A Trainee’s Week in the Life: George Leighton at James Hutton

Hi, I’m George, a Trainee on the MDS Graduate Scheme, currently working as a Digital Marketing Assistant with James Hutton Institute Scientific Services.

When people hear “digital marketing”, they often picture someone glued to a laptop scheduling social media posts. And while there is some of that, working within a scientific services environment means no two weeks look quite the same.

Hutton Scientific Services is the commercial arm of the James Hutton Institute, so my role involves translating world-class research into stories that businesses and partners can engage with. One day I might be planning content around crop trials in Dundee, the next I could be filming in an immersive digital suite in Aberdeen. Ultimately, the work happening here feeds into something bigger – improving the resilience of crops, land and natural resources in the face of the nature and climate crises, while supporting thriving communities.

Being part of MDS means I get to experience these different parts of the agri-food sector first-hand, learning how science, industry and communication all connect.

So this week, I thought I’d share what a typical (or slightly less typical!) week can look like.

Monday – Getting Started

The week began with settling in and getting up to speed with ongoing projects at James Hutton Institute Scientific Services. It was a chance to review tasks for the week and familiarise myself with the team and the environment before diving into the varied activities ahead.

Tuesday – Podcasting in The Hutton Hub

On Tuesday, I was up at the Hutton Hub at the James Hutton Institute’s Craigiebuckler campus in Aberdeen.

I was learning how our new podcasting equipment worked, with the aim of starting a podcast series in the future alongside The James Hutton Institute. The Hub isn’t just a meeting space, it’s a collaboration environment designed for businesses, researchers and partners to work together.

The standout feature? The 360° immersive suite. It’s one of those spaces you have to see in person to fully appreciate. With professional podcasting equipment and flexible event space, it became a brilliant setting for conversations that connect science with industry.

For me, it was a reminder that marketing here isn’t just about posting online, it’s about creating platforms where innovation can be shared properly.

Not a bad place to spend a Tuesday.

Wednesday – A Day in the Glasshouse

Midweek looked a little different.

Our Crop Trials manager was away at a conference, so I stepped in to lend a hand at our greenhouse facilities in Invergowrie, following his meticulous instructions. It’s not every marketing job that involves measuring oat plants. This particular trial focused on monitoring powdered mildew, collecting data that helped us understand disease responses and crop performance under controlled conditions.

Our crop trials work supports a wide range of clients, from early-stage research through to commercial product development. Being able to see the process up close – rather than just writing about it – gave me a much better understanding of what we’re actually communicating.

Experiences like this are one of the things I’ve really valued about being part of MDS. They’ve given me the chance to step outside my immediate role and understand how different parts of the sector work together.

Thursday – From Dundee to the Netherlands (via Blueberries)

Thursday was all about soft fruit.

I spent time with our fruit breeding team discussing preparations for an upcoming event we hosted, where we showcased some of the exciting work happening in commercial variety development. Breeding isn’t always the most glamorous topic on paper, but when you see what’s involved in improving crop varieties for growers not just in the UK, but globally, it becomes pretty fascinating.

Recently, I was fortunate enough to travel to the Netherlands to deliver blueberry cuttings to a client. It’s moments like that which remind you that the work happening here has genuine international reach.

From greenhouse selection to global partnerships, it’s a process that blends science, long-term thinking and real-world application. And yes – it’s also a good story to bring back to the marketing team.

Friday – Planning for Cereals 2026

The week wrapped up with a meeting alongside the team at the International Barley Hub as we planned ahead for Cereals 2026. This year’s event will be held at Diddly Squat Farm – yes, Jeremy Clarkson’s farm – and we’ll have our own plot showcasing cereal crops.

There’s a lot that goes into preparing for an event like this. From deciding what we’re showcasing to planning how we communicate it clearly, it’s a team effort between scientists and, occasionally, someone like me asking, “How do we explain that without needing a PhD?”

Working with the barley team gave me insight into the scale of innovation happening behind the scenes, from crop improvement to supporting industry resilience.

Reflecting on the Week

One of the biggest things I’ve taken from my time on the MDS programme so far is just how interconnected the agri-food sector really is. From crop trials and breeding programmes to industry events and communications, every part plays a role in helping agriculture adapt and thrive.

It’s been a fascinating experience to see that first-hand during my placement at Hutton Scientific Services and I’m looking forward to seeing where the next part of the MDS journey leads.