Chair in Agricultural Innovation and Extension

We seek an individual with proven expertise in agricultural innovation and a strong awareness of approaches to on-farm technology adoption in the UK and Europe. The position would suit agricultural economist/social scientist with a strong interest in farmer behaviour, change management and taking new innovations to market or an innovation-led agricultural scientist with an interest in on-farm adoption of technology.

About the role

The Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust has agreed to fund a named Chair in Agricultural Innovation and Extension within the School of Agriculture, Policy & Development for a fixed term, with the post becoming permanently funded by the School. Our aim is that the post-holder will work on cross-School activity to help inform and drive our strategy in relation to innovation, business creation, on-farm extension, technology adoption and knowledge exchange. We will assign the post-holder to an appropriate Department within the School after appointment on the basis of discipline. The appointee would be expected to be research active, have a strong focus on knowledge eschange and cover teaching on two 20-credit modules in agricultural technology. The appointee would serve as a Director of the Centre for Effective Innovation in Agriculture, alongside the ECCT chairs at Warwick, Newcastle, Harper Adams and RAU, and represent the University of Reading on this cross-institution virtual centre of expertise.

About the School

The School of Agriculture, Policy & Development is global in its outlook and has an international reputation for both education and research. It was recently ranked 16th in the World QS Rankings by Subject for Agriculture and Forestry. Within the University of Reading, the School has strong research links with the School of Biological Sciences and Departments of Geography & Environmental Sciences and Food & Nutritional Sciences and has an established reputation for inter-disciplinary research. The appointee will be expected to engage with other relevant multi-disciplinary groupings, for example, the Institute for Food Nutrition & Health, Agrimetrics and other centres of agricultural innovation. The School provides a welcoming, supportive and progressive environment for career development and consists of a learning and research community from over 80 different nations priding itself on multidisciplinary research and innovation.

About you

You will have:

• A doctorate in a relevant subject area
• A broad understanding of agricultural innovation, agricultural business and the current UK agricultural policy landscape
• A profile of outputs and impact consistent with a strong REF submission
• The ability to provide a high quality educational experience
• A successful record of promoting and maintaining collaborative links with relevant stakeholders
• Excellent communication and team leadership skills

Interview date: 30/06/2023

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants should ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement under the PBS. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and is a Diversity Champion for Stonewall, the leading LGBT+ rights organisation. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.