Main Purpose of JobTwo field and Lab assistants are required to assist with research relating to cover crops and the impact of tillage on plant:soil interactions, linked to Scottish Government funded research programme. We need help with sampling two currently running field trials. One is a long-term field trial investigating the long term effects of tillage (ploughing vs non inversion tillage - https://virtualtours.hutton.ac.uk/grieveshousetour/ ) and rotations on soil and crop productivity, especially linked to processes that occur between plant genotype and the soil processes. The other field experiment is looking at processes involved in the successful establishment of winter cover crops in the Scottish climate. Winter cover crops can be used to build soil health, but the local climate means the window of opportunity for establishment is limited. The post-holder will assist with the sampling of these trials and the post-processing of samples using established protocols, including assessment of biomass and soil chemical and physical analysis.Main Duties of PostholderField sampling of plants and soils to set protocols.Processing of field samples, including but not limited to separation and weighing of plant and soil sampling. Photography of samples. Assistance in preparing samples for analytical processing.Recording data from both field and lab measurements.Person SpecificationEducation/Experience/SkillsEssentialAbility to be hands-on and follow instructions in fields and sampling methodsAbility to adhere to health & safety instructionsInterest in cropping systems / agricultureNumerate and ability to record measurements accuratelyWilling to work under both lab and field conditions (i.e.
outdoors)DesirableQualification in science subjectAbility to use excel / learn to run and follow instructions for use of un familiar computer programmesPlease note that the contract for this position would be a three weeks full time contract between 10 and 28 February 2025. Benefits offeredEmployee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential service available to support employees and their families with work or personal problems.
Providing access to professional counsellors, psychologists, and work-life consultants available to help and support individuals in tackling all types of problems.Annual Leave – Generous entitlement up to 40.5 days a year, with carry over possible and guaranteed time-off for Christmas.Pension - Employer Contribution of 15% in a Personal Pension Plan and employee contribution flexibility.Self-managed hours and Flexible Working – option to manage and spread your working time in line with organisational needs to create a healthy work life balance.Additional NotesPlease note the minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa is currently £38,700.00. If the advertised salary for this posts falls below this threshold, we regret to advise that we may not be able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship to a non-UK citizen for this role. Applicants who do not meet the conditions to be sponsored as per the UK governments page (https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/when-you-can-be-paid-less) will need to demonstrate an alternative right to work.