Research Assistant

The purpose of this role is to manage greenhouse and field trials as part of a DEFRA/Innovate UKfunded 'NURSE - Nutrient Utilisation and Recovery though Supercritical Extraction' project until itscompletion on 31st Dec 2027.The successful candidate will be working within the research team at the RAU and specifically in theAgricultural Science and Practice department, which conducts high impact, applied research that isrelevant to UK agriculture and helps support a transition to regenerative practices. The NURSE projectaims to develop an advanced hydrothermal technology to process livestock wastes to recover thevaluable nutrients they contain, producing low emissions, non-leaching fertiliser, while separating thecarbon for permanent sequestration. This will enable farmers to optimise the use of nutrients whilereducing costs, waste, and environmental impacts., 1. Support the establishment and management of greenhouse and field trials following the project design and protocols, which may necessitate lone working on farm/laboratory and competency in health & safety.2. Safely transport samples between project partners (RAU and Cranfield University) and farms for analysis following prescribed SOPs.3. Manage the preparation, analysis and safe storage of collected samples in the laboratories according to prescribed SOPs and with support from the laboratory staff.4. Manage crop and soil analysis and data collection on both greenhouse and field trials according to prescribed SOPs and with support from the laboratory staff.5. Manage the compilation and organisation of trial data and results using appropriate software.6. Contribute to the statistical analysis of results with support and guidance from academic partners.7. Take part in monthly project meetings and planning sessions with project partners as required.8. Engage and effectively communicate with the project team and laboratory staff in a professional and collegiate manner.9. Present findings to the project partners with support and guidance from academic partners.10. Opportunity to present results from project at meetings, conferences and dissemination events and support academic partners with writing up results for publication.11. Contribute to the creation of material and resources for dissemination events.12. Support the project coordinator in the delivery of other related tasks, including reporting to funders.General responsibilities:

• The University is committed to equality of opportunity. All staff are required to comply with
current legislation, University policies and good practice guidance.
• All staff are required to act in a way that safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and
vulnerable adults at all times. The post holder must be familiar with and adhere to appropriate safeguarding policies and guidance and participate in related mandatory/statutory training. Managers have a responsibility to ensure their team members understand their individual responsibilities with regard to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
• All staff are required to participate in the University appraisal process and should ensure they
are familiar with the process and plan time to prepare for their appraisal. Following the appraisal, staff are expected to undertake in any necessary learning and development and work towards the objectives that have been set.
• The University expects staff to attend any training designated as mandatory and to undertake
learning and development activities to support their role. Managers must facilitate learning and development within their teams.
• It is a condition of employment that staff will not disclose any information obtained in the
course of their duties other than to those entitled to receive it. The post holder must ensure that the confidentiality of personal data remains secure and that restricted information or highly restricted information to which they have access remains confidential during and after 2Reviewed August 2026 their employment at Royal Agricultural University. All staff must undergo appropriate data protection training as required.
• All absence from work must be reported in accordance with the University's absence
procedures and recorded on iTrent.
• The University acknowledges its responsibility to provide a safe, smoke free environment, to
its employees, service users and visitors. It is the policy of the University not to allow smoking on University premises other than in specifically designated areas.University ValuesAs a University we have chosen five values to underpin our learning community. These are the valueswhich we will all work by and for which we want the RAU to be known. We are:
• Collaborative - we believe in the power of working together. We are stronger as a community
of practice - inspiring each other, identifying shared goals, and providing reciprocal support leads to greater success.
• Open-Minded - we are receptive to new ideas and we value the diversity of experiences and
skills. We are committed to listening to everyone across the RAU community.
• Resourceful - we adopt creative approaches to achieve our goals while setting higher
standards, promoting professionalism and sustainability.
• Responsible - individually and collectively we take accountability for our actions working with
integrity to achieve the highest ethical standards.
• Inclusive - we acknowledge the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals and are
committed to maintaining an environment that seeks to eliminate all forms of discrimination and respects diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences.

BSc or equivalent qualification in agricultural sciences, biology, Essential Application form plant, soil sciences or related subject Postgraduate qualification in scientifically relevant subject Desirable Application form Knowledge, Experience and Skills: Knowledge of basic nutrient, crop and soil biology Essential Application form, Interview Experience conducting crop and/or soil analysis in a laboratory Essential Application form, setting Interview, Requirements or A) Application Form The post holder must be able to demonstrate: Desirable B) Interview C) Presentation Experience conducting field and/or greenhouse trials Essential Application form, Interview Excellent communication skills with a track record of working Application form, with a range of stakeholders Essential Interview, Presentation Willingness and ability to travel occasionally to partner sites to Desirable Application form collect samples. and Interview Advanced digital skills for organising and processing data Essential Application form and Interview Ability to work in a safe and flexible manner in challenging Desirable Application form environments and Interview Experience using statistical analysis software packages Desirable Application form and Interview Experience working on farms Desirable Application form and Interview

Please note: it is the university's policy to appoint new staff at the base of the pay scale, unless there are demonstrable exceptional skills and experience the candidate brings with them. Relationships with: Internal - Senior academics in Agricultural Science and Practice and RAU laboratory team. External - external academic and commercial project partners.We have a number of different ways to work flexibly, so at your interview feel free to talk about whatflexibility means to you. Due to the part-time nature of the role, the majority of hours worked willneed to be Mon-Fri in working hours.