Research Fellow in Plant Metabolomics

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic Research Fellow in plant biology to work on the BBSRC-funded project “Season extension of UK asparagus using dynamically controlled atmosphere” within our Plant Science Laboratory.

The Plant Science Laboratory is one of the largest centres dedicated to research, consultancy and education in postharvest biology and technology of fresh produce in Europe. We service all sectors of the fresh produce supply chain including many of the major multinational food companies, multiple food retailers and undertake research for both national and international Governments, research councils, and levy bodies. Our aim is to find answers to biological challenges in partnership with our clients.

A new opportunity exists whereby the seasonality/ availability of UK asparagus could potentially be extended and gluts in production smoothed by implementing, validating and optimising the use and efficacy of UK-designed dynamically controlled atmosphere technology (DCA). Increasing the availability of UK asparagus through better understanding and modelling how DCA can suppress postharvest senescent processes will reduce the UK’s dependence on imported asparagus, reduce waste and help towards greater self-sufficiency.

You will be responsible for the experimental set up and maintenance of storage trials at Cranfield University and for the varied detailed analysis needs (both physiological and metabolomic).

You will have a PhD in Plant Biochemistry and a passion for better understanding postharvest biology and proven experience of undertaking research, including track-record of self-reliance in running laboratory experiments and conducting metabolomics and chemometric analysis. You must be highly numerate, able to record, analyse and interpret quantitative biological data.

You will be a confident, self-motivated, enthusiastic, flexible independent researcher and have excellent project and time management skills ensuring that milestones and deliverables are achieved to time and to high quality.  You will also possess excellent oral, written communication and presentation skills.

Organisation: Cranfield UniversitySchool

Department: School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood

Based at: Cranfield Campus

Hours of work: 37

Contract type: Fixed term contract

Fixed Term Period: 24 months

Salary: £31,153 to £32,889 per annum

Deadline: 26/06/2015

Reference:1872

Documents:

1872 Candidate Brief.pdf
(PDF, 155.42kb)

Apply now