Knowledge Exchange Manager

Job content

Overview Of Role

Rothamsted Research, in collaboration with AHDB, is looking for a dynamic and energetic individual with a good knowledge of science and farming to help facilitate opportunities to bring scientists and stakeholders together to exchange ideas, knowledge, and expertise to maximise the benefit of our research.

You will be a confident communicator, able to understand and interpret the impacts of the science being conducted at Rothamsted on the food and farming sector. You will work with stakeholders aligned to our strategic research interests primarily in arable production, with key focus areas include integrated pest and weed management and the sustainable intensification of arable systems to optimise ecosystem service and production benefits.

This is a fixed term position for two years in the first instance. As part of this role you will be employed by Rothamsted Research but will be seconded to AHDB for 50% of your time to help develop their Evidence for Farming Initiative. This initiative, based on the ‘What Works Network’, will provide robust evidence on sustainable farming practices. This role requires a well organised and methodical mind to build an organisational structure and evidence base, linking research evidence with practise.

This exciting and dynamic role would suit a proactive individual with an enthusiastic approach and excellent interpersonal skills. You will be comfortable operating at the interface of science and application and understand the need to deliver impact from research for the benefit of our stakeholders in aligned sectors.

This role is based at Rothamsted Research’s Harpenden campus in Hertfordshire but will require regular online and in-person collaboration with staff at AHDB’s headquarters at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, with additional travel to attend meetings and events offsite.

Internal Key Relationships: Reporting to the Stakeholder Engagement Manager, the KE manager will be a member of the Research, Innovation and Grants Office and will work closely with Harpenden-based academic staff as well as colleagues in the Science Innovation, Engagement and Partnerships Directorate.

External Key Relationships: Stakeholder Organisations e.g. LEAF, AHDB, Agricology, NFU;
Knowledge Exchange and Farming Networks.
Knowledge Exchange Partners and Collaborators

Main Activities

• Develop relationships with strategic external stakeholder organisations and facilitate engagement with them to generate suitable KE opportunities for Rothamsted scientists at Harpenden.
• Provide support to Institute Strategy Program (ISP) Leaders to identify suitable KE opportunities to help inform, translate, and maximise impact of current research for the benefit of farming and wider end-users.
• Assist with the development and implementation of the AHDB Evidence for Farming Initiative (EFI) – a tool to aid rapid decision-making, based on a robust evidence base

This role is for 37 hours per week and attracts a salary of £37,890 per annum, for a 2-year fixed term contract initially.

The role will close on 1st July and interviews are expected to take place in the week commencing the 26th July 2021.

To discuss this role please contact Melanie Wright, Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager, at melanie.wright@rothamsted.ac.uk. CVs sent by email will not be able to be taken forward as an application.

Outputs

About The Company

Established in 1843, Rothamsted Research is one of the UK’s leading Research Institutes delivering world class agricultural science. Our commitment to learning and development, equality and diversity as well as creating a positive work life balance, enable a welcoming environment for all prospective employees. We have an attractive benefits package including 25 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme and an attractive campus offering cultural and recreational activities. Rothamsted Research values its commitment to equality and diversity in its workforce and we particularly encourage applications from women, disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, as these groups are currently under-represented within the organisation.