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. We are currently looking to validate and upscale our production processes to supply our products and solutions at scale.

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Job description

 

We are seeking an enthusiastic person to join our company as our Microbial Biotechnologist. This role will be involved with: 

• Supporting our bacterial and microbial culturing and research

• Planning experiments and managing the microbiology research part of the projects

• product development to help growers overcome barriers to more sustainable food, tree and ornamental production

The Microbial Biotechnologist will achieve these goals by conducting applied research as part of our Product Development Team. Specifically, they will contribute to our ongoing projects by: 

• Planning microbial experiments ranging from microbial extraction to fermenting feedstocks

• Establishing protocols and troubleshooting any issues that may arise in the microbiological work

• Capable of independent and collaborative work

• 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.

 

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

Function: Scientific Research & Development                                  

Working Pattern: Full time (37.5 hours) primarily at our Livingston facility. Hybrid working possible

Salary Range: £25,000-£28,000 per year

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.

• Collaborate on the design and plan of microbial experiments 

• 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 in industrial biotechnology involving microbial culturing and/or fermentation processes

• Experience in microbial culturing, maintenance of cultures and fermentation

• Experience in working in laboratory environment operating to good laboratory practice

• Knowledge of managing microbiological hazards

• A demonstrated track record of problem solving, delivering on goals and 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 and trial site locations in Scotland and the UK
   

Desirable

• Research and people management experience

• Statistical analysis experience 

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

• Soil science

• 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 December 2024 to philip@silvibio.co.uk with:

• the subject: Research Scientist 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.

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Contact

 

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

Email: philip@silvibio.co.uk

Tel: +44-073-775-57009