Plant Ecologist

Overview Of Role- The intensification of agricultural production has had negative consequences for the plants and animals that use farmland as a habitat. There is a pressing need to develop approaches to crop production that reconcile food security with a healthy environment. Rothamsted Research is working with Crop Life Europe (a consortium of companies seeking sustainable solutions) on a new project to develop methods for mitigating the negative impact of herbicides.- We are looking for an innovative plant ecologist to work with us to characterise farmland plant communities in terms of the environmental and management factors that explain community assembly and their potential benefits for ecosystem services. By identifying and targeting important non-target plant communities you will contribute to more sustainable weed management. You will have a strong background in plant community ecology and an interest in conserving farmland biodiversity in the context of productive cropping systems. By working with both public and private sector partners, you will gain wide experience and your work will have direct impact on policy and practice.- By analysing existing vegetation survey data from across Europe and collecting new data you will help answer the following questions:
- Can typical farmland plant communities be defined?
- What explains the distribution of these communities at different scales?
- What is their relative value in the ecosystem and to society?
- Are there ways of selectively controlling harmful species while conserving beneficial communities?
- This position is a 3 year fixed term appointment, with a salary of £31,350-£32,315 per annum.- Closing: 10 March 2024- About The CompanyEstablished in 1843, Rothamsted Research is one of the UK's leading Research Institutes delivering world class agricultural science. Our commitment to learning and development, equality, diversity and inclusion and flexibility in working arrangements creates a positive work life balance and enables a welcoming environment for all prospective employees.

We have an attractive benefits package including 30 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme and an attractive campus offering cultural and recreational activities.