Crop Technician

We’re looking for a Crop Research Plant Technician

Who we are

At wild bio we are radically enhancing crops to feed the world sustainably and promote a wilder planet. Wild plants have had half a billion years to evolve natural solutions for thriving in almost every environment on Earth. Our proprietary genetics platform harnesses these wild innovations to enhance the world’s most important crops. Wild-enhanced crops would simultaneously boost farm yields and promote gigaton-scale carbon mitigation strategies. If you’re looking for a start-up that has enormous potential for impact on growers, consumers, and the planet, please read on.

We are a well-funded, fast-paced Oxford University spin-out working from state-of-the-art molecular biology labs and office at Milton Park, Oxfordshire. We are now in our next phase of growth and are looking for high-performing individuals to join us and significantly contribute to delivering the change we believe in. We’re looking for someone who is driven, curious, and excited to work on cutting-edge R&D projects. We offer a competitive compensation package and are building an environment where you would be enabled to creatively problem solve, default to action to create positive change, and be part of a team where teamwork and employee growth and wellbeing is front and centre.

What you will be doing

• Work with a team of scientists and technicians to develop and implement plant care across a range of common crop types including Wheat, Soybean and Maize
• Carry out routine and daily plant care duties such as health checks, watering, nutrient management, pest management and plant propagation
• Maintain and implement growing systems
• Support plant phenotyping, such as plant height, leaf counts, green area and other physical characteristics
• Monitor soil carbon
• Develop the existing system to maximise crop potential in controlled environment growing conditions
• Implement and carry out crop trials in controlled environment growing conditions
• Write new, and contribute to existing, Standard Operating Practices
• Propagate crops regularly for the needs of the wider team for a range of purposes
• Keep the growing areas clean and tidy for biosecurity and viewing purposes

Essential qualities and skills

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in crop science, plus two or more years' experience of working with plants in controlled or greenhouse environments. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Demonstrable experience of working with plants in controlled environment settings and an understanding of experimental design in the propagation of crops
• Experience of growing at least one of the target crops, Wheat, Soybean or Maize
• Demonstrable experience working as part of a larger team, acting as an enabler for different projects and a willingness to engage and help where needed
• Familiarity with plant propagation techniques such as irrigation systems, nutrient application, soil mixing techniques and plant support structures
• Familiarity with the use of Microsoft Excel
• Flexible with working hours outside of office hours where needed, including travel to research institutes within the UK
• Ability to respond quickly to emergencies with access to Milton Park being no more than 1 hour from home
• Must have the right to work in the UK

Desirable qualities and skills

• Experience and training in the safe use and handling of pesticides and application (PA1 and PA6)
• Experience in growing more than one target crop
• Familiarity with handling data from experiments, and the ability to process and present data clearly
• Full UK driving license

To thrive with us, you will:

• Be a team player in a multi-disciplinary environment, building relationships, and gaining trust from others through honesty, compassion, and authenticity.
• Have a curious and courageous mindset, enjoy stepping up to try new things in a changing environment, and taking initiative where there is often ambiguity.
• Approach solving difficult and complex problems head on, working from first principles and collaborating as a team to re-think problems and learn from both successes and failures.
• Want to seek out new opportunities to develop, share learnings with others, and strive to support others in their own development and growth.
• Challenge established approaches with the aim of improving the system.
• Take initiative where needed with tasks that have not been assigned.

Salary range: £27,000-£31,000 base pay plus company benefits

Location: Headquartered in Milton Park, Oxfordshire, with occasional flexible working in discussion with the business