Postdoctoral Research Assistant

Value4Farm is a collaborative initiative funded by the EU Horizon Europe program, dedicated to integrating renewable energy into farming. The aim of the overall project is to increase on-farm renewable energy production while preserving food production, soil health, biodiversity, and reducing water and fertilizer usage. Successful completion of the project will lead to more sustainable and energy-efficient agricultural systems. The University of Reading has a number of roles within the project but it is expected that this part-time PDRA role [ 0.5FTE over 25 months] will assist primarily with work associated with the social acceptance of the value chains being proposed within the project.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development at the University of Reading and to collaborate with internationally leading researchers from across Europe. The Value4Farm project involves 14 EU partners and the University of Reading is leading several aspects of work related to technology uptake and farmer acceptance.

The post will involve a review of the key literature related to social acceptance, particularly in the context of renewable energy and then working as part of a team to design and implement a series of stakeholder interviews and questionnaires related to social acceptance. The post holder will help to analyse a range of data to evaluate social acceptance of renewable energy value chains and present this in a concise manner to a range of audiences.

The applicant should have:

• Good written and communication skills and an ability to summarise scientific information
• PhD in social sciences, agriculture, energy, or related discipline
• A knowledge of issues relating to sustainability, agriculture/energy specifically in the EU context
• Experience of using social science research techniques
• Interview, questionnaire and focus group design skills
• Be highly organised and excellent time keeping

Closing date: 24 October 2024
Interviews will be held: TBC

Contact Name: Professor Julian Park
Contact Job Title: Professor, Sustainable Land Management
Contact Email address: j.r.park@reading.ac.uk

Alternative Contact Name: Dr Yiorgos Gadanakis
Alternative Contact Job Title: Associate Professor, Agri-Food Economic & Marketing
Alternative Contact Email address: g.gadanakis@reading.ac.uk 

We welcome applications from both external and internal candidates. As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role can be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Internal candidates should discuss this with their line manager prior to applying.

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, non-UK candidates who do not already have permission to work in the UK should note that by reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship will not be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. 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 champions LGBT+ equality. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

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