Research Assistant - Sustainable Farming Systems

Redstone Search Group; Belfast; On-site; GBP 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university is seeking a Research Assistant in Sustainable Farming Systems as part of an innovative project. The successful candidate will be pivotal in collecting and analyzing agricultural data to enhance sustainable practices, with a robust support system for professional development and wellbeing.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working options

Wellbeing support

Pension schemes

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant subject area such as Biological Science, Food Science, or Agriculture.
• Experience in data collection related to agricultural and environmental systems.
• Knowledge of MRV protocols related to carbon, biodiversity, and soil health.

Responsibilities

• Assist in collection of farm-level data across Europe and the UK.
• Support team in developing and coordinating farm sustainable audits.
• Conduct cost-effective analyses of farming practices.

Skills

Data collection

Stakeholder engagement

Knowledge of MRV protocols

Collaboration

Education

Degree in Biological Science

Degree in Food Science

Degree in Agriculture

Job description

Job reference

25/112664

Date posted

30/06/2025

Application closing date

07/07/2025

Salary

£33,785 per annum.

Job category/type

Research

Attachments

Blank

Research Assistant - Sustainable Farming Systems

Job description

This exciting position will allow the successful candidate to join the Institute for Global Food’s Security’s Innovation team. The postholder will work on a newly funded project Dairy+, funded by a KIC (Knowledge and Innovation Community part of Horizon Europe) named EIT Food. They will assist in the collection of farm-level data across multiplecountries across Europe as well as the United Kingdom (UK). This will include the collection of data related to carbon, biodiversity, soil health, and water quality, as well as engaging with farmers and stakeholders. Responsibilities also include supporting the wider team in developing and coordinating farm sustainable audits, creating training materials, and delivering knowledge exchange activities to scale up sustainable practices. In addition, you will support the team in conducting cost-effective analyses of farming practices to identify the environmental and economic feasibility of measures for specific farmers. You’ll work alongside the project lead, as well as collaborate with researchers and policymakers to optimise farming strategies and quantify the impacts on greenhouse gas emissions, sustainability and economic viability.

About the person:

The successful must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Have a Degree in a relevant subject area e.g., Biological Science, Food Science, Agriculture or related subject.
• Experience of data collection in related to agricultural and/or environmental systems.
• Relevant experience of working with stakeholders and industry.
• Knowledge of MRV protocols and associated tools in relation to carbon, biodiversity, soil health and water quality.
• Experience of working collaboratively with partners, both academic and non-academic.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information.

Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

What we offer:

Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more athttps://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/pay-reward-and-benefits/.

Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.

For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visitwww.qub.ac.uk/diversity.

If you are an international applicant and don't already hold a visa that permits you to take up the role you are applying for, please use the information provided on our website to self-assess whether the University is likely to be able to support a visa application -http://go.qub.ac.uk/internationalstaffsupport.

Candidate Information