Technician

Role Description

Department of Biology (CNAP)

Enhanced Microbes for Sustainable Agriculture

An exciting new project led by the AgTech startup CroBio Ltd., and in collaboration with the University of York and the Biorenewables Development Centre, will enhance CroBio’s living soil amendment, an innovative technology designed to¿improve nutrient retention, water retention, and carbon sequestration in soils.

Role

The role, located within the Harper Lab in the Department of Biology,  will also work closely with the Hodson Lab in the Department of Environment & Geography and other project partners. The successful applicant  will support the organization and management of glasshouse trials and collect samples from field experiments. They will be responsible for gathering and analyzing data from these experiments, focusing on various plant and soil health characteristics, with a particular emphasis on nutrient management metrics.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

The successful candidate will hold a degree or equivalent experience in a relevant area, and will have experience of assisting with the day to day running of labs and providing support to other lab members. Skills in areas such as plant husbandry (ideally in wheat), molecular biology and/or soil chemistry would also be beneficial, although training in methods that the successful applicant is unfamiliar with will be provided.

(Role holders will be required to undertake some or all of the duties below)

• Work on own initiative to help solve problems which achieve the objectives of the work area, raising any issues with more senior staff.
• Plan and perform experiments or other tasks using a range of scientific techniques, sometimes working from a limited brief.
• Liaise with appropriate staff to ensure the work area and equipment are kept operational.
• Be responsible for the maintenance, modification, repair and operation of equipment in the work area, liaising with service engineers.
• As required, solve faults and repair technical equipment.
• Work effectively with staff and students, providing technical advice in relation to the work area and techniques used.
• Pro-actively update and improve processes and support change in the work area.
• Understand, promote and apply relevant COSHH/risk assessments and departmental health and safety protocols ensuring procedures are followed at all times.
• Maintain accurate records of work undertaken, including reports, using appropriate software.
• Contribute to the development of protocols, standard operating procedures and maintenance schedules for the work area.
• Assist with purchasing including ordering and distributing goods.
• Manage a small budget. Monitoring resource usage and maintaining supplies of key items.
• Communicate and, if required, make presentations of own work activities to others in the team.
• Provide inductions, training and demonstrations of specialist techniques ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory guidelines.
• To contribute to and support change in the work area.
• When required, manage team resources to coordinate and plan the day to day activities of a group of staff.
• To actively demonstrate a commitment to professional development by continuing to advance knowledge, understanding and competencies.

Interview date: 23rd April, 2025

For informal enquiries: please contact Andrea Harper (andrea.harper@york.ac.uk)

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork