Job reference: KTP25004
Salary: £38,000 to £40,000 per annum depending on qualifications and experience
Closing date: 20/07/2025
Department: Research Engagement and Innovation Office
Location: Whiteknights Reading UK
Employment type: KTP Associate
Division: Not specified
Hours Per Week: 35 hours per week
Job live date: 25/06/2025
Employment Basis/Type: Full time, Fixed Term - 24 months

Job Description

Closing date: 20th July 2025 at 23:59 (BST)

Hours of work: Full time

Role Type: Fixed Term Contract

By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants wishing to consider the SWR must ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement before applying. Successful candidates not already holding a Skilled Worker visa issued before 4th April 2024 will need to qualify as a new entrant before being able to be sponsored. There is further information about visas on the UK Visas and Immigration Website

The University of Reading’s School of Agriculture, Policy & Development seeks to appoint a Knowledge Transfer Associate in Agricultural Data System Development in the Department of Agri-Food Economics & Marketing working with Pasture for Life. The appointee will lead the development of an Integrated Data System (IDS) for Pasture for Life. This IDS will facilitate collation of on-farm data and harness AI to record, benchmark and communicate the impacts arising from the adoption of regenerative farming approaches against environmental, social and economic criteria.

In this role, the appointee will collaborate with industry experts in regenerative farming and academic experts in sustainability assessment, as well as AI at the University of Reading to ensure the IDS aligns with cutting-edge practices in tech development and sustainability assessment.

You will have : compulsory

  • Excellent verbal (e.g. presentation) and written (e.g. report writing) skills, including the ability use MS Office, to interact with agri-food industry stakeholders, scholars and the wider Pasture for Life community.
  • Demonstrable system development skills, including business analysis, requirements engineering, databases, web based systems and interface design.
  • Demonstrable collaborative skills including stakeholder management and networking.
  • Excellent Organisational and Administrative skills including a proven ability to work to deadlines and to work independently and take initiative.
  • Excellent project management skills.
  • Knowledge of contemporary web based system development methods.
  • Knowledge of database systems.
  • Proven experience with designing, implementing and analysing data gathered from stakeholders
  • Drive and ambition to undertake methodologically and conceptually challenging work
  • A clear interest in the sustainability of future agricultural and/or food systems

Interviews will be held: 19 August 2025

Contact Details:

Contact Name: Dr Laurence Smith

Contact Job Title: Associate Professor in Agricultural Systems

Contact Email address: l.g.smith@reading.ac.uk

Alternative Contact Name: Dr Simon Cutler

Alternative Contact Job Title: Business Relationship Manager

Alternative Contact Email address: s.b.cutler@reading.ac.uk

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

Take a look around the company https://www.reading.ac.uk/