Field trials officer

Field trials officers play a key role in making large-scale scientific research happen within the agriculture sector

As a field trials officer, you'll develop and manage agricultural research trials in the field or laboratory. You'll plan and monitor the effects of experiments on animals and plants and may be involved with the entire process, or just one particular stage of the research procedure.

You will be responsible for the facilities and equipment used, making sure the trial is conducted in a safe environment, that the experiments run smoothly and that all protocols are met.

You'll work closely with scientists to match their requirements with the trial site or laboratory and may also assist in marketing the trials.

The results of research trials are used to inform development decisions in agriculture, as well as to determine product safety and inform sales information. You may need to communicate your findings in a detailed report or presentation.

Responsibilities

As a field trials officer, you'll need to:

• plan, prepare and organise trials, either on-site or in the laboratory
• write research proposals
• monitor field conditions in close detail
• apply chemicals to trials
• design and develop experiments
• undertake detailed statistical planning
• balance the demands of new experiment designs with site limitations
• gather and accurately record data
• record and process results, using specialist software such as Farmade and GenStat
• analyse, write and present reports
• liaise with technical development staff at all levels
• conduct discussions with research staff
• meet with clients and adapt your work to suit their requirements
• negotiate trials requirements with students in educational establishments
• help undertake demonstrations and presentations for commercial clients
• deal with a range of paperwork
• ensure that work adheres to government legislation
• work to a high level of confidentiality and protocol
• oversee the running of research sites, from effective budget management to maintaining site buildings and equipment
• employ and manage staff
• coordinate audit trails and accompany visiting auditors
• project-manage research
• give specialist advice and information to clients and colleagues.

Salary

• Salaries for field trials officers start in the region of £18,000 to £24,000 depending on your qualifications and relevant experience.
• Once you've been working for two or three years in the role, salaries can rise to around £30,000.
• With further experience, working at a more senior level, you could be earning £45,000.

Salaries may include benefits such as a pension, private insurance, continuing professional development (CPD) registration and a car.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You'll typically work 37 to 40 hours a week, with overtime being occasionally necessary, such as in sowing and harvesting periods.

Larger organisations provide flexible working schemes, although you may be required to work some set hours at certain times of the year.

What to expect

• The job involves mainly fieldwork in summer and office or laboratory work in winter, although there may be a combination of both throughout the year in some posts meaning you could be working outside in all weathers.
• The job is based on enabling communication between the field and the scientist or customer, so meetings and consultations with a range of people regularly form part of the working cycle.
• The agricultural industry is tightly regulated meaning that paperwork and protocol checks are a feature of the role, particularly at higher levels. Company-level clients have their own protocols, which also have to be adhered to.
• The role is often physically demanding and may involve using farm machinery. Resilience, versatility and a hands-on approach are needed to cope with any setbacks, for example, adverse weather conditions.
• Travel within the working day is frequently needed and overnight absence from home may sometimes be required, particularly in the summertime.

Qualifications

You'll typically need a degree to become a field trials officer. Relevant subjects which may be helpful include:

• agriculture
• biology or biological science
• biotechnology
• botany and plant science
• crop science
• environmental sciences
• genetics
• horticulture.

You'll also be required to hold PA1 and PA2 qualifications, which evidence your competence in the safe use of pesticides.

A relevant degree that includes a placement year in industry or other vocational element can be extremely helpful. If the subject of your degree thesis is relevant, it will also strengthen your applications.

Entry is restricted with an HND/foundation degree only, as the scientific basis of an agriculture or plant science degree is required. HNDs and foundation degrees in agriculture may be considered for posts at technician level, if you want to build your industry experience.

It may be easier to work your way up from technician level or from a field trials assistant role to more senior levels than to enter directly at a field trials officer level. This is particularly true in large research institutions where staff turnover is low, although this route may take more time. Even if you enter at a lower level, it's likely you'll still be required to have a degree to progress to the role of field trials officer.

