Job Description

The VacancyMain Purpose of JobThe main role of the job will be to assist existing staff in delivery of experiments required for RESAS and EU project Root2Res. To deliver these experiments, the role will need to help run controlled environment experiments and field experiments.The job will focus on preparation, maintenance and sampling of these experiments, and responsibility for processing soil and plant samples for molecular biology and physiological assessment. Training in all procedures will be given as required. Some outdoor work will be required and is an integral part of the role.We are seeking an enthusiastic individual:

• with some fundamental understanding of the importance and function of plants and soil
• who understands the challenges of working outdoors when field sampling
• that will work as part of a team in contributing to the delivery of world class research

This post is fixed term from the middle of May to beginning of July 2025.Main Duties of Postholder

• Prepare growth media for experiment, sieve soil and fill pots for plant growth
• Assist in planting and maintenance of plant growth by daily watering for a range of water treatments
• Assist in sampling of field experiments
• Be involved in the collection and process circa 1000 shoot tissue samples, 500 soil samples, and 150 atmospheric gas samples over the main growing season.
• Assist in shoot tissue processes by freeze drying, grinding, digesting, and preparing for analysis of P, N, C and micronutrients using spectrophotometry, and ICP.
• Assist in root sample analysis using techniques for root hairs and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi analysis
• assist in soil sample processing and analysis which may include pH, extraction for C, N, P and micronutrients, extract of DNA/RNA and measures of soil moisture content.

Person SpecificationEssentialDesirableAttainments:Education / qualificationsHighers, A Levels of HNC in Science/Horticulture subjectsBSc orHND plus relevant experience.Experience:Some experience of scientific experimentsExperience in lab, glasshouse and/or field environmentsComputer literate including spread sheets and word processing software.Use of more advanced scientific equipmentBroad general understanding of the importance of soils and plants in underpinning agriculture and environmental services.Skills:Evidence of working in a small team and aloneGood communication and interpersonal skillsExcellent organizational and time management skillsEvidence of accurate record keeping.Positive attitude and self-motivatedInterest in measurement of plant interactions with the environment.Awareness of good laboratory practice including the importance of Health and Safety and Risk AssessmentOur Commitment to Equality and DiversityWe will not consider the use of 3rd party recruitment agencies for the sourcing of candidates for this position.The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.The James Hutton Institute is a: Stonewall Diversity Champion; Athena SWAN Silver Status Holder; Disability Confident Committed Employer and a Living Wage Employer.The James Hutton Institute is Happy to Talk Flexible Working.The CompanyThe James Hutton Institute combines strengths in crops, soils and land use and environmental research, and makes a major contribution to the understanding of key global issues, such as food, energy and environmental security, and developing and promoting effective technological and management solutions to these.James Hutton (1726 - 1797) was a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, an eighteenth century golden age of intellectual and scientific achievements centred on Edinburgh. He is internationally regarded as the founder of modern geology and one of the first scientists to describe the Earth as a living system. His thinking on natural selection influenced Charles Darwin in developing his theory of evolution.Our Values

The James Hutton Institute