Tissue Culture Senior Technician

ABOUT THE JOB

We are recruiting a Tissue Culture Senior Technician to provide technical support in our crop transformation research projects.

Working within our GM laboratories and glasshouses, the role is focused on plant transformation, micropropagation and ongoing husbandry. Duties include looking after plants in Tissue Culture, preparing media and constructs for transformations, genotyping transformed plants, seed processing/germination and ongoing care of transformed plants.

Training can be provided in standard laboratory procedures and specialised protocols.

You may need to travel between our two Cambridge sites (north Cambridge and Histon) so a full driving licence is an advantage (transport can be provided). You may be required to work occasional weekends and evenings.

Salary: From £26,402 per annum depending on relevant skills and experience

Contract: 2-year fixed term contract in the first instance

Working hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday

ABOUT YOU

Essential requirements:

• BSc in plant science/molecular biology or similar subject, or equivalent experience
• Experience of working in a plant molecular biology laboratory
• Experience in Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation
• Experience in making up complex growth media and Tissue Culture stocks
• Experience in micropropagation of plants in vitro, maintaining Tissue Culture plants and plant acclimatisation
• Experience in plant husbandry and seed screening (seed processing, germination, potting, growth and harvest)
• Experience in performing DNA/RNA extractions and PCR/qPCR
• Good oral and written communication skills
• IT skills – basic competency in MS Word, Excel, SharePoint and PowerPoint
• A driving licence or access to independent means of travelling, enabling you to travel between sites. Transport can be provided

Desirable requirements:

• MSc in plant science, molecular biology or similar discipline
• Experience in transformation of several species e.g. strawberry, tomato, potato
• Experience in development of transformation protocols for new species
• Experience of protoplast transfection and regeneration

ABOUT US

NIAB is the UK’s leading crop science organisation, with research capabilities in plant genetics, agronomy, farming systems and data science, the largest national field trials capability, and strong research links with industry, Government and academia. With headquarters in Cambridge, and regional offices across the country, employing more than 400 people across the UK, NIAB advances the role of plant genetic resources through research services and training. NIAB’s position at the interface of academic research and commercial breeding offers opportunities for strong collaborations across the plant sciences sector.

NIAB's established state-of-the-art facilities at its two Cambridge sites host molecular biology and plant growth facilities, including extensive glasshouses and containment units for genetically modified plant trials and over 250 hectares of commercial cropping and field trials. The campus at our HQ site includes the Crop Science Centre, a collaboration between NIAB and the University of Cambridge, with a mission to deliver food in a sustainable way.

NIAB actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. As a Disability Confident Employer, we have a positive approach to employing people living with a disability.

LOCATION

The role is based at both our NIAB Headquarters, Cambridge CB3 0LE and NIAB Park Farm, Histon, CB24 9NZ, working with our glasshouses, controlled environment facilities and laboratories.

Cambridge Headquarters: https://www.niab.com/about/locations/cambridge

Cambridge Park Farm: https://www.niab.com/about/locations/park-farm

BENEFITS

Benefits include 25 days’ holiday plus public holidays and 3 days off during the Christmas period, generous sick pay, attractive pension scheme, income protection, life assurance, employee discount scheme and free on-site parking.

TO APPLY

Informal enquiries are welcome, please contact Emma Wallington, Head of Crop Transformation, by email: emma.wallington@niab.com

Click the ‘Apply’ button or visit our website: https://www.niab.com/careers for further details and to apply directly. Any questions? Email: jobs@niab.com or call Human Resources on 01223 342282.

Closing date: 13 February 2024.

Interview date: 8 March 2024.