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 livestock 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 The UK Agri-Tech Centre facilities.
· Support the development and delivery of a range of The UK Agri-Tech Centre projects across the livestock 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.
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).
· Lead on The UK Agri-Tech Centre livestock trial and validation activities
· Ensure The UK Agri-Tech Centre platforms/test beds and trials capability for the livestock sector are functional and effective
· Ensure high quality robust livestock trials, data and evidence generation at The UK Agri-Tech Centre
Strategic Responsibilities:
· Develop and enhance livestock The UK Agri-Tech Centre Test, Trial and Validation Capability.
· Ensure relevant business KPIs, targets & programmes are met.
Operational Responsibilities:
· Oversee trial and delivery work for the livestock sector for The UK Agri-Tech Centre.
· Deliver activities within time and budget
· Ensure The UK Agri-Tech Centre delivers commercially representative trials.
· Develop, role out and continually improve frameworks, processes and approach for data quality, protocols and evidence generation.
· Align The UK Agri-Tech Centre livestock 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 UK Agri-Tech Centre 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 sector specific testbed/platform.
Essential:
· Extensive technical experience of the livestock industry 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 livestock trials in real world environments.
· Awareness of animal health & welfare relevant 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.
Technical / Professional Competencies
· Degree in Agriculture, Animal Science 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.
