Research Scientist (Microbial Biotechnology)

Organisation: SilviBio
Location: Livingston (with occasional work in Edinburgh) - easily accessible by train
Contract: Full time - Fixed term until the end of March 2025 in the first instance
Days/Hours: 37.5 hours p/w primarily onsite. Hybrid working possible
Remuneration: £25,000-£28,000 per year

Company description

​SilviBio is a biotech company based in Livingston. Their mission is to help growers grow more plants, more sustainably. To achieve this, SilviBio are designing and creating peat-free potting soils for professional growers (glasshouse, polytunnel, etc) using locally available raw materials. They are currently looking to validate and upscale our production processes to supply our products and solutions at scale.

Job description

SilviBio are seeking an enthusiastic person to join our company as our Microbial Biotechnologist. This role will be involved with: 

• Supporting our bacterial and microbial culturing and research

• Planning experiments and managing the microbiology research part of the projects

• product development to help growers overcome barriers to more sustainable food, tree and ornamental production

The Microbial Biotechnologist will achieve these goals by conducting applied research as part of SilviBio Product Development Team. Specifically, they will contribute to our ongoing projects by: 

• Planning microbial experiments ranging from microbial extraction to fermenting feedstocks

• Establishing protocols and troubleshooting any issues that may arise in the microbiological work

• Capable of independent and collaborative work

• Conducting laboratory and glasshouse testing to assess product performance on plant health and vigour on plant vigour and supporting field trial experiments 

• Interacting closely with the members of the team as well as across the wider community of partners 

Importantly, this role will provide the opportunity to contribute towards new developments in sustainable plant production that positively impact climate change and be part of an international start-up company team.​

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in the cultivation and maintenance of microbial cultures.

• Collaborate on the design and plan of microbial experiments 

• Assist in the sowing, growing, and maintenance of plants during experiments in laboratory, growth rooms and/or greenhouses

• Conduct sampling, record data, and report findings using graphs and visualisations. Interpret results, write protocols and summaries of findings

• Participate in project progress meetings and present results to the wider team

• Collaborate with the R&D team on various projects

• Contribute to meetings with potential collaborators and clients

• Prioritise health and safety, complying with company health and safety policies and procedures at all times

• Get involved in implementing SilviBio’s carbon reduction plan and other sustainability based initiatives

Closing date: 30 December 2024