Research Associate in Sustainable Farming Systems

The postholder will be employed by the University of Reading and working at Sustainable Food Trust's offices in Bristol, and remotely.

This position forms part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) part funded by Innovate UK. It's essential you understand how KTP works with business and the University, and the vital role you will play. It is a 24 month fixed term contract and provides the opportunity to support Sustainable Food Trust to accelerate the transition to sustainable food and farming systems.

Apply your skills to lead the development of a resource pack for the Global Farm Metric, a pioneering framework that empowers farmers, businesses, and policymakers to measure, compare, and drive sustainability across food systems globally ( www.globalfarmmetric.org ). The resource pack will provide practical, actionable guidance on use cases for the framework and assessing individual categories within the GFM, supporting sustainability transformations across the agri-food sector.

This is a unique opportunity to work within an experienced and impactful team involving those promoting innovations in supply chains, in order to support approaches for the sustainable development of the agri-food sector.

Skill development through training

There is a £4,000 dedicated training budget tailored towards your own personal development in addition to residential management skills training.

About Sustainable Food Trust

Sustainable Food Trust's mission is to accelerate the transition to sustainable food and farming systems. Our work is based upon three key pillars: farming policy, finance and practice; measuring and valuing sustainability; education and awareness raising.

Our 17 employees work catalytically and collaboratively through high-level lobbying, coalition building, trials and research, public campaigning and education. https://sustainablefoodtrust.org/

Within this role you will:

• Collaborate with world-renowned tool and framework developers to ensure the resource pack aligns with end-user requirements and cutting edge practices in sustainability assessment.
• Prepare findings for publication.
• Assist with future grant applications.
• Liaise with participants and organisations across the agri-food sector.
• Have the opportunity to contribute to teaching activities within the BSc Agricultural Business Management, BSc Agriculture and BSc Food Business Marketing and Economics and Masters level courses in Agricultural Economics and Food Economics and Marketing.
• Have access to industry leading research infrastructure and supervision from a leading academic research team from the University of Reading and the Sustainable Food Trust.

You will have:

• A postgraduate degree in a discipline related to the GFM, or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience in some or all the following methods: farm sustainability assessment, survey design, systematic literature review(s), structured interviews, quantitative data analysis, participatory research.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Previous experience of leading and/or contributing to publications/presentations.

Closing date: 31 January 2025
Interviews will be held: either w/c 17 February 2025 or w/c 24 February 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 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.