Cereal Pathologist (Specialist)

We are recruiting a Cereal Pathologist to join our friendly and dynamic field pathology team to provide a practical senior scientific (specialist) support in the area of plant pathology, with the main focus on fungal rust and mildew diseases of cereal and legume crops, which is essential to delivery of the UK Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey (UKCPVS) and our levy, commercial, and UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) pathology work.

As a Cereal Pathologist, your key duties include:

• Carrying out first class research to ensure successful delivery of UKCPVS project objectives


• Helping deliver Recommended List (RL), Variety List (VL), and commercial field trials on all main UK cereal diseases


• Contribute to project reporting, publications, and knowledge transfer activities


• Train and manage junior technical personnel, and help managing project finances and resources


The field pathology team is focused on delivering research and high quality field trials across a range of cereal and broadleaved crops and their respective pathogens and comprises 8 technical staff managed by two research leaders. The team have access to extensive walk-in growth room and glasshouse facilities, laboratories, and a range of field trial sites across Cambridgeshire as well as a site in Norfolk. The team is an integral part of the Plant Pathology Department consisting of 21 research staff plus several PhD students and visiting workers who deliver a wide range of levy (AHDB, Defra/APHA), commercial, and UKRI funded projects.

Your work will be split between laboratory, field, and office, varying according to the season. Practical work will largely involve a lab-based isolation and multiplication of fungal rust and mildew isolates, isolates pathotyping, and assessment of disease resistance to pathogens in cereal and legume crops under growth room conditions. You will also contribute to field trials overseeing isolates multiplication, field plot inoculation, and disease scoring.


• Degree (BSc as a minimum although PhD is desirable) in Plant Pathology or equivalent qualifications/experience


• A full driving licence and a willingness to drive light passenger vehicles is needed to access sites inaccessible by public transport


• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills


• Excellent organisational and planning skills with the ability to prioritise and work to deadlines, even when under pressure


• Experience handling fungal plant pathogens, in particular rusts (and mildews)


• Experience working with, growing and inoculating cereal crops (growth room and field)


Desirable requirements
We are seeking candidates who demonstrate, innovation, pragmatism, and flexibility, adept in managing high workload peaks. Additionally, candidates should be capable of accommodating seasonal workloads and occasional weekend commitments with flexibility.

NIAB is a leading crop science organisation, with research capabilities in plant genetics, plant pathology, agronomy, farming systems, and data science. It has the largest national field trials capability, and strong research links with industry, Government and academia. With headquarters in Cambridge and regional offices across the country, employing close to 400 people across the UK, NIAB provides scientific research, technical services and practical advice to improve the yield, efficiency and resilience of crop production across the arable, forage and horticulture sectors. NIAB is an Independent Research Organisation eligible for competitive UKRI funding calls. Research departments at NIAB's sites in Cambridge and East Malling have a large programme of BBSRC grants. NIAB's position at the interface of academic research and commercial breeding offers opportunities for strong collaborations across the plant sciences sector.

NIAB's established state-of-the-art facilities at its two Cambridge sites host molecular biology and plant growth facilities, including extensive glasshouses and containment units for genetically modified plant trials and over 250 hectares of commercial cropping and field trials. The campus at our HQ site includes the Crop Science Centre, a collaboration between NIAB and the University of Cambridge, with a mission to deliver food in a sustainable way.

Contract: 18 month fixed term contract in the first instance
Working hours: 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday, Benefits include 25 days holiday plus public holidays and 3 days off during the Christmas period, flexible working, generous sick pay, attractive pension scheme, income protection, life assurance, employee discount scheme, free on-site parking and great colleagues.