Research and Development Scientist

Job Description

We’re on a mission to recover nutrients from waste, reusing them to help grow food. We are developing a waste-based crop nutrition product to reduce the amount of synthetic fertilisers used in UK agriculture. This role will join our current R&D scientist and engineers to help accelerate R&D on our product; trialling various bacterial additives, running trials and feeding into the development of a prototype manufacturing system.

You'll work with our partners including the University of the West of England, Royal Agricultural University and UK AgriTech Centre. Apply by emailing your CV and a short cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet this role, to hello@npkrecovery.com by January 2, 2025.

Role description

We are developing a product to reduce the amount of synthetic nitrogen used in UK agriculture. This role is key to moving us closer to that goal. We are looking for a collaborative biologist to bring a fresh perspective to our science and engineering team at a critical point in the research and development of our product. You will shape product development, design and implement trials and explore research opportunities to improve our product to ensure it meets environmental and market needs.

What you'll be doing:

• Contribute to the development of formulations to maximise their efficacy, designing trials that can explore and demonstrate performance and efficacy.
• Designing and delivering trials - from hypotheses to experimental setup and data collection, collaborating with external partners on trials as required. 
• Analysing data on the performance and efficacy of our products, including data cleansing, categorisation, management and visualisation.
• Undertaking desk-based research and product comparisons to benchmark product performance.
• Contribute to the ongoing research into nutrient recovery, supporting lab-based tasks, analysis and research as and when required.
• Undertaking research into the NPK ratios and spread rate for various crops and soil types.
• Managing risks when they become present. Undertaking the appropriate procedures for risk mitigation.
• Supporting our engineering team to set up rigs and experiments as required.
• Assist with laboratory equipment upkeep as and when required, including maintaining high Health and Safety standards.

Skills and experience

• Relevant degree or 3+ years industry experience in plant biology / agriculture / soil science / microbiology.
• Experience developing and running trials, including hypothesis development, data collection and analysis. Experience of translating research or trial outputs into next steps for a wider team would be advantageous.
• Understanding of or an interest in; plant biology and growth stages, crop health and nutrition, root-nutrient interactions.
• Knowledge of soil nutrient sampling, chlorophyll measurements and other metrics used to understand the effectiveness of a crop nutrition product.
• Willingness to learn and develop skills to fill knowledge gaps.
• Confident communicator who actively collaborates with people and is comfortable managing partnerships, sharing key information with external researchers as needed.
• Capable researcher with general laboratory experience.
• Logical thinking and problem solving to quickly detect and troubleshoot issues.
• Take the opportunity to engage in business development opportunities, including fundraising, as and when capacity allows.

Salary and benefits

• £30,000-£40,000 dependent on applicable candidate experience.
• 12 month fixed term contract, with extension dependent on funding.
• Flexible working hours, including caring responsibilities or school hours.
• Part-time and full-time hours considered.
• Budget for CPD and, for exceptional candidates, chartership.
• 20 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Company pension with option for salary sacrifice.
• Equity negotiable under EMI options scheme.
• We are based at FutureSpace Bristol, with a minimum of 3 days per week on site. Free parking, bike storage and showers are available.

Apply by emailing your CV and a short cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet this role, to hello@npkrecovery.com by January 2, 2025. If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact olivia@npkrecovery.com.