Field Experimentation to Optimise Oats Nutrition for Yield and Quality
About ADAS
ADAS (www.adas.uk ) is the UK’s largest independent provider of agricultural and environmental consultancy, rural development services and policy advice. We have over 400 staff across the country covering >80 disciplines.
Our combination of insight and practical experience, underpinned by robust, informed, science-based information allows us to meet the needs of both our domestic and international clients.
The placement project and skills
The successful candidate will be working on an AHDB (www.ahdb.org.uk/cereals-oilseeds) and Industry-funded project. The work aims to provide advice on the most appropriate nitrogen rates and timings plus sulphur applications to optimise winter and spring oats’ yields and milling quality. There are a currently a number of field experiments established around the country and we would like the student to manage the pre-harvest sampling of these experiments.
The work will involve writing protocols, carrying out practical field work, measurements of samples, data entry and data analysis. It will be an important aspect of the overall project as it will improve the understanding of the effect of nitrogen and sulphur on oats biomass and nitrogen uptake and partitioning.
The student will be working closely with the project manager and field team at ADAS but will take charge of this part of the oats project. There will also be opportunities to work with the field team to deliver a range of other cereals and oilseed rape projects looking at varieties, fungicide and plant growth regulator effects.
The student will gain insights into working in a commercial research environment, including skills in effective time and project management, team-working, practical field-work skills plus data management and reporting. There will be an opportunity to present results to the project consortium at the end of the placement.
Candidate requirements
The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, willing to work outdoors or in an office with a degree of flexibility. Good time management and ability to work alone or as part of a team. Skills in Word, Excel and statistics.
Candidates will require a full, clean, driving licence and access to a car as the site is not accessible via public transport.
Placement details – when and where
This will be a part time (3 days per week) placement over 5 months, starting in July 2021, with some flexibility in this.
The placement will be based at the following ADAS site, although visits will need to be made to other field sites:
ADAS Gleadthorpe, Meden Vale, Mansfield, NG20 NPD
How to apply
Please send a CV and covering letter to Sarah.Clarke@adas.co.uk .
Deadline for applications: 12th June 2021