Job Description
Crop Trials & Validation Lead
Application Deadline: 31 May 2026
Department: Test, Trial & Demonstration
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Field
Compensation: £48,000 - £58,000 / year
Job purpose
· Development, management and delivery of crop trials and technology validation activities
· Support agri-tech business growth and agri-tech product adoption via the generation of trusted data, evidence and information from UKATC facilities.
· Support the development and delivery of a range of UKATC projects across the crop sector
Team purpose:
· Helping innovative businesses test and validate their technologies in real world environments.
· 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.
Key Responsibilities
· Lead on UKATC crop trial and validation activities
· Ensure UKATC platforms/test beds and trials capability for the crop sector are functional and effective
· Ensure high quality robust crop trials, data and evidence generation at UKATC
Strategic Responsibilities:
· Develop and enhance UKATC crop Test, Trial and Validation Capability.
· Ensure relevant business KPIs, targets & programmes are met.
Operational Responsibilities:
· Oversee trial and delivery work for the crop sector for UKATC.
· Deliver activities within time and budget
· Ensure UKATC delivers commercially representative trials.
· Develop, role out and continually improve frameworks, processes and approach for data quality, protocols and evidence generation.
· Align UKATC crop trials and validation activities with agri-tech business commercial goals and IUK programme outcomes.
· Work with colleagues to build relationships with early adopters, value chain partners as appropriate
· Support continuous improvement within team
· Provide relevant information in a time manner and of a high standard to internal and external stakeholders e.g. board, IUK as required.
· Represent the UKATC and its activities to range of stakeholders
Leadership / People Responsibilities:
· Line management of Trials and Validation Coordinator
· Key contact point for agri-tech business, farmers/growers/supply chain relevant to crop sector.
What we are looking for
Essential:
· Extensive technical experience of the crop sector and systems
· Proven leadership in trials, validation or applied R&D environments.
· Experience in line management
· Experience with and involvement in programme management with multiple projects with interlinking stakeholders and priorities
· Track record in on hands experience of R&D/ innovation crop trials in real world environments.
· Awareness of crop health & environmental regulatory frameworks and HSE practices
· Ability to critically assess evidence, identify gaps, and articulate limitations clearly.
· Ability to pivot quickly to deal with new and emerging priorities.
· Effective customer/stakeholder management across a wider user base – including multi-partner projects.
· Team player, self-motivated.
· Strong communication skills to range of stakeholders.
· Excellent time management.
· Able to prioritise workload and make effective decisions at pace when required.
· Excellent IT skills and proficient with Microsoft environments.
· Full UK driving licence.
Desirable:
· Experience working alongside data, modelling, or measurement teams to support impact claims.
· Prior engagement with government agencies, research institutes, or industry bodies.
· Project Management Experience.
Additional Information
Technical / Professional Competencies
· Degree in Agriculture, Crop Science, Agronomy or a related field or equivalent commercial experience.
· In depth knowledge of R&D, agricultural trials.
Why join us?
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:
- 33 days of annual leave with flexible public holidays allocation
- Flexible working hours
- 4x salary life assurance
- EAP with 24/7 helpline and expert advice service (legal, finance, health)
- Pension salary sacrifice scheme availability
- Fees for professional memberships
- Ongoing training and development
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!
