POTATO CONSULTANT

Central Scotland

£32,615 - £38,287 per annum

REF: CML/CS/050/21

SAC Consulting is part of SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College), turning research into advice and advantage: we deliver leading edge advice and consultancy to over 12,000 clients in Scotland and the North of England. Our consultancy services include crops & soil health, livestock management, business planning, food and drink product development, forestry & woodland management, climate change mitigation, rural diversification, renewables and sustainability.

SRUC is enhancing and building its consultancy offering in the potato sector. The primary focus of this role is to deliver practical agronomy advice and trials information to growers and corporate subscribers, in addition to carrying out applied R&D work, and other consultancy contracts including technical writing and overseas work. Your role is based in SAC Consulting where you are expected to work closely with colleagues in the SRUC Potato Team, linking between SAC Consulting and SRUC Research, in the development of opportunities and delivery of work to clients.

For this role you must have strong consultancy experience with a strong track record in the potato sector where you can expand our potato business in Scotland. Knowledge of the nematode pests of potato would be a particular advantage.

Working within an existing team of potato specialists you will be responsible for delivering independent, impartial advice to growers, grower groups and a wide range of corporate clients, as well as delivering training courses and knowledge exchange events on PCN and other potato related topics. You will also be responsible for helping to develop our applied potato trials programme in conjunction with research colleagues. You will be provided with an excellent opportunity to lead and deliver our wider Potato Consultancy Services to farmers, corporate clients, and industry organisations.

A science background with experience of trial work and data interpretation is essential. Possession of BASIS and FACTS professional qualifications would be an advantage. However, training opportunities to gain these qualifications would be made available. The work is predominantly for a client base producing seed and/or ware potatoes in Scotland. Experience of working with grower groups and specialist knowledge of pests and diseases of the potato crop, seed and ware crop agronomy and storage is an advantage.

Ideally you will be located within the potato producing areas of Scotland. There are several possible locations within the SRUC network that could be used as a base with a hybrid of home and office working envisaged.

Ideally you should have a Degree or Higher Degree in Agriculture or equivalent which is essential for this position. Your ability to demonstrate relevant postgraduate experience in potato agronomy/ consultancy is essential. PCN experience would be advantageous.

Further details on the responsibilities and requirements for this role can be found in the Job Particulars document downloadable when you click here

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