Job Description
Full Time, Permanent Contract
The closing date for applications is 23.59 on 8th February 2026
Due to the complexity of the Skilled Worker Visa route and eligibility criteria, applicants requiring sponsorship are recommended to check their eligibility on the Home Office website. We cannot provide advice to candidates at the application stage and will only discuss visa routes with candidates who are invited to interview.
Technical Services is seeking to appoint a Senior Technician to join our team of technical support staff based at the university farm at Sonning. The farm encompasses 180 hectares, with over 15 hectares designated for plot-scale agronomic trials and protected cropping systems under the remit of the Crops Research Unit (CRU) that sits within the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development (SAPD). The post-holder will maintain daily interactions with researchers addressing 21st century issues aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including food security, climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation.
You will work closely with the Technical Manager to support daily operations at CRU, with responsibility for:
- To carry out mechanised field work, including cultivations, treatments, application of plant protection products and harvesting.
- To take responsibility for workshop activities, including maintenance, repair and construction of agricultural and trials machinery.
- To participate in the planning, management and crop agronomy of field trials.
- To carry out laboratory analysis of crop samples.
- To participate in the maintenance of the trials site.
- To support students and academics in their research.
You may occasionally be required to support other technical divisions operating across our farms and Crops Research facilities on the main University campus. Training will be provided in specialist techniques and use of equipment, where required.
We in Technical Services are committed to the development of our staff and we actively strive to diversify our team. We are a founding signatory of the Technician Commitment and an Employer Champion. We are dedicated to providing all applicants equality of opportunity. You can find out about our inclusive approach on our EDITS page: https://www.reading.ac.uk/technical-services/equity-diversity-and-inclusion-in-technical-services
Join a dynamic team at the forefront of sustainable agriculture, where your hands-on skills will help shape the future of crop science and global food security — apply now and be part of the solution!
You will have:
- Equivalent to achievement of HNC, AS/A-Level, NVQ3 in Agricultural Science or mechanical workshop related subjects; a degree in a similar subject with more limited practical experience.
- Basic knowledge of crop production and a willingness to learn more.
- A mechanical aptitude and basic workshop experience.
- Knowledge and aptitude for tractor driving and/or good general practical ability.
- A genuine enthusiasm for training in crop production (e.g., PA1 and PA2).
- Experience / aptitude for processing plants, seeds and soils.
- Attention to detail and precise record keeping.
Interview : W/C 2nd March 2026
Informal contact details
Contact role: Richard Casebow
Contact name: Technical Manager (Crops Research Unit)
Contact email: r.j.casebow@reading.ac.uk
Contact role: Dr Karen Wicks
Contact name: Associate Director (Technical Services),
Contact email: k.wicks@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.
