School/Department School of Water, Energy and Environment
Based at Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire
Hours of work 37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered.
Contract type Fixed term contract
Fixed Term Period 36 Months
Salary £30,600 per annum
Apply by 19/05/2021

Role Description

Cranfield University’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships is creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

The School of Water, Energy and Environment and the Cranfield Soil and AgriFood Institute welcomes applications from graduates in soil science, environmental science, agriculture, ecology, biology, physical geography, chemistry or related discipline, or the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience.

About the School of Water, Energy and Environment/Cranfield Soil and AgriFood Institute

Cranfield’s excellence in Water, Energy and Environment is recognised internationally. Industrial-scale facilities underpin our research and development in applied environmental science. The School is focused across the themes of Energy and Power, Water, and Environment and Agrifood, where the post will be located. The School is leading the University’s response to the green economy agenda in the areas of clean growth, climate adaptation and infrastructure renewal.

Within the School, the Cranfield Soil and Agrifood Institute (CSAFI) has internationally-recognised expertise in agricultural and environmental sciences, with particular strengths in soil science, applied soil and water management, soil conservation and provision of ecosystem services. Our plant and microbial scientists link to our soils research through understanding rhizosphere processes and root trait genetics, using our unique, cutting edge experimental facilities. We work closely with the Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Informatics (CEAI) to deliver multidisciplinary research, consultancy and postgraduate teaching.

About the Role

The primary role is to undertake experimental work in Cranfield’s soils laboratories and in the Agri-Tech Centre Soil Health Facilities. Working in a research team, the successful candidate will assist with the design, build and running of experimental facilities that test the suitability of different soil / substrate profiles for the recreation of calcareous grassland habitats. A significant part of the project includes setting up and monitoring large-scale experiments inside the glasshouse, undertaking laboratory analyses and carrying out fieldwork.

About You

The appointee will have a degree in the natural or environmental sciences, or a related discipline, or the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience.  They will have practical experience of designing, building and running large scale laboratory and/or field experiments, including data collection, recording and analysis.

The appointee will be highly competent in project- and time management, with excellent oral and written skills. They will be an excellent team worker with a ‘can-do’ attitude, as well as a high degree of personal motivation and the ability to work with minimal supervision.

Our Values

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here. We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential.

Diversity and Inclusion

Our equal opportunities and diversity monitoring has shown that women and minority ethnic groups are currently underrepresented within the university and so we actively encourage applications from eligible candidates from these groups.

To further demonstrate our commitment to progressing gender diversity in STEM, we are members of WES & Working Families, and sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day.

Flexible Working

We actively consider flexible working options such as part-time, compressed or flexible hours and/or an element of homeworking, and commit to exploring the possibilities for each role. Find out more here.

How to apply

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Jane Rickson, Professor of Soil Erosion and Conservation at: j.rickson@cranfield.ac.uk