Field Technician - new job in Cambridge, UK

Job title: Agriculture Technician

Location: Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire

Contract length: 1 year

Hourly rate: £11.50 - circa £21,500

SRG are working with a leading science-based agrochemical organisation, to find an agriculture technician dedicated to bringing plant potential to life.

As an agriculture technician, you'd be responsible for supporting trials operations, including field and seed processes and breeding programmes. This would include working in programmes from nursery breeding to in the field.

This role would suit a graduate with an interest in agricultural or plant sciences, or someone with experience in the agricultural sector. You'd be working for a large company, with opportunities for moving into lab based or other speciality roles after the contract, for the right person.

Role purpose

• To support the Trials Operations during May to November in the delivery of, field and seed processing operations for the cereals breeding programmes
• To support the Nursery and Purity team during December to April in the delivery of, field and seed processing operations for their cereals breeding programmes
• To support goals for efficiency, timeliness and quality in all operations
• To undertake a wide range of tasks in scope of the trialling and operations team including seed preparation for trials, sowing for trials and nurseries, crop assessment for trials and harvesting for trials

Responsibiliies

• Threshing, cleaning, counting, weighing, treating, casetting and racking of seed for nurseries and trials
• Routine use of their MINT track & trace system for all seed movement.
• Preparation and dispatch of seed shipments to their external recipients

• Sowing, labelling, preparation of field books, in-season scoring for a variety of attributes, tissue sampling, crossing and harvesting
• Learn selection criteria and become proficient in scoring and phenotypic checks in the nurseries, isolations and PLP
• To assist in the maintenance of Parental lines and seeds stocks

• To perform all tasks and behaving in a manner compliant with and in support of all health and safety related company policies and practices, including completing all required company training courses.
• Where appropriate, oversee seasonal temporary labour and students working within the Nurseries area to maintain the same high standards of Health and Safety
• To communicate effectively and liaise on a regular basis with the team and manager on the status of activities

Knowledge, experience & capabilities

• A basic understanding of plant genetics or breeding systems is desirable
• HND or BTEC in Agricultural or Biological science or relevant industry experience is advantageous.
• Experience of working within a small team.
• Experience of working in a plant breeding environment is desirable.
• Experience of working with tight and changing deadlines.

If you would like to hear further or apply, please contact Josh at

Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group STEM Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.