This field assistant role is part of the SHOWCASE research project (https://showcase-project.eu/), which is an EU-funded project investigating ways to promote biodiversity in farming whilst maximising production. The UK project is investigating the impact of different cover crop practices on biodiversity, soil health, and crop yield in arable farms. This project was co-designed between the University of Reading, Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF), and 16 arable farmers.

The purpose of this role is to support a postdoctoral research associate in collecting soil, plant and invertebrate data on arable farms in January and February 2023. Fieldwork will be 2-3 days per week and labwork will be 2-3 days per week. Fieldwork includes physical work, e.g. digging and hammering, to collect soil samples. We will work in a team of three people and spend a few nights away to sample sites that are further away. The eleven sites span an area from Cambridgeshire to the Cotswolds and to Hampshire.

Main duties and responsibilities

• To travel to arable farms across Southern England and collect soil samples in the field
• To collect in invertebrates on farms: earthworms using soil monoliths and spiders using a vortis suction sampler
• To process invertebrate samples in the lab (e.g. cleaning/identification)

This position is fixed term until end February 2023 with a likely extension to September.

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, non-UK candidates who do not already have permission to work in the UK should note that by reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship will not be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. 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 is a Diversity Champion for Stonewall, the leading LGBT+ rights organisation. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.