Details
1114509
University of Warwick
30/06/2026
Ongoing
Monday to Friday, 36.5 hours per week
Not Applicable
Pay
£14.07
£1.70
Description
Role
We are recruiting a technician to join the UK Vegetable Genebank project team. This is a great opportunity to work in agrobiodiversity conservation and to contribute to a project which improves global food security. This exciting and varied new role adds to the existing UKVGB team of one research fellow and three technical staff. You will help us to deliver effective and efficient management and conservation of seed in the UKVGB, an internationally significant collection of genetic diversity in vegetable crops. The work includes supporting the delivery of the UKVGB project through handling seed stocks, fulfilling seed requests, maintaining records in our database, and planning and carrying out the collection of observations of plant traits and research data. You will be working in a diverse range of environments including office, laboratory, glasshouse and field and in our seed storage facilities
You will be working as part of a small team of technical staff so good interpersonal skills and a flexible approach to this varied role are important. You will be comfortable working in a diverse range of environments including office, laboratory, glasshouse and field and in our seed storage facilities. You will have IT skills which will enable data entry and management. The ideal candidate will understand the need for, and give examples of, key skills such as keeping accurate records and the ability to plan your workload around seasonal factors. You will need to communicate effectively with the other UKVGB team members, and with other groups within the department as well. You will have at least a basic understanding of plant biology or horticulture. There will be scope for training and development in different techniques and approaches as part of the role.
Duties and responsibilities
1.To undertake activities relating to the management and distribution of seed from the UK Vegetable Genebank, including retrieval and labelling of seed packets as well as cleaning weighing, stocktaking, recording and packaging seed samples.
2. To carry out characterisation data collection and other work related to linked small research projects. This includes taking digital images of plants, taking and processing leaf samples or other activities involving plants and soil/growth media.
3. To germinate, grow, pollinate and harvest stored and regenerated seeds and plants for research analysis. The technician will undertake sample collection, manual crossing and cataloguing material.
4. To update and maintain the project database relating to seed collection management including recording changes in seed stock levels, germination test results, images and other information to inform the project and stakeholders
5. Ensure compliance with health and safety in all aspects of work.
6. Regularly meet with PI and project team to plan next stages of work, communicate progress and discuss plans at weekly/group meetings and to share/contribute ideas.
7. May be required to take part in demonstrations of UKVGB activities to visitors and students and occasionally supervise summer casual workers as and when the need arises.
The duties and responsibilities outlined are not intended to be an exhaustive list but provide guidance on the main aspects of the job. The postholder will be required to be flexible in their duties.
Skills and experience
Completion of an Apprenticeship or Vocational qualification NVQ Level 3 or HNC or educated to ‘A’ level standard or equivalent or have undertaken relevant work experience in a similar environment.
An understanding of plant biology and or horticulture
Experience of working within a research, plant breeding or seed collection environment
Good IT skills and experience of data entry and data management using spreadsheets and/or databases
Excellent attention to detail, essential for data analysis, collection of samples and for producing documentation of a high standard
Good organisational skills required in handling and organising large numbers of samples
Ability to plan and prioritise tasks to meet workload pressures
Ability to work flexibly, independently and as part of a team
Awareness of health and safety procedures and processes
The ability to problem-solve
Location
Innovation Campus, Stratford-upon-Avon
Additional information
Duration of the role is 31st March 2027