Research Associate (RA) – Agricultural Development and Climate Services

Closing date: 23:59 on 28th April 2025.

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. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

The International Development Department in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development at the University of Reading seeks to appoint a Research Associate (RA) in Agricultural Development and Climate Services to work on an innovative approach to agricultural development called Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA). PICSA has been used in more than thirty countries, reaching millions of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America. The RA will be a key part of the PICSA research team, supporting research projects, providing training for agricultural intermediaries, contributing to developing creative solutions, and monitoring and investigating the impact of the approach for smallholder farmers.

Successful candidates will show an in-depth understanding of smallholder farming systems in the developing world, will be able to demonstrate practical field experience of working with smallholder farmers and be able to write to a high standard for publication in academic journals.

You will work in a small and supportive team and liaise both with staff in relevant research divisions within the University and with contacts in a wide range of international organisations. The position is initially a one-year fixed term contract which may be extended if funding permits. The intended start date is June 2025.

The School of Agriculture, Policy and Development at Reading is global in its outlook and has an international reputation for both education and research. It was recently ranked 20th in the World QS subject rankings for Agriculture and Forestry (no.1 in the UK). Within the University of Reading, SAPD has strong research links with other Schools and has an established reputation for inter-disciplinary research.

The School provides a welcoming, supportive and progressive environment for career development and consists of a learning and research community from over 40 different nations, was highly ranked in the last REF and prides itself on its multi-disciplinary research and education.

You will have:

• Ability to carry out research under the supervision of a Principal Investigator, in accordance with a specified project as an active team member
• Masters in a relevant discipline e.g. Agricultural Development, Development Geography or Climate Services
• Experience of working with smallholder farmers in developing countries
• Ability to use participatory methods in research and or training
• Ability to write well and to make a significant contribution publications and other forms of communication
• Good communication skills and the ability to build close working relationships with colleagues in the UK and internationally
• Good organisation, planning and management skills and proven ability to complete tasks

Interviews will be held: 6th May 2025.

Contact Name: Dr Graham Clarkson
Contact Job Title: Senior Research Fellow
Contact Email address: g.clarkson@reading.ac.uk

Alternative Contact Name: Prof. Peter Dorward
Alternative Contact Job Title: Professor Agricultural Systems
Alternative Contact Email address: p.t.dorward@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).

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