Agroecology Field Technician
Agroecology Field Technician
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Job Description
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated postgraduate to develop a career as a field ecologist and environmental scientist working in the area sustainable agriculture. As a member of the Agroecology Group in the Ecological Sciences Department you will be responsible for preparing and setting up field trials carrying out environmental monitoring and sample collection (physical chemical and biological) sample processing and data entry. You will work in a variety of settings including commercial and research farms interacting with farmers and other stakeholders as well as researchers. You will help to communicate and share our research with a wide range of audiences through infield demonstrations and stakeholder workshops as well as contribution to scientific presentations and publication. You will be encouraged to be innovative and given the opportunity to adopt and develop new methods and approaches and you will have the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge participating in multiple projects often as part of major multinational initiatives.
The post is based in Dundee with a requirement for frequent travel within Scotland and occasionally within the United Kingdom and Europe.
Main Purpose of Job
The purpose of this position is to contribute to the fulfilment of field experiments and surveys as part of the Agroecology Group. This can include responsibility for the daytoday organisation of other staff dedicated to experimental setup environmental monitoring sample collection (physical chemical and biological) sample processing and data entry. The position will also involve engaging with farmers and other stakeholders providing support in field demonstrations workshops and similar events.
Main Duties of Postholder
- To work as a member of a team to efficiently establish and assess field experiments field surveys and other fieldbased data collection activities as required.
- Development and application of expertise in the assessment and monitoring of above and belowground biodiversity and related work including taxonomic identification.
- Development and application of expertise in the assessment and measurement of physical and chemical environmental properties.
- To conduct and oversee the setting up of field experiments and surveys and the monitoring and sampling in the field in line with established protocols.
- To conduct and oversee labbased processing of sample material collected in the field with a focus on processing of biological samples and soil samples.
- Data entry using digital and paperbased methods.
- Contribution to the statistical analyses of field data.
- Preparation and updating of recording forms and other documentation.
- Maintain fieldwork equipment ensuring that it is cleaned maintained and stored correctly.
- Actively engage with other relevant staff in the development of techniques/methods.
- Participation in demonstration and stakeholder engagement activities and events.
- Day to day management with respect to more junior team members.
- Provision of training to junior staff in all aspects of field work.
Person Specification
Education/Experience/Skills
Essential
- BSc in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
- Practical experience in setting up field experiments and/or practical experience in environmental sampling and monitoring.
- Experience of data management and the statistical analysis.
- Basic computing skills (e.g. word processing spreadsheet and data handling power point).
- Excellent organisational skills including time management.
- Patient and methodical with an appreciation of the need for accuracy and precision in all aspects of scientific experimentation and surveying.
- Strongly selfmotivated with a desire to carry out work to a high standard.
- Experience of working as part of a team under challenging conditions and the ability to lead and motivate others on a daytoday basis.
- Good communication skills to ensure effective understanding within a team with other members of staff and with farmers and other stakeholders.
- Potential to develop specialist knowledge skills and expertise in field work and related methods including taxonomic identification and the use of species identification keys.
- Full drivers license.
Desirable
- Demonstrable interest and experience in sustainable agricultural systems.
- Mapping skills i.e. use of a handheld GPS (for location) and GIS (for recording and analysing spatial data).
- Familiarity in talking to farmers and other stakeholders.
- Experience of working in an interdisciplinary team.
Other
- Willingness to do work outdoors and carry out field work in any weather.
- Willingness to work away from home for short periods of time including overnight.
- Flexibility in working hours e.g. may need to work later during harvest or to get a job finished.
- Willingness to undertake training (on or off site) to enhance existing knowledge.
What we offer:
Employee 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 worklife 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 timeoff for Christmas.
Pension Employer Contribution of 15 in a Personal Pension Plan and employee contribution flexibility.
Selfmanaged hours and Flexible Working option to manage and spread your working time in line with organisational needs to create a healthy work life balance.
Our Commitment to Equality and Diversity
We will not consider the use of 3rd party recruitment agencies for the sourcing of candidates for this position.
The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
The James Hutton Institute is a: Stonewall Diversity Champion; Athena SWAN Silver Status Holder; Disability Confident Committed Employer and a Living Wage Employer.
The James Hutton Institute is Happy to Talk Flexible Working.
The Company
The James Hutton Institute combines strengths in crops soils and land use and environmental research and makes a major contribution to the understanding of key global issues such as food energy and environmental security and developing and promoting effective technological and management solutions to these.
JamesHutton(was a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment an eighteenth century golden age of intellectual and scientific achievements centred on Edinburgh. He is internationally regarded as the founder of modern geology and one of the first scientists to describe the Earth as a living system. His thinking on natural selection influenced Charles Darwin in developing his theory of evolution.
Our Values
Documents
Required Experience:
IC
Employment Type
Full-Time