Although a pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not essential, a Masters degree in agriculture, crop protection or plant science can be helpful, especially in areas that are particularly competitive. Relevant Masters or PhDs may also be required for entry to more senior posts.

Search postgraduate courses in agriculture.

Skills

As a field trials officer you'll need to have:

• a knowledge of the science-based agronomy of major UK crops
• generic business knowledge and principles
• strong written and communication skills
• a good level of IT literacy, because statistical information plays a key role in decision making
• physical and mental stamina
• good organisational skills
• time-management skills
• enthusiasm for the work
• a driving licence - needed for most posts.

The majority of posts also require trials officers to have the BASIS certificate in crop protection. Employers may support new graduates in working towards this professional qualification. Membership of BASIS also provides professional recognition of your skills and interests.

Work experience

Practical experience in farming, agriculture, field trials or plant breeding is helpful to show that you have an interest in and commitment to the sector. In some cases, if you haven't got a relevant degree, it may be essential.

Your degree may have included a placement year which as well as giving you some relevant experience, also helps you to build useful contacts for potential future jobs.

If you didn't complete a placement, you can look for vacation work or an internship elsewhere, such as with a plant breeding company/laboratory or with an agricultural or environmental consultancy. Many companies take students over the summer, especially during harvesting. Posts are usually advertised on individual company websites.

You can also make speculative applications to local farms to ask if they have work opportunities. Anything dealing with different types of machinery and a variety of crops will be useful. Also research online as some larger farms have structured work experience schemes and may provide accommodation while you’re working there.

If you can find any opportunity to get involved in field trials this will be highly relevant and may provide you with useful contacts within the agricultural industry.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

This is a niche area of employment and competition for vacancies can be strong. However there are opportunities for those with the right degree and experience.

Typical employers include public research institutes and their associated research centres, such as:

• ADAS
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
• Harper Adams University
• The James Hutton Institute
• National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB)
• Rothamsted Research
• Scotland's Rural College (SRUC)

In the private sector, opportunities exist with:

• environmental research consultancies
• companies that develop new crops
• specialist companies that provide trial development and analysis services for the farming sector
• producers of chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers
• pharmaceutical producers
• food production and processing companies.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Farmers Weekly
• Jobs in Agriculture - Farmers Guardian
• Nature Careers - includes international jobs
• NewScientist Jobs

Specialist agricultural recruitment consultants such as Agricultural Recruitment Specialists and De Lacy Executive handle vacancies.

You can get useful careers and industry information from the Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC) and the Cereals Event. Both may also help to build industry contacts.

Professional development

Training is mainly gained on the job, often with the support of more experienced colleagues. Some employers provide in-house training in areas such as report writing and presentation and communication skills.

Training in the use of specialist statistics software such as Farmade and GenStat is increasingly important, as you'll need to provide evidence to justify research results to your clients.

You may also be trained in key practical skills, such as:

• handling machinery
• first aid
• health and safety procedures
• laboratory techniques.

Knowledge of safe working practices and the ability to prevent adverse effects on plants and wildlife in trial areas is essential. As each project varies, you'll be constantly learning new techniques.

It's vital that you continually update your knowledge and skills as part of your CPD. This is particularly important as your work is based in constantly evolving sectors, with ongoing development in research methods and legislation.

You can choose to join the professional register with BASIS. This helps you to demonstrate that you have competency and up to date experience in the agriculture, horticulture and amenity pesticide sectors and it can aid career progression.

To remain on the register you'll need to carry out CPD activities to keep up to date with environmental issues. BASIS has events, courses, an online learning classroom and podcasts that can all provide CPD opportunities.

If you're working in the fertiliser industry you'll need to complete the Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme (FACTS). This is also useful for general career development.

Career prospects

It's usual to progress from a field trials assistant, or assistant agronomist, to working as a field trials officer. From here, you can progress further into the role of head of field trials, field trials manager or agronomist.

After this, career development is usually internal, away from trials work and into an executive role.

In industry, with experience, it's possible to move into a position of greater responsibility within a trials company - possibly within management, or into sales or marketing in the UK or overseas.