Job Description
Trials & Validation Coordinator (CEA)
Application Deadline: 17 July 2026
Department: Operations
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Stockbridge Technology Centre, York (Selby, North Yorkshire)
Reporting To: Trials & Validation Lead
Compensation: £35,000 - £41,000 / year
Job Purpose
Working with the CEA Trials and Validation Lead, this role supports the coordination, setup, and delivery of CEA trials, primarily at UKATC’s facilities. Based on-site near York, it involves working with operational teams, subcontractors and project stakeholders to manage activities mainly across the Vertical Farm Development Centre (VFDC) and Advanced Glasshouse Facility (AGF), with occasional travel to other UKATC and project partner sites UK wide.
This role will be integral in delivering trusted data, evidence and relevant commercial performance information, to support agri-tech businesses to develop and validate their technologies. Whilst also providing demonstration through hosting external visits and open days for growers and industry stakeholders to increase awareness and adoption of new technologies within CEA production.
Team Purpose
Helping innovative agri-tech 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.
Location and Working Arrangements
In this position, you will need to work at least two days per week at our Head Office located at York Science Park (YO10 5DG). During trial periods, you will also be required to work on site at Stockbridge Technology Centre, Cawood (YO8 3TZ), along with occasional travel to our other CEA facilities in Warwick and Dundee as needed.
Legal right to work in the United Kingdom is a mandatory requirement for this role. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship now or in the near future. Applicants without valid work authorisation in the UK will not be considered.
Key Responsibilities
- 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
- Liaise and coordinate with colleagues, partners, subcontractors and suppliers to manage day-to-day activities
Operational Responsibilities:
- Work with T&V Lead to coordinate the design and planning of trials across a portfolio of work programmes, CR&D and commercial projects
- Work with T&V Lead to design and prepare protocols, experimental plans, data collection activities & other procedures
- Deliver and monitor commercially representative trials across UKATC’s vertical farm, greenhouse and CEA platforms – ensuring they meet legislative, H&S, legal and other requirements.
- Work with wider team to collect and analyse data
- Work with wider team to write and review reports and other technical outputs
- Support engagement work through hosting visits and open days for agri-tech businesses, growers and wider stakeholders
- Support continuous improvement across UKATC’s CEA facilities and business processes
- Provide relevant information in a timely manner and of a high standard to internal and external stakeholders
- Represent the UKATC and its activities to internal and external audiences.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential:
- Proven experience in delivering trials in applied R&D environments
- Awareness of relevant regulatory frameworks and understanding of relevant HSE practices
- Experience in basic data analysis/statistics
- Ability to pivot quickly to deal with new and emerging priorities
- Excellent time management and ability to prioritise workload
- Team player, self-motivated
- Strong communication skills
- Excellent IT skills and proficient with Microsoft environments
- Full UK driving licence
Technical / Professional Competencies:
- Relevant Degree OR Equivalent commercial CEA experience.
- Technical knowledge/experience in R&D trials
- Technically proficient/minded
Benefits
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!
