THE PROJECT

The University of Essex in partnership with Stourgarden offers an exciting opportunity for a graduate with the relevant skills and knowledge to undertake research and development to apply the latest theories in plant physiology to optimise light and nutrient recipes in totally controlled environments to grow alliums. Benefits include savings in costs and time through shortened growing cycles and reduced energy use.

This post is fixed term for 20 months and is based initially at the University of Essex, with regular travel to Stourgarden’s offices in Great Horkesley, Colchester. It is anticipated that the final month of the project will take place at Stourgarden’s offices. 

DUTIES OF THE POST

The duties of the post will include:

Create, conduct, run and monitor experiments and research trials on onions in a containerised trial facility Carry out plant physiology measurements of photosynthetic performance and plant growth Work alongside the Engineering and Software Tech Teams to integrate plant science with engineering Perform data analysis and interpret findings, prepare reports to support the companies scale up agenda, and share internally with senior management and where relevant, clients Support the Plant R&D Team with the operations of the farm & delivery of research, including other trials that may be taking place Ensure safe and sustainable company operations Maintain production facilities in a clean and hygienic state and keep a laboratory notebook Develop new environmental control protocols for Stourgarden research farm and clients Share information, insights, knowledge, and skills, and be open to feedback to develop and learn from company staff Support the Plant R&D Team to monitor emerging technologies, research and potential partners Participate in academic and/or industrial conferences and other events, to disseminate and present research outcomes to the wider community Build the IP and publications necessary to protect Stourgarden’s competitiveness, contribute to communications and regulatory engagement Work towards the publication of peer-reviewed articles in high impact Journals in collaboration with Stourgarden with academics at the University of Essex (support with grant writing and research publications) Act as lead on this collaborative research between University of Essex and Stourgarden. Prior experience in R&D in farm environments Experience designing and running plant science experiments with multiple factors Extensive knowledge and experience in plant phenotyping required to demonstrate changes in plant quality as a result of changed environment Extensive experience or knowledge of plant physiological techniques and protocols required to support this research

KEY REQUIREMENTS

BSc in Plant Sciences, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, or similar degrees MSc in Agronomy, I Plant Physiology, Plant Pathology, Plant Biotechnology or a similar field, or equivalent industry experience. PhD plant sciences, biological sciences, plant physiology/pathology/biotechnology or similar

LOCATION

Initially at University of Essex:

Wivenhoe Park

Colchester

CO4 3SQ

With travel to Stourgarden:

Boxted Road

Great Horkesley

Colchester

CO6 4AP