We’re looking for a Crop Research Plant Technician
Who we are
At wild bio we are radically enhancing crops to feed the world sustainably and promote a wilder planet. Wild plants have had half a billion years to evolve natural solutions for thriving in almost every environment on Earth. Our proprietary genetics platform harnesses these wild innovations to enhance the world’s most important crops. Wild-enhanced crops would simultaneously boost farm yields and promote gigaton-scale carbon mitigation strategies. If you’re looking for a start-up that has enormous potential for impact on growers, consumers, and the planet, please read on.
We are a well-funded, fast-paced Oxford University spin-out working from state-of-the-art molecular biology labs and office at Milton Park, Oxfordshire. We are now in our next phase of growth and are looking for high-performing individuals to join us and significantly contribute to delivering the change we believe in. We’re looking for someone who is driven, curious, and excited to work on cutting-edge R&D projects. We offer a competitive compensation package and are building an environment where you would be enabled to creatively problem solve, default to action to create positive change, and be part of a team where teamwork and employee growth and wellbeing is front and centre.
What you will be doing
- Work with a team of scientists and technicians to develop and implement plant care across a range of common crop types including Wheat, Soybean and Maize
- Carry out routine and daily plant care duties such as health checks, watering, nutrient management, pest management and plant propagation
- Maintain and implement growing systems
- Support plant phenotyping, such as plant height, leaf counts, green area and other physical characteristics
- Monitor soil carbon
- Develop the existing system to maximise crop potential in controlled environment growing conditions
- Implement and carry out crop trials in controlled environment growing conditions
- Write new, and contribute to existing, Standard Operating Practices
- Propagate crops regularly for the needs of the wider team for a range of purposes
- Keep the growing areas clean and tidy for biosecurity and viewing purposes
Essential qualities and skills
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in crop science, plus two or more years' experience of working with plants in controlled or greenhouse environments. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
- Demonstrable experience of working with plants in controlled environment settings and an understanding of experimental design in the propagation of crops
- Experience of growing at least one of the target crops, Wheat, Soybean or Maize
- Demonstrable experience working as part of a larger team, acting as an enabler for different projects and a willingness to engage and help where needed
- Familiarity with plant propagation techniques such as irrigation systems, nutrient application, soil mixing techniques and plant support structures
- Familiarity with the use of Microsoft Excel
- Flexible with working hours outside of office hours where needed, including travel to research institutes within the UK
- Ability to respond quickly to emergencies with access to Milton Park being no more than 1 hour from home
- Must have the right to work in the UK
Desirable qualities and skills
- Experience and training in the safe use and handling of pesticides and application (PA1 and PA6)
- Experience in growing more than one target crop
- Familiarity with handling data from experiments, and the ability to process and present data clearly
- Full UK driving license
To thrive with us, you will:
- Be a team player in a multi-disciplinary environment, building relationships, and gaining trust from others through honesty, compassion, and authenticity.
- Have a curious and courageous mindset, enjoy stepping up to try new things in a changing environment, and taking initiative where there is often ambiguity.
- Approach solving difficult and complex problems head on, working from first principles and collaborating as a team to re-think problems and learn from both successes and failures.
- Want to seek out new opportunities to develop, share learnings with others, and strive to support others in their own development and growth.
- Challenge established approaches with the aim of improving the system.
- Take initiative where needed with tasks that have not been assigned.
Salary range: £27,000-£31,000 base pay plus company benefits
Location: Headquartered in Milton Park, Oxfordshire, with occasional flexible working in discussion with the business