Job Description

Details

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Reference number

430544

Salary

37,000 - 41,000
37,000 - 41,000 per annum, depending on experience
GBP

Job grade

Other

Contract type

Fixed term

Length of employment

August 2026

Business area

Crop Health & IPM

Type of role

Other

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Coventry

About the job

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Job summary

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.


Responsible for direct management of the research programme within Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Cereal and Oilseeds, this role includes activities relating to the control of pests, weeds, and diseases, from inception to report by liaison with levy payers and other key stakeholders. It also supports the strategic lead for the sector. We are therefore looking for specific technical knowledge in IPM, especially in the areas of disease and weed control, accompanied by post-graduate research experience or expertise.


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.

Job description

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

Person specification

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

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We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work, so we have a great mix of benefits and opportunities to give you the recognition you deserve:

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 - this gives you a huge number of online discounts and savings


Please note if you are joining us on a Secondment your current terms and conditions will remain

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

To apply, simply upload your CV and Cover Letter via our careers portal by clicking the 'Apply' button on this page. Our hiring managers will review your application, and we'll be in touch with the outcome shortly after the closing date.


Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial interview via MS Teams. If successful, a second-stage face-to-face interview will be held at our HQ in Coventry, Warwickshire, following our competency-based framework.


Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications.



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:


UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

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Job contact :

Name : Recruitment Team Email : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk Telephone : 02476 935722
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Recruitment team

Email : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles of the Civil Service, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the Head of HR via email: hr@ahdb.org.uk