Plant Health Research Support Officer

Animal and Plant Health Agency; Exeter; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension

25 days leave

Learning & Development

Employee discounts

Volunteer leave

Job summary

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is recruiting a Plant Health Research Support Officer to join the Centre for Environmental Horticulture and Plant Health (NCEH). You will help safeguard plant health by coordinating research, policy evidence, and knowledge exchange across the UK and EU.

You will work with Defra and APHA partners to deliver high-quality research projects, manage portfolios, and communicate findings to diverse audiences, supporting plant health decisions and policy

Qualifications

• Scientific knowledge in plant health management.
• Experience collaborating with internal and external experts to deliver a shared vision.
• Strong written and oral communication to non-specialists.

Responsibilities

• Support the NCEH Head of Centre in administering and delivering the NCEH virtual research centre.
• Develop and manage elements of the NCEH research portfolios and oversee high‑quality projects.
• Ensure research outputs are delivered on time using scientific knowledge and programme management skills.
• Manage the pipeline of project reports and outputs from submission to publication.
• Collaborate with policy makers and researchers to underpin plant health evidence and risk-based decision making.
• Coordinate with Defra and APHA partners across the UK and Europe.

Skills

Scientific knowledge

Stakeholder management

Communication

Data analysis

Excel

Education

Science degree 2:2

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Do you want to help shape and deliver research that protects the UK’s plants, trees and horticulture from emerging threats?

Can you bring people, science and evidence together to support effective plant health decisions?

If so, we would love to hear from you!

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, because it helps us be more innovative and make better decisions.

We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all individuals. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, and we hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Plant Health Research Support officer to join our Centre for Environmental Horticulture and Plant Health (NCEH). We have one mission, which is to safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of everyone in society, the environment, and the economy. Every one of our employees is passionate about achieving this mission. Responding to the Government’s mission for kickstarting economic growth, this role has been created to capitalise on the UK’s excellence in plant science and translate this into commercial success for the environmental horticulture sector. This sector is facing a number of interrelated challenges including increasing pest and disease risks, reductions in pesticide use and the use of alternative growing media.

Your core activity will be to support the newly established Centre for Environmental Horticulture and Plant Health and work alongside the NCEH Head of Centre. The NCEH research programme brings together long-term strategic research on emerging and future threats with more applied research on immediate risks. This research is developed with partners across the United Kingdom, the European Union and further afield.

The role involves a wide range of work including, but not limited to, the following:

• Support the NCEH Head of Centre in administering and delivering the NCEH, a virtual research centre led by the Royal Horticultural Society and APHA
• Develop and manage elements of the NCEH research portfolios, including commissioning, overseeing and assuring a small portfolio of high-quality research projects and related activities to deliver value for money and support plant health policy, decision making and knowledge exchange
• Ensure research projects and outputs are delivered and disseminated efficiently and on time, using scientific knowledge and wider programme management skills
• Manage the NCEH pipeline of project reports, journal articles and other outputs from submission to Defra through approval by Defra’s publication panel and publication, liaising with research partners, managing risk and preparing defensive lines for communications support
• Work with the Defra Plant Health Evidence and Analysis (PHEA) team, policy makers and specialists across evidence professions, including natural scientists, economists, statisticians and social researchers, to commission and assure the evidence underpinning plant health policy and risk-based decision making
• Collaborate with experts across the Defra network, including APHA, the Forestry Commission, Forest Research and RBG Kew, and with the wider UK academic sector
• Contribute to high-profile work on priority plant health threats, including Xylella, ash dieback, oak processionary moth and acute oak decline, supporting the GB Plant Biosecurity Strategy and the Tree Health Resilience Strategy
• Support other Defra group plant health programmes, including those within APHA, as required, such as the PHEA Future Proofing Plant Health programme, and contribute to essential APHA work when needed

Person specification

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Scientific knowledge and/or experience relating to the management of plants in forestry, agriculture, horticulture, the natural environment, pesticide management, or integrated pest management
• Experience of working collaboratively with internal and external technical experts and stakeholders to build excellent relationships, communicate effectively and deliver a shared vision
• Good written and oral communication skills; with the ability to translate science or analysis to both peers and non-specialists
• Ability to manage your own workload and prioritise tasks, and an ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Ability to interpret and analyse scientific/technical information
• Experience of commissioning, procuring and managing projects and monitoring budgets
• Good proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to analyse and interpret data, manage records and present information clearly and accurately

Qualifications

Science degree 2:2 minimum, or equivalent scientific knowledge and/or experience relating to the management of plants in forestry, agriculture, horticulture, social science or the natural environment.

Why work for APHA?

Alongside your salary of £35,895, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £10,398 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Other Key Benefits Include

• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities tailored to your role.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
• Staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme.
• Three days special leave with pay, per year, for volunteering (pro-rata for part time employees).
• Making it work for you - With so many flexible options, most people can find a work schedule to suit their circumstances.

Learning and Development

Everyone in APHA is supported to develop your skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role.

In return for your dedication, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. Inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA.

Closing date is 11.55pm on Thursday 5th November 2026