Agronomy Trials Technician

NIAB; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading plant bioscience organization in Cirencester seeks a dedicated individual to join their Regional Trials Team, focusing on agronomy in field trials for various crop species. Candidates should possess basic agricultural knowledge and administrative skills, with an attention to detail is essential. Competitive salary plus benefits, including flexible hours and generous leave provisions.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

25 days’ holiday plus public holidays

Generous sick pay

Attractive pension scheme

Employee discount scheme

Free on-site parking

Qualifications

• A level or equivalent.
• Basic agricultural skills and experience.
• Knowledge of the agricultural sector.
• Team player with the ability to work under pressure.
• Prepared to work unsociable hours at certain times of the year.

Responsibilities

• Seed preparation, drilling, monitoring, and harvesting.
• Assessing trials and recording information.
• Carrying out off-site work as needed.

Skills

Basic agricultural skills and experience

Knowledge of the agricultural sector

Team player with the ability to work under pressure

Microsoft Office (Word and Excel)

Education

A level or equivalent

Tools

Data loggers

Forklift Licence

Pesticide Application Certification (PA1 and PA6)

Job description

NIAB is a dynamic, research-led and market-driven plant bioscience organisation with an emphasis on innovative applications for end-users in the agricultural, horticultural and food sectors. With almost 90 years’ experience of technology evaluation and transfer, NIAB is spearheading the advancement of plant genetic resources through research, technical services and training.

ABOUT THE JOB

We wish to appoint a keen, hardworking individual to work as part of our busy Regional Trials Teams. The role will focus on all aspects of agronomy in the delivery of field trials and demonstration plots across a range of crop species, including combinable crops, herbage, potatoes, root and forage crops, to evaluate varietal performance, disease resistance and agrochemical efficacy.

Main duties will include seed preparation, drilling, monitoring, spraying, harvest, processing and storage of material for future use. You will also be involved in assessing trials during the season and recording information, so attention to detail is essential. The majority of the work will be carried out as part of a team based at our regional centre in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. On occasions, there will be a need for some off-site work assisting with trials operations at other centres around the UK.

We offer a comprehensive development programme integrated and tailored to reflect staff career paths where appropriate.

Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 6BW
Starting salary: From £23,492 per annum, depending on skills, experience and qualifications, plus overtime at x1.5 rate during peak season
Working hours: 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday)

Benefits include flexible working hours, 25 days’ holiday plus public holidays and 3 days off during the Christmas period, generous sick pay, attractive pension scheme, income protection, life assurance, employee discount scheme, and free on-site parking.

ABOUT YOU

Essential requirements:

• A level or equivalent
• Basic agricultural skills and experience
• Knowledge of the agricultural sector
• Microsoft Office, e.g. Word and Excel
• Team player with the ability to work under pressure
• Prepared to work unsociable hours at certain times of the year

Desirable requirements:

• Tertiary qualifications in science or an agricultural subject
• Working experience of field crop husbandry – drilling, spraying, harvesting
• Use of data loggers
• Experience of conducting field trials
• Forklift, Trailer Licence, Pesticide Application Certification (PA1 and PA6)
• Good level of physical fitness
• A driving licence or access to independent means of travelling, enabling travel to other centres around the UK. Transport can be provided from the regional office to our various sites

TO APPLY

Click the ‘Apply’ button or visit our website: https://www.niab.com/careers for further details and to apply directly. Any questions? Email [e-mail] or call Human Resources on 01223 342282.

Closing date: 10 August 2025
Interview date: 21 August 2025 at our offices in Cirencester, GL7 6BW (what3words – swarm.changed.static)

NIAB actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. As a Disability Confident Employer, we have a positive approach to employing people living with a disability.