Crop Research Technician

We’re looking for a Crop Research 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 offices at Milton Park, Oxfordshire. We are in another exciting 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 work in a highly collaborative environment where we all show up for each other, creatively problem solve, and take action to help move us forward, at pace.

What you will be doing:

• Working with a team of technicians, this practical and hands-on role will support the team in developing and implementing plant care across a range of common crop types, specifically Wheat, Soybean and Maize.
• Taking a lead in keeping the growing areas clean and tidy, including adherence to biosafety protocols for which training will be given.
• Troubleshooting and carrying out routine maintenance of equipment, within experience level, including the use of power and hand tools. Briefing and overseeing any external consultants required for maintenance or infrastructure changes, ensuring the works are carried out timely.
• Undertaking plant care observations to include checking and adjusting operational parameters (lighting, temperature, water, pH, nutrient levels)
• Working alongside other members of the team to maintain and implement improvements in our growth facilities and systems.
• Assisting with implementing and executing crop trials in controlled environment growing conditions. This will involve assisting scientists and the plant care team to run crop trials, following procedures closely in areas such as experimental design layout, irrigation requirements, fertiliser treatments and environment variability mitigation. Specific training would be given.
• Propagating crops regularly for the needs of the wider team for a range of purposes, including preparing soil and filling up large numbers of pots.
• Managing the company’s goods in process – receiving and distributing deliveries to the appropriate storage spaces, sometimes including bulky and heavy items

Essential qualities/skills you bring to the table:

• An interest in gardening and a desire to learn more about growing crops in controlled environment settings. Some experience of working with some form of controlled environments would be a bonus.
• The ability to lift and move heavy equipment and supplies – an Occupational Health Assessment will be required for the successful candidate to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
• A desire to create order and organisation in a busy environment.
• A practical mindset to fix things and problem solve difficulties.
• Excellent attention to detail
• Demonstratable experience of using Excel for basic record keeping.
• Ability to respond quickly to out-of-hours emergencies, with access to Milton Park (OX14) in less than one hour.
• Practical experience using common tools and basic DIY fabrication skills (desirable).
• Must have the right to work in the UK.

To thrive with us, you will:

• Be a team player in a multi-disciplinary environment – gaining trust through others through honesty, compassion and communicating expectations, deliverables and updates effectively.
• Have a curious and courageous mindset – being willing to try new things, often where we will learn as we go.
• Have a nature of defaulting to action and getting things done, in communication with other teammates.
• Willing to work in a flexible environment where there is constant change and often ambiguity.
• Want to seek out new opportunities to develop, share learnings with others, and strive to support others in their own development and growth.

Salary range: £20,727 to £23,836base pay plus company benefits

Location: This is an onsite role,headquartered in Milton Park, Oxfordshire

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