About the position
Contractual hours: 36 Job description Application closing date: 23:59 on 16th November 2026 Interviews date: week commencing 30th November 2026 Applicants requiring Skilled Worker visa sponsorship should check Home Office eligibility requirements. Visa routes will only be discussed at interview. We are seeking an experienced tractor operator / farm technician to support field-scale crop research at the University of Reading's Sonning Farm. If you have strong background in cultivations, drilling, spraying, harvesting and machinery maintenance, this role offers opportunities to apply those skills in an agricultural research setting. This role involves delivering research field trials, operating and maintaining tractors and specialist equipment, managing the workshop, and ensuring machinery is maintained to a high standard. Working closely with researchers and technicians, you will help establish and manage crop trials supporting advances in agriculture, food production and environmental sustainability. Depending on your interests and experience, opportunities exist to work with emerging technologies (e.g.) drones, sensors and precision agriculture systems. We are looking for someone with: - Practical experience operating tractors and mounted agricultural equipment. - Proven ability to diagnose and repair of agricultural machinery and equipment. - The ability to safely identify faults, undertake repairs and work with heavy equipment. - Good judgement, initiative and a strong commitment to safe working practices. - Understanding of scientific field trials and experimental work, with excellent attention to detail and an organised approach. - Willingness to undertake pesticide application duties and follow detailed operating procedures. - Experience planning maintenance schedules for equipment and facilities. - Strong teamwork skills, a positive attitude and willingness to practically support field trial sites, including workshop tasks. - Good communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues and external contacts. Desirable experience: - An interest in agricultural electronics, sensors, data loggers and drone technology. - Understanding of crop agronomy and crop production systems. - Experience in agricultural research, field trials or a similar technical environment. - A passion for plants, farming, horticulture and/or crop production. - Experience of maintaining and repairing specialist technical equipment. - Experience supporting researchers and students in an academic or research environment. You may occasionally support other technical teams across the University’s farms and crop research facilities. Training will be provided where required. If you are a hands-on technical specialist with agricultural experience, strong problem-solving skills and a passion for research and innovation, we'd love to hear from you. 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. - A mechanical aptitude and basic workshop experience. - Tractor driving skills and excellent practical ability. - A genuine enthusiasm for crop production and research (e.g., PA1-PA6). - Experience / aptitude for processing plants, seeds and soils. - Attention to detail and precise record keeping. The University is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and champions equality. Informal contact details Contact name: Richard Casebow Contact role: Technical Manager (Crops Research Unit) Contact email: r.j.casebow@reading.ac.uk Alternative contact name: Dr Karen Wicks Contact role: 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. £31,236 per annum. Grade 5
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