Research & Development Associate

NES Group Ltd; Jealott's Hill; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global agricultural technology company in the UK is hiring a Research & Development Associate. In this hands-on role, you will support the discovery and development of novel herbicides. Responsibilities include carrying out experimental work in the glasshouse, maintaining plants, assessing herbicidal effects, and supporting a high-throughput workflow. Ideal candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and a strong attention to detail. This role offers a platform for growth in agricultural innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Good grounding in plant biology; understanding of weed control or agronomy is a bonus.
• Basic laboratory skills and confidence using Microsoft Office.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Detail-focused approach and ability to work independently and in a team.
• Proactive mindset with solid time-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out experimental work independently and as part of a team.
• Maintaining plants under glasshouse conditions and handling disposal.
• Accurately assessing plants for herbicidal effects.
• Supporting a high-throughput workflow.
• Keeping records and data up to date.
• Contributing to training and process improvements.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Environmental Science, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

NES Fircroft are hiring a Research & Development Associate on behalf of our client, a leading global agricultural technology company.

If you are passionate about plant biology and curious about how new herbicides are developed, then this is the role for you!

You will join the Weed Control Research Biology Team, where you'll play a hands‑on role supporting the discovery and development of novel herbicidal active ingredients. In this role, you'll work in the glasshouse to spray, maintain, and assess a wide range of plant species. Your work will directly support research projects by generating accurate, high‑quality biological data that drives real scientific decisions.

What you'll be doing:

• Carrying out experimental work independently and as part of a close‑knit team using both established and innovative weed screening methods.
• Maintaining plants under glasshouse conditions throughout the testing period and handling disposal after completion.
• Accurately assessing plants for herbicidal effects and recording results in internal databases.
• Taking accountability for precision, accuracy, and efficiency in all tasks.
• Supporting a high‑throughput workflow and helping to identify issues or non‑conformities.
• Keeping records and data fully up to date.
• Contributing to training and continuously looking for ways to improve processes.

What you'll bring:

• A bachelor's degree in Biology, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• A good grounding in plant biology; any understanding of weed control or agronomy is a bonus.
• Basic laboratory skills and confidence using Microsoft Office.
• Strong organisational, analytical, and communication skills.
• A detail‑focused approach and the ability to work both independently and in a team.
• A proactive mindset, willingness to learn, and solid time‑management skills.

You’ll thrive here if:

• You pick up new tasks quickly and enjoy hands‑on experimental work.
• You take pride in producing accurate, consistent, high‑quality results.
• You value good working relationships and enjoy being part of a collaborative team.
• You’re comfortable with the physical elements of the role, including manual handling of plants, pots, troughs, and trolleys.

If you're looking to build your career in research biology and want to be part of a team contributing to real‑world agricultural innovation, this role offers a great platform to learn, develop, and make an impact.