Horticultural Assistant (Fixed Term)

Applications are invited for an enthusiastic Horticultural Assistant to join the Department of Plant Sciences, supporting our Plant Growth Facilities across two sites: The Crop Science Centre (CSC) and the Department's Plant Growth Facility (PGF) within the Botanic Garden site.

This is a practical, hands-on role ideal for someone who enjoys working with plants and facilities. You will carry out essential tasks including cleaning and sterilising equipment (such as running bleaching tanks), maintaining compost stocks, caring for plants, and ensuring the general upkeep of plant growth areas. Your work will be key to the smooth day-to-day running of the facilities.

You will also gain experience in controlled environment rooms, integrated pest management, and biosafety procedures, while contributing to cutting-edge plant science research as part of a friendly, supportive team of researchers and technicians.

Our facilities at both CSC and PGF include controlled environment rooms with precisely regulated temperature, humidity, and lighting conditions. We grow a wide range of plant species, including rice, maize, tomato, potato, tobacco, cowpea, and Arabidopsis, within these facilities. Plants are also transferred for growth at the Park Farm Glasshouses. A full driving licence is essential for this role.

The position reports to Dr Susana Sauret-Gueto (CSC Scientific Service Manager) and is split between the CSC (55%) and the PGF (45% FTE). You will have regular contact with the DoPS Senior Facilities Manager when based on the PGF site. You will work closely with a range of colleagues, including the CSC Lab and Horticultural Technician, as well as the PGF Senior Horticultural Technician, to support the delivery of high-quality plant growth services across both sites.

We are looking for someone reliable and practical, who enjoys working in a busy environment, and communicates well with a wide range of people. If you are a team player with a positive, proactive attitude and an interest in horticulture, we would like to hear from you.

Please contact Dr Susana Sauret-Gueto (ss2359@cam.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.

Limited funding: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

If you have not received any response 1 month after the closing date you should consider your application to be unsuccessful.

Please quote reference PD49409 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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