We're pulling agricultural solutions from 2075 into today. Farmers and our planet can't wait 50 years for inevitable innovations - we need people who can collapse that timeline.
Our Mission
Field Zero is an applied research group building agricultural solutions for 2040 and beyond. We're a small team working on changes that farming will need in 15+ years, not next season. We work directly with farmers to understand future challenges, build potential solutions, and rigorously test our ideas. Most will fail - that's part of our process. We're not interested in incremental improvements. We're here to develop fundamental changes in how farming works, even if they seem impractical today.
The Role
You'll work at the intersection of biological systems and practical agriculture, translating theoretical understanding into real-world solutions. This role focuses on the living components of agricultural systems - plants, soil biology, and their interactions. You'll bridge the gap between pure biological science and practical agricultural applications.
We're looking for someone who can think systematically about biological processes while maintaining the pragmatism to turn that knowledge into working solutions. You might come from plant science, microbiology, synthetic biology, or another field entirely - what matters is your ability to understand and work with complex biological systems.
Core Expertise
You have substantial experience with biological systems, demonstrated through:
- Deep understanding of plant biology, soil microbiomes, or related biological systems
- Experience designing and running biological experiments
- Ability to analyze complex biological data and derive actionable insights
- Understanding of how biological systems interact with agricultural practices
- Track record of translating biological insights into practical applications
The complexity of biological systems requires both theoretical understanding and practical experience. We need someone who can navigate this complexity while maintaining focus on real-world applications.
Your Approach
You combine biological expertise with:
- Systems thinking that connects molecular-level processes to field-level outcomes
- Ability to design experiments that bridge lab and field environments
- Comfort working across scales - from microbes to whole farming systems
- Strong analytical capabilities and experimental rigor
- Skill in communicating complex biological concepts to diverse audiences
- Ability to prototype and test biological interventions in real-world conditions
What Sets Exceptional Candidates Apart
We especially value candidates who have:
- Experience developing practical applications from biological insights
- Track record of working across traditional disciplinary boundaries
- Demonstrated ability to simplify complex biological systems without losing crucial nuance
- History of questioning established biological paradigms
- Passion for transforming how we work with biological systems in agriculture
Our Environment & Approach
We operate completely free of bureaucracy. No endless meetings, no approval chains, no death by process. Just the freedom to experiment, build, and solve problems. We follow Ben Rich's principle that "the fastest path to good solutions is through aggressive elimination of bad ones." This means:
- Rapid prototyping of biological interventions
- Immediate testing in real agricultural conditions
- Quick abandonment of non-viable approaches
- Focus on practical outcomes over theoretical elegance
- Continuous iteration between lab and field
You'll spend one day per week on self-directed projects aligned with our mission - whether that's exploring new biological mechanisms, testing novel interventions, or developing innovative monitoring systems.
Location & Resources
Based in Cambridge, you'll have:
- Full molecular and microbiological laboratory facilities
- Advanced imaging and analytical equipment
- Field testing sites and greenhouse facilities
- Direct connection to farming communities
- Access to world-class agricultural research infrastructure
- Training and conference budgets
- Flexible workspace designed for focused work
- Competitive compensation and customizable benefits
Structure & Recognition
We maintain a flat organization where success isn't measured in promotions but in:
- Successful prototypes and solutions
- Patents and publications
- Direct impact on agricultural systems
- Real-world implementation of your innovations
A Note on Our Profile
We maintain a low profile intentionally. While you might not find much about us online, we are:
- Fully funded with strong financial backing
- Offering secure, guaranteed compensation
- Equipped with established facilities and resources
- Building for the long term, with the resources to do it right
Our discretion is about maintaining focus, not hiding instability.
Note:
If you understand biological systems deeply but gained that knowledge through an unconventional route, we especially encourage you to apply. We value demonstrated ability over credentials. What matters is your capacity to understand, work with, and transform complex biological systems in agriculture.