Senior Technician (Controlled Environments)

We, in Technical Services are committed to the development of our staff and we actively strive to diversify our team. We are a founding signatory of the Technician Commitment and an Employer Champion. We are dedicated to providing all applicants equality of opportunity and we now have an opportunity for you to join us as a Senior Technician, ideally with a background in Electrical Engineering. The post-holder will be Campus-based, joining a small team working in the Crops and Environment Laboratory (CEL) that sits within the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development (SAPD). The post holder will be expected to take a flexible approach to ensuring the day-to-day running of the CEL facility, in particular the upkeep of a suite of controlled environment growth cabinets and walk-in CE units.

The main specialist areas within the remit of the post, include:

• Matched sets of controlled environment cabinets remotely controlled and monitored, permitting factorial experimentation involving various environmental and nutritional factors.
• A suite of walk-in growth rooms.
• Various ancillary laboratory spaces, equipment rooms, storage lockups, hazardous waste stores, plant and farming equipment and a mechanical workshop.
• A large suite of specialised glasshouses permitting varying degrees of control of light and shade, temperature (heating and cooling), carbon dioxide, along with bespoke irrigation / fertigation regimes.
• Five hectares of grounds where protected crops are grown outdoors on a small plot scale.

The Senior Technician (CE) will have:

• Significant workshop experience involving the operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of complex electrical systems, operated by multifactorial control panels.
• A HND, NVQ4 or basic professional qualification in a science or engineering subject, or a degree in a similar subject with more limited experience.
• A genuine interest in Crop Science and plant husbandry.

Candidates should refer to the Essential Criteria listed in the Person Specification linked to this advert, when preparing their supporting statements. Training will be provided in specialist techniques and the use of equipment, where necessary. You can find out about our inclusive approach on our EDITS page

INTERVIEW DATE - w/c 15 May 2023

Informal contact details

Contact role: Technical Manager, CEL
Contact name: Mr Liam Doherty
Contact phone: +44 (0)118 378 6834
Contact email: l.g.doherty@reading.ac.uk

Alternative informal contact details

Contact role: Associate Director, Technical Services
Contact name: Dr Karen Wicks
Contact phone: +44 (0)118 378 7758
Contact email: k.wicks@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 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.

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