Crop Protection Scientist (Cereals & Oilseeds) - Fixed Term Contract

Agriculture And Horticulture Development Board (ahdb; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agricultural board in Coventry is seeking a Crop Protection Scientist focused on cereals and oilseeds. This hybrid role involves providing technical support, managing research projects, and engaging with stakeholders. Candidates should possess strong project management and data analysis skills alongside a post-graduate background in relevant fields. Competitive benefits include a generous leave policy and comprehensive employee assistance programs.

Benefits

33 days annual leave plus one privilege day

Life assurance cover (4x salary)

Defined contribution pension scheme

Enhanced pay for maternity and parental leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Post-graduate research experience or expertise within arable/cereal and oilseeds.
• An understanding of the development and management of research projects.
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent project management skills.
• High level of experience in analyzing and interpreting data sets.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support on IPM, especially in weed and disease control.
• Coordinate stakeholders and manage project delivery.
• Analyze and interpret relevant data, delivering results to deadlines.

Skills

Project management skills

Data analysis and interpretation

Written and verbal communication

IT skills, especially Excel

Research experience in arable/cereal

Education

Post-graduate research experience

Job description

Overview

We are currently recruiting for a Crop Protection Scientist - Cereals & Oilseeds sector on a fixed term basis until August 2026. This role works on a hybrid basis, two/three days from our HQ in Coventry and the remainder working remotely from home.

At the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), we inspire our farmers, growers and industry to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Working at AHDB, you won't just be helping our farmers produce the food we eat and look after our environment, you'll be helping to shape the future of food production and leaving a legacy for the next generation.

Responsibilities

• Be a UK authority and provide technical support to the Senior Crop Protection Scientists and Head of Crop Protection on IPM (especially in the areas of weed and disease control) by keeping up to date with the latest developments and related research areas, nationally and internationally.
• Play a significant role in the delivery and development of projects, coordinating stakeholders, organising and chairing meetings with relevant working groups, and assisting with the procurement of related activities.
• Work closely with colleagues and external partners to process, analyse, and interpret relevant data, delivering results to deadlines whilst actively seeking to improve processes.
• Liaise with stakeholders to understand challenges in IPM facing UK Cereal and Oilseed production and ensure that industry needs are identified and evaluated within the context of the AHDB Cereal and Oilseed research strategy.
• Liaise with a wide range of external stakeholders including levy payers, agronomist associations, government, funding bodies, national and international research organisations.
• Promote AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds funded research and disseminate key messages and findings of research projects, through attendance at events, technical presentations and written publications, and responding to technical email and telephone enquiries.

Qualifications

• Post-graduate research experience or expertise within arable/cereal and oilseeds.
• An understanding of the development and management of research projects and programmes.
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Excellent IT skills, especially Excel and the use of databases.
• High level of experience in analysing and interpreting data sets.
• Full valid UK driving licence and the flexibility to travel when required is desirable.

Benefits

• 35 hours per week, to include hybrid working.
• 33 days of annual leave plus one privilege day (inclusive of bank holidays) pro rata.
• Life assurance cover (4x salary).
• A market-leading defined contribution pension scheme with Legal & General.
• Enhanced pay of 20 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, subject to length of service.
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
• Excellent training and development opportunities and an agreed development plan.
• Recognition awards throughout the year.
• Access to the Government's tax-free childcare scheme.
• Reward Gateway membership - online discounts and savings.
• Please note if you are joining us on a Secondment your current terms and conditions will remain.