UKVGB Horticultural Technician (60125-0625)

Fixed term contract - There is funding to recruit a full-time Technician on FA4, currently restricted to end on 31.03.2027. There may be further funding available subject to confirmation from the funder.

We are recruiting a horticultural 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 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. Our major crop collections include brassicas, lettuce and carrot, and you will manage seed production in our dedicated glasshouse facilities. The work centres on plant husbandry and managing the seed production cycle (sowing, propagation, plant nutrition, pest and disease management and harvest). There will also be opportunities to plan field trials and carry out data collection activities, as well as gain experience in other areas of activity within the UKVGB.

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 glasshouse, field and potentially laboratory environments. You will have significant horticultural experience - we are particularly interested in someone who has handled and managed large numbers of plants or samples in previous roles or who has managed plant production cycles. The ideal candidate will understand the need for, and be able give examples of, key skills such as pest and disease management, 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 a thorough understanding of plant biology/horticulture. There will be scope for training and development in different techniques and approaches as part of the role.

We believe that collegiality, openness, inclusivity and diversity are essential for an excellent environment; this ethic has enabled us to gain an Athena SWAN Silver award. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you are excited by this role, we encourage you to apply, even if your past experience does not match exactly. We also encourage applications from all groups with protected characteristics.

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with. In line with the DBS Code of Practice, the successful candidates for any roles involving regulated activity, will be subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level. The University will take all necessary measures to ensure that any individual subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group specified (i.e. children and/or adults). We expect all employees, volunteers, and partners to share our commitment to safeguarding.

We wish to advise applicants that this role is not eligible for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa. If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK you will need to check the UK Government Website to see if you are eligible to obtain the right to work in the UK through one of the other UK immigration routes before you make your application.

To apply, please click 'Apply' below and submit an application form by the closing date. You will have to attach a CV and a cover letter. Your CV should include your employment history (including your most recent employment), your education history, and any other relevant experience. Your cover letter should explain your motivations for applying to the role. It should also explain, using examples, how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the Job Description PDF document.