Farmer-led Innovation Researcher

Location: Bristol, Edinburgh, or home-based

About our Organisation

The Soil Association, formed in 1946, is the only UK charity which works across the spectrum of human health, the environment and animal welfare. That’s because we cannot tackle these issues in isolation. We campaign for change, we support farming innovation, we serve healthy food in communities, we support and grow the organic market, and we protect forests. We couldn't do any of this without our supporters, partners, donors and dedicated staff. We make a difference in the world where it’s needed the most.

About the Opportunity

Through Innovative Farmers (IF), the Soil Association has established the UK’s leading farmer-led research programme, enabling farmers to trial practical solutions to real-world challenges while generating credible evidence that farmers can trust and use. Alongside facilitating over 170 farmer-led trials, the team has for more than a decade supported UK and EU applied research programmes supporting the implementation and upscaling of agroecology, positive animal welfare and sustainable farm woodlands management.

This new role will maximise the utilisation of existing farmer-led and applied research results and outcome data from the Soil Association, relevant partners and stakeholders and shape the future research agenda to support farmers more widely. The role exists to build a more coherent and influential body of research evidence generated through farmer-led research, strengthens scientific rigour of farmer-led research and broadens dissemination of results to farmers, researchers and the supply chain to support the wider adoption of agroecological practices.

Responsibilities

• Maximise utilisation of existing farmer-led and applied research results and outcome data.
• Shape the future research agenda to support farmers more widely.
• Build a coherent and influential body of research evidence generated through farmer-led research.
• Strengthen scientific rigour of farmer-led research.
• Broaden dissemination of results to farmers, researchers, and the supply chain.

Requirements

• Excellent understanding of organic and agroecological farming principles and practices.
• Significant experience designing and delivering farmer-led or applied research projects.
• Substantial experience working directly with farmers on research projects.
• Experience using and interpreting non-academic outcome data to demonstrate trial results and wider learning.
• Valid UK driving license and access to a vehicle to reach remote field sites.

Benefits

• 27 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days with length of service plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time).
• Pension scheme with ethical investment options and employer contribution increasing with length of service.
• Free membership of the Soil Association and discounts on organic produce.
• Volunteer days to give back to the local community or support green initiatives.
• Family-friendly policies and flexible working.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Sociable and engaging workplace of professionals that share a passion for healthy, sustainable lifestyle and produce.

Pay

£45,000 to £46,000 per annum.

Schedule

• 28 hours (0.8 FTE) or 35 hours (1 FTE) per week.
• Fixed-term contract until September 2028.