Vacancy Information

Head of Statistics (Variety Evaluation)

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Location: Cambridgeshire
Closing date: 23 Feb 2025
Reference number: SV/A1379

Job details

Location: Cambridge, CB24 9NZ

Salary: £42,336 - £51,300 per annum (Senior Specialist Job Group), dependent on experience.
Contract: Permanent, full-time (37 hours per week, Monday to Friday). Part-time options available (minimum 30 hours per week).
Closing Date: 23 February 2025 with interviews being held on 10 March 2025

Ready to Shape the Future of Agriculture? Lead with Data. Influence Globally

At Niab, we are offering a career-defining opportunity to take the reins as Head of Statistics (Variety Evaluation)—a critical role at the intersection of agricultural science, policy, and innovation. If you’re an expert in statistical analysis with a passion for applying data to real-world agricultural challenges, this is your chance to lead, influence, and drive impact on both a national and international scale.

Why This Role?
• Influence Policy & Practice – Your work will directly shape government and industry decision-making in the UK and beyond.
• Lead a Skilled Team – Manage a small, highly capable statistics team, driving excellence in crop variety testing.
• Make an Impact – Play a pivotal role in tackling global issues like food security, climate change, and sustainable agriculture.
• Be the Expert – Represent Niab in national and international forums, engaging with policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders.

About the Role
This is a senior leadership position that ensures the integrity and excellence of crop trial data analysis—informing key statutory contracts and commercial projects. You’ll work with APHA, Defra, BSPB, and other major stakeholders to deliver cutting-edge statistical evaluations.

As part of this role, you will:
• Drive Innovation – Implement the latest statistical methodologies to advance crop evaluation.
• Engage with Stakeholders – Present findings and insights to policymakers, industry bodies, and researchers.
• Shape Strategy – Play a vital role in Niab’s leadership, influencing the future of agricultural data science.

This position has opened due to the planned retirement of the current postholder, and a structured handover will ensure you transition seamlessly into the role with full support and mentorship.

Location
The role is based at NIAB Park Farm, Histon, Cambridge, CB24 9NZ, 4 miles from Cambridge city centre. Free on-site parking and linked by cycle ways and regular buses to Cambridge city centre and railway station. Close to Junction 32 of A14, with easy access to M11, A10 and A11.

Cambridge Park Farm site https://www.Niab.com/about/locations/park-farm

Benefits include 25 days’ holiday plus public holidays and 3 days off during the Christmas period, flexible working, generous sick pay, attractive pension scheme, income protection, life assurance, employee discount scheme, free on-site parking and great colleagues.

ABOUT YOU
Essential requirements:
Ideally you will have:
• Degree in statistics or similar analytical background
• Competent and confident use of Microsoft Office including Sharepoint
• Competent in data management and analysis with statistical software: GenStat and R
• Excellent organisation skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience working in practical data analysis for academia or industry

Desirable requirements:
Ideally you will also have:
• Post-graduate qualification in applied statistics or with similar analytical background
• Knowledge of agricultural crops and plant testing systems within the UK
• Experience of analysis data from field experimentation or environmental monitoring
• Driving licence or access or independent means of transport to facilitate occasional travel to Niab or customer sites within Great Britain.

See full Job Description and detailed breakdown of the role, key responsibilities, and person specification.

About Niab
Niab is a leading crop science organisation, with research capabilities in plant genetics, agronomy, farming systems and data science. It has the largest national field trials capability, and strong research links with industry, government and academia. With headquarters in Cambridge and regional offices across the country, employing close to 400 people across the UK, NIAB provides scientific research, technical services and practical advice to improve the yield, efficiency and resilience of crop production across the arable, forage and horticulture sectors. NIAB is an Independent Research Organisation eligible for competitive UKRI funding calls. Research departments at NIAB’s sites in Cambridge and East Malling have a large programme of BBSRC grants. 

Interview Process

Interviews will be held on 10 March 2025. You will be required to give a presentation based on data provided by Niab to assess your analytical and communication skills.

Ready to take the next step? Apply now and become a driving force in the future of agricultural data science.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where diversity is celebrated. We actively encourage applications from individuals across all backgrounds and communities.

How to Apply
Visit our careers page at www.Niab.com/careers for more details and to submit your application. For informal enquiries, contact Margaret Wallace, Head of Agricultural Crops Characterisation ([email protected]).

Join us at Niab and shape the future of agriculture through innovative plant science!

Please note that following changes to Immigration Law in April 2024, this role does not generally qualify for a Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.  Candidates with independently held immigration permission would be considered.