Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Regenerative Agriculture

OverviewThe King’s Foundation is seeking an exceptional early-career researcher to lead its academic activities in regenerative farming and agricultural transitions. This new post is designed to offer a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of academic research and agricultural policy, developing and disseminating new knowledge for networks of UK farmers. The Foundation operates the MacRoberts Farming and Rural Skills Centre on the Dumfries House estate in Ayrshire, Scotland. The MacRoberts Centre has strong links to farms and schools in the local area, and acts as a hub for education and discussion of farming issues within the wider Borders region.

Base pay range

The Role:

The candidate will lead the design and execution of a research pilot project with partner farms, focusing on pathways to regenerative agriculture. The role centers on working with six partner farms on distinct aspects of agricultural transition, aiming to develop a knowledge cluster as a model for transition in the UK and internationally. This builds on an existing workshop series that connects farmers, researchers and industry professionals to discuss regenerative farming transitions. The role will be central to the development of regenerative agriculture research at The King’s Foundation, embedding the candidate’s research across all project stages and disseminating findings through existing and new channels. The role will involve guiding a doctoral project and establishing partnerships with universities and external organizations, including work with visiting researchers on related themes such as traditional craft and sustainable textiles.

Key Tasks

Specific Duties will include:

Lead the design and setup of a new pilot project with partner farms.

Develop and conduct an individual research project within the wider pilot project.

Design research projects with existing and new partner universities and institutions.

Produce high-quality academic outputs and contribute to grant applications.

Contribute to The Foundation’s wider research and publication programme.

Events, Dissemination and Community Engagement

Lead the planning and delivery of academic and public-facing events, including conferences, symposia, workshops, and seminars.

Translate research into accessible formats for non-academic audiences.

Organise and support community engagement initiatives.

Represent the Foundation at relevant academic, industry and community events.

Knowledge Sharing and Learning Delivery

Supervise PhD students on collaborative programmes where appropriate.

Support the development and delivery of learning opportunities such as community workshops, practitioner training sessions, short courses and summer schools, and teaching at Master’s level where appropriate.

Contribute to building local capacity by sharing knowledge in practical and engaging ways, supporting wider community understanding of regenerative agriculture topics.

General

Contribute to efficient management and administration by performing duties as allocated and otherwise as directed.

Work collaboratively across departments and with external partners.

The Foundation works with a wide range of partners, and tasks may change and adapt over the life of a project. All staff are expected to work flexibly when needed, including undertaking tasks not specifically covered in the Job Description.

Person Specification

The essential skills, knowledge and experience required are:

Knowledge

A strong knowledge of a key element of sustainable/regenerative farming, practice-led research and agricultural transitions evidenced by a PhD-level degree in a relevant subject area.

A solid understanding of the challenges faced by farmers in the UK today.

A broad subject background enabling wider contribution to research and teaching programmes across The Foundation.

Interest in the philosophy and practice of The King’s Foundation.

Skills

Ability to develop, plan and manage a range of high-quality research activities.

Demonstrated capability for independent research and academic writing.

Evidence of ability to disseminate new research to a range of audiences.

Effective communication of new and complex information, both verbally and in writing, engaging target audiences.

Ability to discuss and advise on others’ research and dissemination, and to dovetail research for coherent outcomes.

Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.

Evidence of ability to manage time and meet deadlines.

Confidence to represent the organisation and manage a range of partners.

Ability to work proactively and take initiative in developing and managing workload.

Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

Ability to work with interdisciplinary teams and external partners.

Qualifications

PhD or near award of a PhD in a subject relevant to regenerative agriculture or farming transitions.

Early-career researchers normally within ten years of the award of a doctorate.

Previous Experience

Research in regenerative architecture or research with farmers and farming communities.

Experience in planning academic or public events.

Engagement with professional or scholarly communities.

Management of research applications and programmes is desirable.

Personal Qualities

Commitment to The King’s Foundation’s equal opportunity policy and to working with colleagues and students of all cultures and backgrounds.

Interest in related fields such as sustainability, sustainable design, traditional building and craft, architecture and urbanism, community engagement, and related areas.

Other:

The post will be based at 19-22 Charlotte Road, London, EC2A 3SG with some travel. There is scope to be based at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland with regular time in London.

Hybrid working may be possible; periodic travel in the UK or internationally may be required.

Working hours: 37.5 hours per week.

You must have the legal right to work in the UK.

This post is a regulated activity; any offer will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure check with Disclosure Scotland.

Applications:

Please submit a cover letter and CV (one A4 page maximum each) to Gordon Watson at hr.recruitment@kings-foundation.org and request an application form.

Closing date for applications:

Monday 6 October 2025 at 5pm

Seniority level

Not Applicable

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Research

Education

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