Job Description
Full Time, Permanent
Closing date for applications: 23.59 on 18th January 2026
Interview date: w/c 9th 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 Technician to support laboratory-based teaching practicals for the School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science (SAGES). For prospective candidates with a background in the physical earth, environmental or archaeological sciences, this post offers an exciting opportunity to join the University of Reading that currently ranks No. 1 in the UK for research quality in Archaeology (REF 2021) and very highly rated for Earth Systems and Environmental Science. As a member of a small technical team, you will maintain daily interactions with researchers addressing global challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, and historical human impacts. You will work closely with senior technicians within your team to help with the daily operations of analytical laboratory facilities, which include instruments such as ICP-OES, GCs, MP-AES, Elemental Analysers, Spectrophotometers, and Ion Chromatography.
You will be responsible for:
- The upkeep of a large teaching laboratory used for teaching practicals for undergraduate and postgraduate taught students.
- Setting-up / taking down and demonstrating for teaching practicals.
- Maintaining portable field testing devices used for field-classes.
- Providing support for project dissertation student labwork.
- Ordering equipment and consumables.
- Processing of soil and water samples, plants, seeds and soil microorganism cultures used for teaching.
You may occasionally be required to support technical divisions delivering teaching practicals for other schools during semesters. Training will be provided in specialist techniques and use of equipment, where required.
Candidates should refer to the Essential Criteria listed in the Person Specification linked to this advert, when preparing their supporting statements.
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 Diversity and Inclusion (reading.ac.uk) .
Shape the Future of Earth and Environmental Science – Become Our Next Laboratory Technician
You will have:
- HNC, AS/A-Level, NVQ3 in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Physical Geography or related subjects; a degree in a similar subject with more limited practical experience.
- Technical experience of working in specialist areas, ideally in laboratories used for teaching, research or commercial purposes.
Interviews will be held: week commencing 9th February 2026. Candidates will be given a short tour of the laboratory facilities on the day of the interview.
Contact details
Contact role: Dr George Gibbings
Contact name: Technical Manager (Analytical Division)
Contact email: j.g.gibbings@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.
