Company description

 

SilviBio is a biotech company based in Easter Bush on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Our mission is to sustainably improve grower productivity and decrease water and fertiliser use. To achieve this, we design innovative seed coatings, soil additives and other products to do our part in creating a more sustainable future. 

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Job description

 

Thanks to exciting new projects and opportunities, we are growing our Product Development team. Here, we are seeking an enthusiastic scientist who wants to grow alongside our company as our Plant and Soil Assistant Scientist. This role will be involved with: 

• new product research and validation for the forestry market

• helping forest nurseries grow quality tree seedlings more efficiently and sustainably 

• product development for the wider agricultural market

 

The Scientist 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 laboratory and glasshouse testing on plant vigour and supporting field trial experiments. The post holder also will interact closely with other members of the R&D team as well as across the wider community of our partners. 

 

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

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Location: Roslin and Edinburgh, GB

Function: Scientific Research & Development                                  

Working Pattern: Full time

Salary Range: £22,500 - £26,000

Appointment Type: 1 year fixed term with the opportunity of becoming a permanent position

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

• Conduct research and assist in research projects, including collecting information and samples in greenhouse, growth rooms and laboratory.

• Maintain greenhouse experiments and plant care. 

• Carry out plant and soil analyses

• Record data/experiments, present results to the wider team and outside parties and collaborate in writing reports

• Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities and input data into databases

• Interpret results, write protocols and summaries of findings
   

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

 

Essential

• B.S. in Life science related discipline or relevant professional experience

• Background in plant biology, soil science or agronomy

• Experience handling and tracking samples, keeping data records, following protocols

• Experience of physical-chemical analysis techniques

• 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 several projects in parallel and manage competing priorities 

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

• Having a full driving licence for transporting equipment to field trials or glasshouses

 

Desirable

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

• Experience in growing plants under controlled conditions (in growth chambers, glasshouses, etc)

• Experience working with soil or compost samples. 

• Knowledge of handling different types of seeds

• Statistical analysis knowledge

• Experience in giving presentations on findings to both science and non-science audiences

• Experience working in the agricultural/forestry industry

• Experience in handling commercially sensitive materials 

 

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, 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 19 March 2023 to philip@silvibio.co.uk with:

• the subject: Plant and Soil Assistant 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.

 

Contact

 

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

Email: philip@silvibio.co.uk

Tel: +44-073-775-57009