Grassland placement opportunity with AHDB

AHDB and the Stapledon Memorial Trust are working together to award a bursary to someone looking for work experience in either applied grassland management for ruminants or grassland research with a focus on ruminants.

This is a unique opportunity to gain invaluable experience from industry experts, as you’ll be mentored by AHDB staff who are on the frontline of working with and for our levy payers.

The placement will last for approximately 2–3 months, with some flexibility, and funding will be provided by the Stapledon Memorial Trust.

We welcome applications from graduates with a relevant agricultural qualification and/or anyone already working in the industry who has a specific interest in agricultural grassland management or research.

You must be able to demonstrate: 

• Why you want to apply, what you can bring to the placement and what you’ll take away from it 

• How you’ll use the knowledge and experience gained to benefit the beef and lamb industries, e.g. through a career in working with the sector, or  

• How a grassland research project has relevance to the Stapledon Memorial Trust and AHDB’s work, for example in improving grassland management for livestock health, welfare and environmental performance

In addition, you will ideally have experience of working in the beef and/or sheep sector.

Due to the amount of travel required, a full UK driving licence is also required.

The value of the bursary is up to £9,000.

It will cover daily living expenses plus exceptional travel and accommodation expenses as required during the placement, as well as any PPE and computer equipment needed.

• You will need to travel throughout England, spending 2–3 days per week in different parts of the country
• An element of online meetings and working from home will be required
• You will not be based at AHDB’s headquarters (Coventry), but you may need to attend meetings on the site
• The opportunity is for work experience and professional mentorship from AHDB
• The placement is not an offer of employment at AHDB or the Stapledon Memorial Trust 

To apply for the bursary, submit your CV and a covering letter by midnight on 15 June 2026.

Your CV should be no longer than three pages and should include details of your experience, education and qualifications.

Your covering letter should be no longer than 1,000 words and should explain why you want this placement and how you will use it to fulfil the above criteria.

Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview as part of the selection process. 

There will be an initial online interview, followed by an in-person interview for applicants who reach round two.

References will be required as part of the application process.

If you’d like more information about the bursary or if you have any questions, contact Lynn Briggs, AHDB Senior Engagement Manager (Beef & Lamb), or Mike Steele, Secretary to the Stapledon Memorial Trust, via: 

Lynn Briggs

E: lynn.briggs@ahdb.org.uk  

M: 07710 203088

Mike Steele

E: mike.steelesmt@yahoo.com 

The Stapledon Memorial Trust provides awards to both individuals and organisations on all aspects of grassland use, including the production, amenity, social, economic and environmental implications.