Application Deadline: 31 May 2026
Department: Test, Trial & Demonstration
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Field
Compensation: £35,000 - £43,000 / year
Job purpose
Set up and delivery of trials and validation activities across The UK Agri-Tech Centre aquaculture platforms / test beds. Generate trusted data, evidence and information from real world environment to validate technologies, support Agritech business growth and agri-tech product adoption.
Team Purpose:
Helping innovative businesses test and validate their technologies in real world environments as part of programmes of work, CR&D and commercial portfolios. Generate the data and information to demonstrate reliable performance at scale and provide the evidence needed to progress business development and growth. Provide relevant data information to prove relative advantage and ROI of product in operational environment.
This role is field-based, which means you’ll be travelling to client sites, partner sites and our locations as part of your day-to-day work. You may also work from your home address for a minority of the week or attend one of our sites from time to time. Our main locations are: Oxford, York, Edinburgh, Cranfield, Newport (Midlands).
· Safe, robust and effective trials that meet agri-tech business needs.
· Trials adhere to regulator, assurance and compliance framework.
· Data, evidence and information is generated to a high quality and standard.
Operational Responsibilities:
· Plan and design trials including preparing protocols, experiments, data collection plans & procedures.
· Deliver and monitor trials – ensuring all work meets legislative, safety, responsible innovation, assurance and other legal requirements.
· Work with manager to coordinate trial and validation activities for programme, CR&D and commercial portfolio.
· Deliver commercially representative trials.
· Work with others in team and department to collect and analyse data, generate reports.
· Align trials and validation activities with agri-tech business commercial goals.
· Work with Engagement department to build relationships with early adopters, value chain partners as appropriate.
· Support continuous improvement across test and validation team & facilities and demonstration team.
· Provide relevant information in a timely manner and of a high standard to internal and external stakeholders e.g. board, IUK as required.
· Represent the UK Agri-Tech Centre and its activities to internal and external audiences.
Essential:
· Proven experience in designing and delivering trials in applied R&D environments.
· Track record in on hands experience of R&D/ innovation trials in real world environments preferably in an aquaculture setting.
· Awareness of animal health & welfare, crop health, environmental and other relevant regulatory frameworks (as required).
· Understanding of relevant HSE practices.
· Ability to pivot quickly to deal with new and emerging priorities.
· Team player, self-motivated.
· Strong communication skills.
· Excellent time management.
· Able to prioritise workload.
· Excellent IT skills and proficient with Microsoft environments.
· Full UK driving licence.
Technical / Professional Competencies:
· Degree in Agriculture, Animal Science, Agronomy or a related field. Or Equivalent commercial experience.
· In depth knowledge of R&D, agricultural trials.
You will be part of a pioneering organisation driving innovation in agri-tech, whilst working in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment. There is opportunity to grow and develop within a newly established organisation, plus a range of benefits including:
If you are ready for a role that truly makes an impact - join us and be part of something meaningful. We’d love to hear from you!
Established by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, the UK Agri-Tech Centre offers a complete life-cycle of support, driving agri-tech innovation and adoption through world-class facilities, expert knowledge and business support, saving you time and accelerating your progress.
We strengthen the connections between science, business and funders to accelerate research and development, tackling the agri-industry’s most critical challenges such as climate change, labour availability, disease mitigation and environmental sustainability.
As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, we are trusted to provide leadership and guidance to progress transformational change for people and the planet while stimulating economic growth by offering physical centres with cutting-edge R&D laboratories, testbeds, factories and offices.
