Rhizocore Technologies – Edgmond, District of Telford and Wrekin
Overview
Rhizocore Technologies is an applied mycology startup (based at the Roslin Innovation Centre in Edinburgh) building the world’s largest commercial fungal strain library for the discovery, protection and utilisation of fungal biodiversity for environmental and social benefit. Rhizocore has a forestry product on the market using fungi to grow healthier, more resilient forests that are less susceptible to drought and that sequester more carbon. We are now researching the potential application of fungi to tackle environmental pollution (mycoremediation).
We are starting an Innovate UK-funded 2 year project in partnership with The James Hutton Institute, Harper Adams University and The Cheshire Wildlife Trust, which aims to develop novel and effective fungal-filter technology that can be deployed in agricultural settings to remediate watercourses affected by agricultural pollution (e.g. Nitrates and Phosphates).
In order to achieve this, we are hiring two postdoctoral researchers to support the development of this novel mycoremediation technology; one based at The James Hutton Institute, one based at Harper Adams University. This post will be based at Harper Adams University, the leading UK Higher Education (HE) institution focused on the land-based and food supply-chain sectors with an important national role in these subject areas, with a requirement to undertake field work in Cheshire supported by the wider team, and to visit and meet with partners in Scotland and England. Our ideal applicant will have a PhD in environmental, soil or water sciences with experience of field monitoring, experimentation, laboratory analysis and data evaluation. The postholder will be involved in carrying out on-farm field evaluations and experiments as team member and leader of some activities.
Responsibilities
Assessing trial sites within watercourses on Future Farm at Harper Adams University and Cheshire Wildlife Trust sites, including a pre-deployment site characterisation period (storm monitoring), then deployment of the fungal filter materials and paired up/down-stream sampling. Collation of experimental and monitoring data and data exploration.
Interacting with the project team, the other post-doc undertaking field deployment trials in Scotland and wider partners to present results and develop concepts. Leading or contributing to writing scientific papers for publication in leading international journals and conferences. Developing market and stakeholder engagement networks to disseminate project results.
Planning and delivering a dissemination event with customer stakeholders. This post will be line managed by Lucy Crockford (HAU) and Philip Schuler (Rhizocore).
Candidate Specification
Education and Experience
Essential:
- PhD in Environmental sciences, or Environmental chemistry/biogeochemistry/analytical chemistry.
- Attitude and willingness for environmental fieldwork during all seasons involving soil and water monitoring, sampling and data collection.
- Proven field, experimental and laboratory skills in water chemical analyses and/or microbiological analyses leading to data of sufficient quality for journal publication.
- Experience of working with environmental datasets across multiple physico-chemical and/or microbiological parameters and ability to query these data using empirical statistical methods.
- Full driving licence appropriate to the UK.
- Track record of technical and integrative publications across environmental and water science disciplines.
- An interest and ability to communicate technical topics to non-specialist peers and, for example, land managers.
- A proven ability to work within a team to effectively organise field and laboratory research tasks and collaborate on science outputs.
- Experience in managing resources of time and consumables/travel money for discrete work areas under your control.
- A proven ability to deliver data and written work to a high quality and to deadlines.
Desirable:
- A previous postdoc, or similar experience, in applying soil and water technical skills in the lab and/or field towards understanding catchment processes.
- Direct experience working with investigations on catchment nutrient, sediment pollution and mitigation for diffuse pollution in rural environments.
- Experience of quality control on larger datasets, for example such as environmental sensor parameters.
- Knowledge of UK and EU water policy and regulation.
- Experience in wider science communication and ability to speak to farmers about the work taking place.
- Experience of active engagement and ideas sharing amongst research teams representing field, laboratory experimentation and modelling involving scientists across multiple institutions and/or countries.
- Experience of problem-solving issues of delivery due to project circumstances e.g. weather disruption, experimental delays.
- Experience working with microorganisms, particularly fungi.
- Experience working in an innovative laboratory or startup environment.
- Knowledge of the environmental sector, UK and EU water policy and regulation.
Application Procedure
To be considered for the position, applicants must provide the documents listed below. A checklist has been provided as further guidance for what to include:
- Document 1: Cover Letter
Please provide examples of your relevant skills, abilities, knowledge and experience to support your application for this role.
- Document 2: CV
Education and employment history.
Once completed, please email your documents to: ***********@rhizocore.com
Kind regards,
Philip Schuler, Head of R&D, Rhizocore Technologies
Be careful - Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs. Don't transfer any money or complete suspicious online surveys. If you see something suspicious, report this job ad.
#J-18808-Ljbffr