Location: Remote-first with offices in Milton Park, Abingdon. Initial onboarding will include some on-site time to collaborate with the team, then flexible arrangements based on your preferences and business need.
Salary: Circa £25,000 (based on 12-month contract)
We're seeking a UI/UX design student for a 3, 6 or 12-month placement (flexible start). This is a paid opportunity where you'll be a full member of our product team, gaining hands-on experience in a fast-growing startup on the bleeding edge of agtech.
Unlike typical corporate placements, you'll have real responsibility for features that ship to customers worldwide. This is an ideal opportunity for students who want to make a tangible impact whilst practicing product design in a fast-paced startup environment.
You'll be a full member of our product team, gaining hands-on experience in a fast-growing startup on the bleeding edge of agtech.
What we're looking for
Imagine if plants could tell growers exactly what they need - more nutrients here, less water there, watch out for stress in row five. That's what Gardin does. But raw data from plants isn't helpful unless growers can understand and act on it instantly. We need a designer-in-training who's excited to be that translator - someone who can take complex plant science and turn it into interfaces that feel obvious, even magical. If you want to help us make plant-driven growing not just possible but delightful, you're exactly who we're looking for.
More specifically, we're after someone who:
* Is currently studying for a degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science or a related field (or has related experience)
* Has a strong foundation in UI/UX fundamentals with a love for clarity and flow, and portfolio examples that demonstrate this (coursework welcome)
* Cares deeply about aesthetics, usability, and emotional impact
* Is comfortable collaborating directly with our engineers and scientists to translate complex crop monitoring features and AI-driven insights into accessible, actionable interfaces
* Can present and defend design choices, accept feedback gracefully, and collaborate effectively with non-designers
* Is proficient using Figma, Adobe XD or similar design tools
* Is eligible to work in the UK
Bonus points if you have:
* Created any data visualizations or dashboards – Even simple charts in coursework, personal projects with data APIs, or infographics you've designed
* Basic web knowledge (HTML/CSS) – You don't need to code, but understanding what's possible helps. Maybe you've tinkered with your own portfolio site or done a web module?
* Worked on team projects – University group work, hackathons, society projects, or any collaborative design experience where you've had to iterate based on feedback
* Tried user research methods – e.g. A/B testing, surveys, interviews, or usability studies
* Personal interest in our space – Side projects in sustainability, interest in food/agriculture, or excitement about how technology can solve real-world problems
What you will be achieving with us
As part of our product team, you'll take on meaningful design work that directly impacts how growers around the world interact with their crops:
* Design user interfaces for new features and product improvements
* Create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups in Figma
* Conduct user research with real growers to understand their workflows
* Contribute to our design system and component library
* Participate in design reviews and team meetings
* Support user testing sessions and analyze feedback
* Help visualize complex agricultural data in intuitive ways
* Collaborate with engineers and scientists to ensure successful implementation
What we can offer you
Your placement year is a chance to test yourself in the real world while still having the safety net of being a student. At Gardin, we take that responsibility seriously. We'll challenge you with real work, support you when you struggle, and celebrate your successes. Alongside these, we'll also provide:
* Structured mentorship – Regular feedback and support throughout your placement
* Real project ownership – Portfolio-worthy work that ships to actual customers
* Competitive package – Fair salary, flexible working, and all tools provided
* University alignment – Full support for academic requirements and supervisor reports (where necessary)
* Career development – Professional growth, industry exposure, and solid references for your next steps
* Startup experience – See how design works in a fast-paced, high-impact environment
How to apply
Please submit:
* CV - Including expected graduation date and relevant modules
* Portfolio - 2-3 design projects showing your process (university coursework welcome)
* Cover letter - Why Gardin? What do you hope to learn? (max 300 words)
Gardin is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on any grounds. We empower, engage, enable and value differences between people, including; different races, ethnicities, genders, ages, religions, disabilities, sexual orientations and sex, with differences in education, backgrounds, skill sets, experiences and knowledge.
"Before, I mainly focused on the climate conditions in the greenhouse...with Gardin I can measure the effect of the climate conditions based on the plants themselves. The sensor data contributes to a homogeneous production of high quality and to cost control. On balance, I estimate that the result per square meter is at least 5% higher."
"We pay closer attention to the shading strategy now we work with Gardin, and take better steps to plan for periods of high light, like we have seen this year. Gardin has helped us to think more about the long-term effects of our crop strategy on plant health rather than choosing short term gains."
Rob Van Enckevort, Owner and Grower
De Peelkroon
"For the first time, Gardin's advanced sensors have enabled us to remotely explore plant activity in an industrial setting. This breakthrough has been a significant milestone in our quest to perfect recipe development and crucial for creating the optimal plant environment."
"Gardin sensors added value in seeing a response before we saw the crop deteriorating. I could definitely see the sensors being used to enhance quality and yield in lit crops, particularly as a way to increase their light use efficiency."
"Before, I mainly focused on the climate conditions in the greenhouse...with Gardin I can measure the effect of the climate conditions based on the plants themselves. The sensor data contributes to a homogeneous production of high quality and to cost control. On balance, I estimate that the result per square meter is at least 5% higher."
"We pay closer attention to the shading strategy now we work with Gardin, and take better steps to plan for periods of high light, like we have seen this year. Gardin has helped us to think more about the long-term effects of our crop strategy on plant health rather than choosing short term gains."
Rob Van Enckevort, Owner and Grower
De Peelkroon
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