Farm Trials Assistant

About Us 

We’re a full-scale, energy-saving, B-Corp certified, sustainably powered vertical farm. We’re on a mission to transform the farming system forever, so that everyone can afford tasty nutritious food, that doesn’t cost the earth. Literally.  

In other words: we boldly grow where no one has grown before. Our state-of-the-art salad leaves are made possible by an incredible team of rocket scientists (see what we did there?), engineers, leaf whisperers, and a root network of fabulous people. Which brings us onto The Leaf Lab…  

 

The Leaf Lab and Pepperness 

The Leaf Lab, located just outside Cambridge, is home to our Innovative R&D activities. At the Leaf Lab, we are on a mission to constantly improve how we grow plants for existing customers alongside identifying ways to grow new varieties that solve genuine customer problems. We look at all elements of the production process, from varietal screening, seed treatments and substrate optimisation through to how we handle our products after they have been packed. We ensure we give our customers the best possible outcomes with the lowest environmental impact. 

Pepperness is our main production site, where the majority of this role will be based. It is where we produce our salad leaves in our highly controlled growing chambers and where we leverage our expertise and experience in controlled environment agronomy. It is also the place where we collect data from the operational ‘living lab’ and run near-to-implementation trials on technology intended to improve growing and operational efficiency or validate assumptions about different ways of operating our systems.  

 

The Leaf Lab team has the following values: 

Explore: Finding the world’s best plants 

We believe the world's best plants are the key to unlocking a sustainable and vibrant future. We want to find the best way to grow plants that solve real-world problems, improve lives, and protect our planet. 

 

Innovate: Leading the world in plant science 

At the forefront of plant science, our team is dedicated to developing innovative solutions that harness the power of the world's most exceptional plants. Join us as we find innovative and creative ways to lead the way in sustainable agriculture, creating a brighter future for our planet and its inhabitants. 

Collaborate: Changing the world through teamwork 

To go fast, you go alone; to go far, you go together. To do great things, you need to work with great people and great teamwork is at the core. We value the ability to work independently rather than being a team player. 

 

Create: Bringing to life the future of growing 

We are committed to delivering innovative solutions. We take ground-breaking ideas and turn them into real-world solutions, revolutionising the future of growing. 

Role 

This role is focused on implementing cross-departmental trials at our production site ‘Pepperness’ (farm) near Sandwich, Kent under the guidance of the Head of Crop Optimisation and working under the supervision of the Farm Trials Coordinator. This is an opportunity to have a significant impact on the future of crop production by delivering world-class applied research and development in the exciting field of vertical farming.  

You will work with the grower manager and the agronomy team, NPD team, operations and technical teams to ensure efficient delivery of trials in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. We’re looking for somebody with exceptional enthusiasm and a can-do attitude, with experience in, or knowledge of horticultural or food production environments, who can help us on our mission to be the best controlled environment growers in the world.  

On a given day, you will spend time setting up trial resources, sometimes with external partners, collecting data, keeping accurate trial records and maintaining scientific equipment and resources. You will also be occasionally collecting data in our growing chambers – so we hope you are happy at heights! 

Requirements

Requirements 

• You may have experience working in commercial horticultural or food science R&D, technical or trials teams or have an BSc or above horticulture, agriculture or food science or an advanced technical diploma in horticulture or equivalent with experience.  

• You have some knowledge of the operational components of commercial plant and food production environments. 

• You are confident in working with various machinery and equipment and are able to work safely, according to the relevant SOPs and risk assessments and food safety guidance.  

• You are familiar with the principles of trial design and good data collection practices. 

• You have familiarity with MS Office 365 programs. 

• You have an eagerness to learn. 

• You are comfortable with some manual handling and physical work.  

• You have a calm and patient manner, a flexible mindset and can negotiate competing demands, whilst working in an often fast-paced environment. 

• You enjoy working in an environment where attention to detail is important. 

Responsibilities 

• You will assist in trials delivery on the farm and provide support to other R&D activities.   

• You help implement proof-of-concept, variety, agronomic and post-harvest trials. 

• You will use scientific and technical kit as well as your experience to take readings that track plant and product performance throughout the product life cycle.  

• You will help with the general upkeep, calibration and maintenance of scientific and technical equipment. 

• You will collect samples of various system inputs and outputs for internal and external analysis.   

• You will keep accurate records of work completed. 

• You will work under the daily supervision of the Farm Trials Coordinator, with direction from the Head of Crop Optimisation. 

• Working collaboratively to ensure that defects and non-conformities are addressed quickly, safely and efficiently. 

• You will adhere to all health and safety protocols and contribute to a good safety culture within the team. 

• You will help to maintain a food safety culture and awareness. 

• Some limited weekend working may be required.  

• You may occasionally be required to assist the growing and agronomy, technical or project teams with specific data gathering activities. 

Benefits

What’s in it for you? 

• Be part of a great business – you will be in one of the fastest growing and most exciting businesses in the vertical farming industry. 

• Be part of a great team – you will work with and learn from a friendly, smart, growing, and passionate team who care about each other and the business. 

• Grow yourself – a chance to develop yourself and make the role your own as the business and team builds, broadening your knowledge and capabilities to push you to the next level. 

• Share our passion for driving change for good – sustainable production is at the heart of what we do and we’re on the journey to B Corp certification. 

Package 

• Competitive base salary. 

• Annual bonus based on company, team, and personal performance. 

• 25 days holiday.  

• Group Income Protection. 

• Employee Health Insurance provided by Aviva. 

• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave. 

• Pension (5% employer contribution). 

• Employee benefits programme with Bravo Benefits. 

• Cycle to Work Scheme. 

• Paid volunteering days. 

 

Our team is the most valuable part of our business – our success is defined by the hard-working, brilliant and enthusiastic people we employ.  Our recruitment process and employment decisions are based on our business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, colour, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or disability status. We don’t tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics and we encourage all suitable applicants to apply for open positions.