The University of Reading is a world-leading institution in disciplines key for Agriculture, Food and connected disciplines such as Climate and Environmental research. The AgriFood ‘Rising Star’ Fellowship scheme is funded by the National Institute for Research Into Dairying (NIRD) Trust, which enables our investment into agriculture and food research. At a time when we are facing national and global challenges related to: access to healthy and sustainable diets; diet-related disease; the consequences of climate change for food production; the need to enhance ecosystem biodiversity that impacts on our food system, these Fellowships have never been more important.

We will be looking to appoint at least two Fellows in 2023/24 with a minimum of a further two Fellowship appointments in 2024/25 and 2025/26. We are looking for individuals who can push the boundaries of their discipline, who are willing to build and lead interdisciplinary research teams, and who can demonstrate the potential to deliver ground-breaking research discoveries. We will provide similar support packages to anyone seeking to base prestigious fellowships, such as those funded by the Royal Society, European Union or UKRI, at the University of Reading.

Each Fellow will be appointed on the Lecturer scale as a Research Intensive contract, initially for three years with the intention to extend for a further two years if probationary targets have been met. The expectation is then that the Fellow will transition to a permanent academic post in their home School. A generous support package will be provided to aid the development of each Fellow (£20k p.a. research expenses, peer support, mentoring, leadership training and a PhD studentship fund equivalent to one UK student fee, stipend and research training and support grant). We anticipate that applicants will already have some post-doctoral experience, will be able to evidence high quality publications and their potential to obtain external funding for impactful research.

We have identified two priority areas for the first cohort and are particularly seeking appointments in these topics. However, we welcome applications from people representing any discipline who have the potential to develop a transformational research programme relevant to the challenges facing agriculture and food.

Priority areas:

• Addressing the interactions between a changing climate and food systems

• Innovative food processing of novel ingredients emerging from protein and oil crops

Potential applicants are encouraged to connect with the Research Dean as soon as possible to discuss their proposed programme of work. We have funds available to support potential high quality applicants to visit the University of Reading ahead of the deadline to meet potential collaborators, view our excellent facilities and get a sense of the welcoming research environment they could be joining.

It is anticipated that these positions will be held in either the School of Agriculture, Policy & Development, or the School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy (Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences), or a relevant related School, according to the discipline of the successful applicant.

Applicants should attach a full academic CV through the online application portal. In addition, applicants should send their research proposal separately via email to AgriFoodFellowships@reading.ac.uk This proposal should be a maximum of 5 pages in a PDF/ Word document, with minimum size 11 font and 2cm margins. The proposal should include details of: (1) the vision, aims and objectives of your proposed work, (2) your proposed methodology or approach, highlighting any key facilities you need (3) how this work impacts world-leading research, society, the economy and/or the agriculture and food environment (4) the collaborations you will seek to foster internally and externally and (5) your plans for developing your own leadership potential and fostering the careers of others.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates are planned for the first week of April 2024.

Closing date - 18 March 2024.

Informal contact details

Contact role: Research Dean for Agriculture, Food and Health

Contact name: Prof Carol Wagstaff

Contact email: AgriFoodFellowships@reading.ac.uk

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants should ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement under the PBS. 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