Company description

 

​SilviBio is a biotech company based in Livingston. Our mission is to help growers grow more plants, more sustainably. To achieve this, we are designing and creating peat-free potting soils for professional growers (glasshouse, polytunnel, etc) using locally available raw materials. Our previous work has focused on soil additives, seed coatings and other biobased technologies to support growers in forestry, food production and ornamentals.

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Job description

 

We are seeking an enthusiastic person who wants to grow alongside our company as our Research Assistant. This role will be involved with:

• new product research and validation to support professional growers in their peat-free transition

• establishing our bacterial culturing and research

• product development–beyond peat-free growing–to help growers overcome barriers to more sustainable food, tree and ornamental production

The Research Assistant will achieve these goals by conducting applied research as part of our Product Development Team. Specifically, they will contribute to improving our products’ field and glasshouse performance by:

• conducting experiments to test the effects of different microbial cultures on growing media and their consequences on plant survival and fitness

• conducting laboratory and glasshouse testing to assess product performance on plant health and vigour on plant vigour and supporting field trial experiments

• interacting closely with other members of our team as well as across the wider community of our partners

Importantly, this role will provide the opportunity to contribute towards new developments in sustainable plant production that positively impact climate change and be part of an international start-up company team.

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Location: Livingston (with occasional work in Edinburgh). We are a 15 minutes' walk away from Livingston North train station

Function: Scientific Research & Development                                  

Working Pattern: Full time (37.5 hours)

Salary Range: £24,300-£27,600

Appointment Type: fixed term until the end of March 2025 in the first instance

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

• Assist in the cultivation and maintenance of microbial cultures

• Assist in the sowing, growing, and maintenance of plants during experiments in laboratory, growth rooms and/or greenhouses

• Conduct sampling, record data, and report findings using graphs and visualisations. Interpret results, write protocols and summaries of findings

• Participate in project progress meetings and present results to the wider team

• Collaborate with the R&D team on various projects

• Contribute to meetings with potential collaborators and clients

• Prioritise health and safety, complying with company health and safety policies and procedures at all times

• Get involved in implementing our carbon reduction plan and other sustainability based initiatives
   

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

 

Essential

• B.S. in Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Plant Science, Agronomy, or a related field; or an HND in Applied Biological Sciences, Horticulture or a related field; or relevant experience

• Experience in microbial culturing and maintenance

• Experience in working in laboratory environment, in glasshouses or relevant environment

• A demonstrated track record of delivering on goals, achieving a high standard of work

• Strong communication skills and a commitment to team success

• Being able to work on multiple projects in parallel and manage competing priorities

• Experienced user of word processing and spreadsheet software (such as MS Office, Google Workspace, LibreOffice)

• Be willing to travel to different glasshouse locations in Scotland and the UK
   

Desirable

• Experience working on field trials and using field equipment, such as moisture metre data loggers

• Statistical analysis experience

• Experience cultivating plants in glasshouses, polytunnels or controlled growing conditions

• Experience working on field trials

• Experience in handling commercially sensitive materials

• Driving licence valid in the UK

Work Environment and Schedule

• Primarily on-site work with occasional short-term travel within the UK

• Flexible working arrangements are a possibility

 

How to apply and application process

 

​In line with our equality, diversity and inclusion policy, we utilise a blind recruitment process so as to give all applicants a fair hiring process and emphasise your experience, skills, qualifications, and other life experiences. As such, please omit any personally identifiable information from your CV including your name, photos, educational institutions (school/university names) including the years you attended, your picture/photograph and any other personally identifiable characteristics. Applicants who fail to do this will be disqualified.
In line with this policy, we conduct standardised interviews where the same questions are asked of all applicants.

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To apply, please send an email by 30 August 2024 to philip@silvibio.co.uk with:

• the subject: Research Assistant job application 

• your CV with personally identifiable information redacted and 

• cover letter with personally identifiable information redacted

 

Sadly, we cannot sponsor work visas for this position; therefore, you will need the right to work in the UK in order to be considered for this position.

 

We are looking for a start date as soon as possible.

 

Contact

 

For any queries or for an informal discussion, contact Philip Shelton:

Email: philip@silvibio.co.uk

Tel: +44-073-775-57009