to identify knowledge gaps and potential data sources. There will be a component of desk studies to mine the literature for available data. Where no suitable data exists the successful candidate will be expected to design appropriate sampling, processing and analytical protocols to generate new data. Publication in scientific literature will be key, but equally influencing policy makers and the industry directly feature strongly in the Hub objectives. Quality Assurance is a vital component of all projects at RRes and the post holder will be responsible for protocol development with project partners.

The post holder will work alongside colleagues in the Energy Crops Group and will contribute to other projects in the Cropping Carbon Institute Strategic Programme. Within the wider Institute they will need to interact with staff from the Farm, Statistics and the Analytical Unit.

The successful candidate will have a degree in an agricultural subject and ideally a relevant post graduate qualification including some research training. Most importantly the successful candidate will need to demonstrate a broad knowledge of agriculture in the UK and an ability to apply that knowledge across sectors. An understanding of the principles of Life Cycle Analysis will be required. Some knowledge of Forestry systems would be an advantage. The research will require travel within the UK and the occasional overnight stay. A full UK driving licence will be helpful. The post is funded for 21 months at Band D with the option for renewal. The appointment is full time with a starting salary normally in the region of £28,110 to £31,677 per annum.

Vacancy reference: 1250
Closing date: 24 May 2013

To apply, click on the button below for an application form and return to the HR Group, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, tel 01582 763133 (e-mail rres.hr@rothamsted.ac.uk)

• Further Particulars
• Application Form

A 13 week Molecular Plant Pathology research appointment for a biological sciences graduate at Rothamsted Research - Available from 3 June 2013 onwards

The Wheat Pathogenomics team has a short term research vacancy.

The appointee will most likely be either a finished graduate or post graduate biological sciences student that has been unable to secure employment and is looking to enhance their CV. The appointee must already have good aseptic technique skills, PCR and DNA skills, some basic binocular and light microscopy skills, a keen eye for detail and an ability to record phenotype information into Excel spread sheets. These skills could have been acquired during an undergraduate or masters research project.

The job will involve the following research activities:

• Helping to prepare gene deletion constructs by PCR for Fusarium graminearum candidate virulence gene testing. Characterise Fusarium virulence mutant transformants via wheat inoculation and various in vitro experiments using assays routinely done in our laboratory.

• To retest the function of ten Fg small secreted protein (candidate fungal effectors) using a virus vector system (BSMV-VOX) on various wheat genotypes.

• Helping with the scoring of floral phenotypes arising from the silencing of specific wheat genes to explore the wheat -Fg interaction in greater detail.

• Prepare DNA for up to 48 lines chosen from two wheat projects, involved in fine mapping major QTLs for resistance to fungal pathogens. These DNA samples will be used in follow on genotyping analyses.

The appointee will also assist with a couple of the communal laboratory tasks. To complete these research activities, the appointee will work closely and be trained by either Dr Martin Urban, Dr Wing-Sham Lee and / or Dr Kostya Kanyuka.

To apply send your CV and a cover letter indicating why you would like this position to the head of the Wheat Pathogenomics Team Professor Kim Hammond-Kosack (kim.hammond-kosack@rothamsted.ac.uk).

There is no formal closing date. We will continue to advertise until a suitable applicant has been identified. The ideal start date is Monday 3rd June 2013.

Local accommodation is possible at the Rothamsted Research Manor house . This is a 5 minute walk from the laboratory facilities.