Research and Development Data Scientist

JR United Kingdom; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a mission-driven startup as a Research & Development Data Scientist, applying cutting-edge science and data to help farmers grow sustainably. You'll work on crop modelling and machine learning, contributing to impactful solutions in agriculture while collaborating with a passionate team.

Benefits

Equity at a meaningful growth stage

Massive career growth potential

Flexibility to shape your role

Qualifications

• Experience in Python (or R) and working with agricultural datasets.
• Knowledge of agronomy, particularly wheat and fertiliser usage, is highly desirable.
• Proactive, adaptable startup mindset.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve crop modelling work using DSSAT, APSIM, or similar models.
• Support the development of machine learning layers on top of crop models.
• Analyse results from ongoing trials to refine models.

Skills

Python

Crop growth models

Machine learning

Scientific thinking

Commercial thinking

Education

PhD or 2+ years post-academic experience

Job description

Research & Development Data Scientist

This is a unique opportunity to join a mission-driven startup applying cutting-edge science and data to help farmers grow more sustainably and profitably.

You’ll join a growing startup of high performers and work at the intersection of crop growth modelling, machine learning, and agronomy, directly supporting the development and improvement of a cutting-edge product!

Responsibilities:

1. Own and evolve crop modelling work using DSSAT, APSIM, or similar models (e.g., tuning cultivar parameters, incorporating new environmental risks, modelling fertiliser effects).
2. Support the development of machine learning layers on top of crop models, integrating satellite data and in-field results.
3. Analyse results from ongoing trials to refine models and build market-facing insights for farmers.
4. Collaborate with the Crop Growth Modelling Lead and CTO/Founder to shape work based on your strengths, whether research-heavy or engineering-oriented.
5. Work with the wider data and backend engineering team to deploy solutions in production.
6. Help improve internal tools written in Python, interacting with crop model codebases in Fortran and other environments.
7. Balance independent R&D with commercial and product-focused initiatives, shaping their scientific and technical foundations.

Qualifications:

1. Experience in Python (or R) and working with models, simulations, or agricultural/environmental datasets.
2. Experience with crop growth models, especially DSSAT or APSIM, or similar adaptable models.
3. A proactive, adaptable startup mindset comfortable with ambiguity.
4. Strong scientific and commercial thinking skills: ability to build, test, and explain ideas clearly.
5. Ideally 2+ years of post-academic experience, or exceptional recent PhD graduates.
6. Knowledge of agronomy, particularly wheat and fertiliser usage, is highly desirable.
7. Comfort collaborating with engineers or deploying your own models, even if engineering skills are not perfect.

Benefits:

1. A role with significant scope and impact in a fast-scaling startup applying space tech, crop science, and data.
2. Work with a passionate, experienced team that values both R&D and delivery.
3. Equity at a meaningful growth stage.
4. Massive career growth potential, with opportunities to own your space as the company scales.
5. Flexibility to shape your role around your strengths—research-led, product-led, or engineering-integrated.
6. Contributing to solutions with genuine climate, economic, and food security impacts.

Mirai values diversity and an inclusive culture, welcoming applications from all backgrounds to foster a collaborative and diverse future in the workplace.