Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Update January 2011

Please feel free to distribute this update to other members of your organisation.
If you have any events, news or advertisements you would like to see included in the next newsletter, please email bgs21@cam.ac.uk by 10am on 14 January 2011.

Content in Summary:



Events – Next CPPS lecture by Dr Danny Zamir (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) Is there a limit to tomato yield?  17 Feb 2011, 16:00-17:00 at the Dept of Plant Sciences, Cambridge CB2 3EA, followed by networking; Training Event: Growing Quality Ware Potatoes: 24 Feb 2011, 09:00-16:00 in Attleborough; Conference: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture: 28 Feb-1 March 2011, at the Royal Society

Funding Opportunities - African Enterprise Challenge Fund Agribusiness and Renewable Energy Calls, deadline 31 Jan 2011; Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust (NFST) Award  to explore 'Life after manufactured fertiliser', deadline 18 March 2011.

Jobs – Research & Knowledge Transfer Managers in Non-Food Uses and Agronomy at HGCA ; deadline 31 Jan 2011

Miscellaneous – CALL FOR PAPERS: The Essential Principles of Small- and Mid-Scale Food Value Chain Development; deadline 15 Feb 2011; Technology and Innovation Centres Prospectus published

Events


Next CPPS Lecture
Speaker: Danny Zamir, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Title: Is there a limit to tomato yield?
Date:  17 Feb 2010, 16:00-17:00 (followed by wine & nibbles)
Venue: Dept of Plant Sciences (Large Lecture Theatre), Cambridge CB2 3EA
The lecture will be followed by networking over wine and nibbles; an excellent opportunity to connect with the speaker and other members from industry and academia!   All welcome, no registration is necessary.
Abstract available here
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Growing Quality Ware Potatoes
A seminar from the Training Association
Date:  24 Feb 2011, 09:00-16:00
Venue: Breckland Lodge, Attleborough, Norfolk
BASIS CPD points have been applied for
This seminar will deal with the blemishes and rots and what can go wrong with potato tubers destined for high quality outlets. It is aimed at practical potato growers and their advisors, as well as others who in their daily work deal with high value potato crops. Participants will be encouraged to contribute from their own experience in dialogue and discussion in order to acquire a better understanding of the reasons behind disease management strategies.
Cost: £50 (+ VAT)
For information about the course, and to obtain a booking form, contact Paul at paul@gansplanthealth.com or telephone 01223 212496 or 07834 355899 or visit www.gansplanthealth.com.

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Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture
Date: 28 Feb-1 March 2011
Venue: The Royal Society
Delivering the increases in food production required from a growing population, while reducing agricultural emissions and adapting to climate change, presents a unique scientific challenge, which this discussion meeting at The Royal Society proposes to explore. For information on how to register, see http://www2.royalsociety.org/events/forms/1111.htm.

Funding Opportunities


 
The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund launched in mid-2008 and has since run seven rounds of its investment competition, supporting new investment in the agribusiness, rural financial services and media and information sectors, across Africa.
Calls currently open:
* Tanzania Agribusiness Competition
* Renewable Energy and Adaptation to Climate Technologies Competition
Deadline for both 31 Jan 2011
Read more on: http://www.aecfafrica.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid

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Opportunity to study 'Life after manufactured fertiliser' - Applications Open: The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust (NFST) is pleased to announce a special award offering leading industry individuals the chance to explore 'Life after manufactured fertiliser'. This special award is open to UK residents working in the fields of food, farming or forestry and there is no age limit. The closing date for applications is 18 March 2011, to be followed by interviews for shortlisted candidates on 7 April 2011.

Jobs

 
HGCA are recruiting for Research & Knowledge Transfer Managers in Non-Food Uses and Agronomy.  Based at Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, deadline 31 Jan 2011. Details of HGCA's job vacancies are available on the AHDB website: http://www.ahdb.org.uk/vacancies/default.aspx.

Miscellaneous


 
CALL FOR PAPERS: 

The Essential Principles of Small- and Mid-Scale Food Value Chain Development
Manuscripts due February 15, 2011
JAFSCD invites researchers, ag/food system development professionals, and others to submit applied research papers, critical reflection essays, commentaries, and other manuscripts that provide critical insights into small- and mid-scale food value chain development.          
Further information can be found on: http://www.agdevjournal.com/current-special-topic-call.html. For details about JAFSCD and author guidelines, visit www.AgDevJournal.com/submissions.

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Technology and Innovation Centres Prospectus Published
In October 2010 it was announced that over £200m will be invested in a network of elite technology and innovation centres, to be established and overseen by the Technology Strategy Board. A prospectus (pdf) has just been published to begin launching these world-leading centres, including an invitation for organisations to register their interest in forming a technology and innovation centre focused on the area of high value manufacturing. Read more on http://www.innovateuk.org/deliveringinnovation/technology-and-innovation-centres.ashx.

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If you have any events, news or advertisements you would like to see included in the next newsletter, or to unsubscribe, please email bgs21@cam.ac.uk (deadline for inclusion in next newsletter is 10am 14 January 2011).

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Job opportunity with Germains, Kings Lynn

Senior Laboratory Scientist – Kings Lynn

"At Germains, through our depth of experience and expertise, we employ an industry-leading combination of the latest technological and biological tools and techniques to significantly enhance the natural potential of seed.

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our UK R&D department for a Senior Scientist with experience of working in biological sciences with knowledge of plant and seed physiology. An understanding of soil science and plant nutrition would be advantageous.

The successful candidate will need to quickly develop a deep technical understanding of the current and future development project requirements of the business as well as identify new approaches to help the business achieve its long term goals."

Key Responsibilities would be:

• Research and development of new seed treatments and enabling technologies for the improvement of germination and vigour of seeds, with a focus on sugar beet
• To fully utilise company systems to accurately record all results, provide detailed statistical analysis of relevant information and to provide interpretation of results
• Conduct statistical analysis on study results to identify patterns and trends
• Write clear and concise reports to enable the presentation of findings and conclusions, as well as proposed next steps
• Communicate and transfer technical knowledge to manufacturing team to allow large scale application of new technologies
• Work closely with operations to periodically review manufacturing processes to ensure that maximum efficiencies are being achieved through all processes

The successful candidate will require the following attributes and skills:

• The ability to present ideas and recommendations in a clear and concise manner to enable effective business decisions to be made
• The ability to communicate effectively at all levels in the organisation
• Sound technical ability combined with a structured and business focused approach

Experience required is as follows:

• Minimum 1-3 years postgraduate experience in biological sciences
• Experience in seed physiology
• Experienced in conducting laboratory or agricultural field trials

A competitive salary and benefits package will be offered for the role which will be commensurate with the experience and track record of the successful candidate.

If you wish to apply for this position, please send your CV and a cover letter to:
Tim Drew, HR Manager, Hansa Road, Kings Lynn, PE30 4LG (tdrew@germains.com).