Research Assistant (Part Time 22.2 hours per week, fixed term until 31 May 2026)

Salary: Grade 7 - £32,080 to £34,610 pro rata, per annum (The point of entry will be dependent upon relevant qualifications and experience) 

This new part-time (0.6FTE) post is available until 31 May 2026 on a fixed-term basis, within the Agriculture and Environment department. We welcome applications from candidates interested in job-sharing arrangements. Due to the nature of the role, unfortunately we are unable to accommodate working from home. 

We are seeking to recruit a motivated and detail-oriented Research Assistant to support the delivery of the ‘Breed for CH4nge’ research project. This Innovate UK funded 0.6FTE post is available from 01/10/2025 to 31/05/26. The successful applicant will conduct research on the feed efficiency, grazing intake and behaviour of sheep, supporting the objectives of the ‘Breed for CH4nge’ project in developing genetic selection tools to help English sheep farmers breed more productive, efficient maternal breed-type sheep with a naturally lower carbon footprint. 

Key responsibilities will include:

• Assist in the setup and monitoring of an indoor feed intake trial using manual recording systems
• Support preliminary grazing studies, including grazing management, pasture assessments, animal weights and observations
• Collect and manage accurate records of feed consumption, intake levels and animal weight
• Coordinate logistics for fieldwork, including equipment setup and transport
• Ensure compliance with ethical standards
• Carry out laboratory analysis of feed and pasture samples 

Essential to this role are:

• A degree in animal science, agriculture, biology or similar, or equivalent experience
• Experience working with livestock, preferably sheep
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Experience with data collection and management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Well organised, self-motivated, and able to seek and take direction when needed.

If you have any queries or questions or for an informal discussion, please contact Dr. Sarah Morgan via e-mail (smorgan@harper-adams.ac.uk). For further information about the University or to see full job description, please visit our website at www.harper-adams.ac.uk

Application Procedure:

All applications should be completed and submitted using the Harper Adams e-Recruitment programme via the above ‘Apply’ button to be completed no later than midnight on 12 October 2025.

Should you require any adjustments to complete your application for this role then please contact vacancies@harper-adams.ac.uk      

If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK, please follow this link https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK and details about eligibility for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa.

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