Senior Technician for Phytoform Labs Ltd

The Company

Phytoform is a UK based company working on improving crop varieties with the help of new breeding technologies and artificial intelligence. We are a multidisciplinary team looking to enhance crop species to be in pair with a sustainable future. We are at a pivotal time in the agri-tech industry, where the projects developed today in this sector will define the world of tomorrow. The company is currently in the seeding stage with exciting growth plans over the next few years. We are looking for a committed Senior Technician to support our R&D efforts with technical input, management of the technician team and coordination of the use of plant growth R&D facilities.

The Role

If you are looking for a fast-paced environment, new challenges and like working with a multidisciplinary team, then this job is for you. You will be responsible for management of our research technician team, plant growth oversight as well as being a hands-on technician. You will be responsible for the service delivery and all activities and outputs relating to the glasshouse and laboratory. If you have previously been part of an academic or industry team and have horticultural experience and would like to work in a start-up environment then you would be a great fit.

In this role you will:

• Support our R&D teams with ownership of technical support tasks
• Provide leadership of the technical support team including weekly & daily task management
• Plan, Access and Track the use of controlled environment chambers and greenhouses & communicate with Rothamsted Research Horticulture team
• Track and maintain soil grown plants -Tomato, Potato and others
• Track and maintain sterile growth and tissue culture of Tomato, Potato and others
• Delivery of Plant RNA-seq sample collection experiments
• Oversight and delivery of basic molecular biology protocols (Bacterial transformations, DNA minipreps & midipreps, glycerol stocks, etc.) 
• Oversight and preparation of custom media for plant tissue culture and general molecular biology
• Laboratory stocks management (Lab consumables & Deliveries, Seeds, Plant material and custom plasmid and DNA) & communication with the Lab Manager

Requirements:

• A minimum Msc in Plant Biology or a qualification in horticulture
• Experience of working with plants in a biological laboratory or glasshouse setting.
• Experience of managing staff and projects.
• You will be an inspiring leader with strong interpersonal and organisational skills with the ability to organise the technical support team. 
• Experience in sterile working practices, preparing and maintaining media stocks.
• Practical experience of research technician work including molecular biology protocols such as RNA and DNA extraction from plant tissues.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrable numeracy skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail, precision and accuracy, documentation skills and accurate record keeping.
• Great organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise, organise and coordinate a range of tasks simultaneously.
• The ability to follow and create written protocols and instructions.
• A self-motivated, flexible and proactive approach to work, working under your own initiative, working during public holidays if required.
• Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office Word and Excel. Experience with using laboratory management software (ELNs) and project management software (Asana or others).
• A team player with an enthusiasm for working in a busy and evolving environment.

What we offer

• Competitive salary 
• Share of value you create through Employee Stock Option Plan
• Private Medical Insurance
• Great working environment in a multidisciplinary team
• A flexible working arrangement: early or late working with core hours of 10am-4pm
• Possibility of working from home when compiling and analysing data
• Access to a gym & tennis courts
• Access to the cycle to work scheme

If you are looking for a new challenge and like working with a small multidisciplinary team where new ideas are welcome, then we would love to meet you!

Please note: Phytoform is unable to issue sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Visa route for this role as it does not meet the minimum salary requirements.

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Competitive