THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Recruitment Role Profile Form
Job Title:
Research Fellow
School/Department:
School of Biosciences, Division of Plant and Crop Sciences
Salary:
£27,854 to £36,298 per annum, depending on qualifications
and experience. Salary progression beyond this scale is
subject to performance.
Job Family and Level:
Research and Teaching, Level 4
Contract Status:
Fixed-term contract for a period of 5 years
Hours of Work:
Full time
Location:
Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham.
Reporting to:
Dr Debbie Sparkes
Purpose of the Role:
The purpose of the role is to deliver an applied research programme on sugar beet
productivity. The role holder will design and conduct experiments in three main areas:
evaluating and mitigating limitations to water uptake by sugar beet, identifying rooting
traits for optimal nutrient uptake and improving establishment and early growth. The role
will involve research based at the University’s Sutton Bonington Campus, utilising
glasshouse and growth room facilities there, alongside field experiments in association with
the British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO). Due to the close collaboration with BBRO,
the role will include frequent travel within the UK. The role holder will also be required to
present their research to a range of audiences including scientists, agronomists and
growers.
Main Responsibilities
1.
2.
3.
4.
Design and conduct robust experiments on soil-plant interactions in the sugar beet
crop in controlled environments
Work alongside the BBRO field team to design and conduct field experiments and to
collect data from farmers’ fields
Analyse data appropriately and produce scientific reports and technology transfer
documents
Any other duties appropriate to the grade and role of the post holder.
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Essential
Qualifications/
Education

PhD or equivalent in soil
science, agronomy or related
subject
Skills/Training

Excellent oral and written
communication skills
Good understanding of
experimental design and

Desirable


Experience of a range
techniques to assess soil
structure
Experience of techniques


Experience



statistical analysis
Excellent time-management
and multi-tasking skills
Excellent research skills, with
evidence of effective research
delivery within a
multidisciplinary environment
Proven ability to produce
independent research work of
high quality
Excellent skills in interpersonal
communication
Excellent research skills and
proven ability to work
effectively both independently
and as part of a team.




to assess the rooting
structure of crops
Expertise in image
analysis
Proven track-record in
publishing research work
of international
excellence in peerreviewed journals.
Experience of presenting
to national or
international scientific
meetings
Experience of knowledge
transfer for growers and
agronomists.
Statutory/Legal
Other


Ability to travel to and from
field sites in the UK.
A good level of physical fitness
is required for the field work
which will include soil and crop
sampling.


Knowledge of the sugar
beet crop.
Commercial Awareness.
Decision Making
i) Taken independently by the role holder;
Making individual decisions about design and conduct of particular experiments and analysis of
the data generated.
ii) Taken in collaboration with others;
Planning the general research programme and direction.
Planning publication of research in peer-reviewed journals.
Production of knowledge transfer messages for growers and agronomists.
iii) Referred to the appropriate line manager by the role holder;
Additional Information
Applicants will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in
the UK as defined by the requirements set out by the UK Border and Immigration
Agency. Please visit http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ for more information.
Please quote ref SCI15241
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