2,030 Research And Development Departments jobs in the United Kingdom

Senior Research Scientist 3A – in Biokinetics

Start date: Asap

Contract duration: 2-year contract – possible extension after

Location: Bracknell, fully on-site

PAYE rate: £19.46 per hour

About this opportunity:

We are looking for a Senior Research Scientist who specialises in plant physiology and/or plant biochemistry, and who has proven experience in a research setting to join the Bioperformance group within Bioscience in Crop protection. The group conducts research on the ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Elimination) behaviour of active ingredients (AI) within target and non-target species, enabling understanding of critical performance characteristics such as selectivity, resistance and translation to the field. If successful, as part of the Herbicide Biokinetics team, you would work on the optimisation and deployment of assays using LCMS analysis.

Role purpose:

• Assume responsibility for delivering high quality data to herbicide research projects that you have generated from biokinetics assays. Analyse data, feedback results, contribute scientific advice and propose appropriate follow up studies. Troubleshoot where necessary.

• Using own expertise introduce new technologies and devise improvements to assay protocols to generate operational efficiencies using automation and digital tools.

• Devise and develop new capabilities/experimental strategies to support the ADME-related requirements of projects and programs. Independently design and perform experiments to evaluate the robustness and validity of the biokinetics assays

• Effectively communicate scientific findings and resulting implications within the group and to cross-disciplinary projects.

To be successful in this role, we believe you will need:

• Essential: MSc and/or PhD in plant physiology, in plant biochemistry or related degree.

• Essential: 2+ years of research experience, either in a relevant professional or academic setting.

• Essential: Proven track record in experimental design and troubleshooting.

• Essential: Excellent data processing and analysis skills

• Essential: Ability to work effectively with staff at all levels within the organisation.

• Essential: Record of working with and influencing others through your scientific knowledge and experience.

• Essential: Willingness to deepen scientific knowledge and understanding of the broader crop protection industry

• Desirable: Experience of analysing small molecules using LCMS.

• Desirable: an interest in applying data that you have generated in predictive modelling.

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• Design and execute experiments in molecular biology, cell biology, and protein engineering.
• Develop and optimize novel assays and protocols for biological research.
• Perform detailed analysis of experimental data using statistical software and bioinformatics tools.
• Interpret results and contribute to the formulation of new research hypotheses and project directions.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive laboratory notebooks and research records.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional research teams, including biologists, chemists, and engineers.
• Present research findings at internal meetings and potentially at external scientific conferences.
• Contribute to the writing of research papers, grant proposals, and technical reports.
• Ensure all laboratory activities comply with safety regulations and ethical guidelines.
• Manage and maintain laboratory equipment and consumables.

• Ph.D. in Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of post-doctoral or industrial research experience in biotechnology.
• Extensive hands-on experience with techniques such as PCR, qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, cell culture (mammalian and microbial), and protein purification.
• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., R, Python, GraphPad Prism) and familiarity with bioinformatics tools.
• Strong understanding of scientific principles and methodologies relevant to biotechnology.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex scientific concepts.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Experience with gene editing techniques (e.g., CRISPR) is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with hybrid work models, balancing lab and remote responsibilities.
• A proactive and inquisitive mindset, with a passion for scientific innovation.

• Design and conduct field trials and laboratory experiments to evaluate crop performance, soil health, and pest/disease management strategies.
• Analyze experimental data using statistical software (e.g., R, SAS) and interpret results to draw actionable conclusions.
• Develop and refine agronomic best practices for various crops and regions.
• Research and develop innovative solutions for enhancing crop yields, quality, and resilience.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific advancements, agricultural technologies, and regulatory changes.
• Prepare comprehensive research reports, scientific publications, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including plant breeders, soil scientists, and extension specialists.
• Manage research budgets and resources effectively.
• Contribute to the development of new agricultural products and services.
• Provide technical expertise and support to growers and agricultural stakeholders.
• Ensure all research activities comply with ethical standards and environmental regulations.
• Travel to field sites as needed for data collection and supervision of trials (while the role is primarily remote, occasional site visits may be required).

• PhD or Master's degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Plant Biology, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant research experience in agronomy or crop production.
• Proven experience in experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Proficiency in statistical software and data management tools.
• Strong understanding of plant physiology, soil science, and integrated pest management.
• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple research projects remotely.
• Demonstrated ability to think critically and solve complex problems.
• Experience with GIS and remote sensing technologies is a plus.
• Knowledge of current agricultural challenges and sustainable farming practices.
• A passion for innovation in the agricultural sector.

• Conduct advanced research in areas such as deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, reinforcement learning, and other emerging AI fields.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate novel AI algorithms and models.
• Design and execute experiments to test hypotheses and validate research findings.
• Collaborate with product teams to translate research breakthroughs into practical applications and features.
• Analyze large datasets to identify patterns, extract insights, and inform model development.
• Stay abreast of the latest research and advancements in the field of AI and machine learning.
• Publish research findings in top-tier scientific conferences and journals.
• Contribute to the development of intellectual property, including patents and internal knowledge bases.
• Mentor junior researchers and engineers, fostering a culture of scientific inquiry and innovation.
• Participate in grant writing and proposal development for future research initiatives.

• Ph.D. or equivalent research experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related quantitative field.
• A strong publication record in leading AI conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, CVPR, ACL) or journals.
• Deep understanding of fundamental AI/ML concepts and algorithms.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, and experience with AI/ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras).
• Experience with data manipulation and analysis tools.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly present complex technical concepts.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a hybrid team environment.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.
• A genuine curiosity and passion for pushing the frontiers of artificial intelligence.