Director Sustainable Farming Systems

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Full Time, Permanent

The closing date for applications is 23.59 on 17 th October 2025

Interviews will be held: 18 th December 2025

The University of Reading is internationally recognised for excellence in agriculture, food and environmental research. Ranked in the QS global top 20 for Agriculture and Forestry and named Sustainable University of the Year 2025, Reading is now embarking on one of the most ambitious programmes in its history: Agrifood Futures.

Agrifood Futures is a bold research and innovation strategy that will transform the way we produce, consume and think about food as we move towards 2050. At its heart are three interconnected Priority Research Areas, each shaped to deliver long-term, challenge-led programmes of research and innovation:

1. A resilient food system for everyone
2. Farming systems that work with nature and our climate
3. Food that nourishes people and the planet

These Areas will be supported by significant new enabling investments including a state-of-the-art innovation farm, advanced food processing facilities, and a participatory platform for nutrition and consumer behaviour.

To launch this strategy, the University is establishing a world-class leadership team of five senior appointments:

• Agrifood Futures Director- a professorial role providing visionary leadership for the overall strategy, driving the design and delivery of major infrastructure, partnerships and impact.
• Director, Resilient Food Systems - a professorial role leading research that empowers stakeholders to understand, mitigate and adapt to risks and shocks in the global agrifood system, ensuring resilience for the future.
• Director, Sustainable Farming Systems - a professorial role driving transformative research in farming practices that work with nature and climate, delivering sustainable production alongside environmental and biodiversity gains.
• Director, Healthy Sustainable Foods - a professorial role leading the transformation towards diets that are healthy, sustainable, desirable and accessible, supported by cutting-edge food processing and consumer-focused research.
• Head of Strategic Partnerships and Investments - a professional services role forging transformative partnerships across industry, government and global stakeholders, and securing major co-investments to deliver the strategy at scale.

As Director of Sustainable Farming Systems, you will lead transformative research that reimagines farming to work with nature and the climate. Collaborating with farmers, agrifood organisations and policymakers, you will develop evidence-based solutions that enable sustainable production of high-quality food while delivering positive outcomes for the environment, climate and biodiversity. As part of the Agrifood Futures leadership team, you will help shape the vision for nationally significant infrastructure, including the University's new innovation farm, and play a central role in cultivating interdisciplinary research cultures, building high-value partnerships, and securing significant co-investment to deliver innovation at scale.

The successful candidate will:

• Be an internationally recognised academic with a distinguished track record in agricultural or environmental sciences and a proven record of securing major external funding.
• An authority in leading interdisciplinary collaborations and demonstrate impact on policy, practice or innovation at national and international levels.
• Have the intellectual agility, strategic vision and ability to influence and inspire stakeholders across academic, industry, government and the third sector.

For more information, please contact:

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the University of Reading on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference IBVXA. Alternatively email Belinda.beck@saxbam.com . Applications should be received by noon on Friday 17 th October 2025

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.