Director Resilient Food Systems

UNIVERSITY OF READING; Reading; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the UK is seeking a Director of Resilient Food Systems to drive innovative research and partnerships aimed at creating a sustainable global food system. The successful candidate will have a strong academic background, proven success in securing research funding, and the ability to engage stakeholders effectively. This is a full-time, permanent position based in Reading.

Qualifications

• Must be an internationally recognized academic with a distinguished track record.
• Demonstrate success in securing major external research income.
• Have strategic vision and authority to influence at high levels.

Responsibilities

• Provide transdisciplinary leadership to shape a resilient global food system.
• Drive research to understand and mitigate risks in food systems.
• Cultivate interdisciplinary culture and secure funding for innovations.

Skills

Leadership in food systems

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Securing research funding

Policy influence

Education

PhD in a related field

Job description

Overview

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Full Time, Permanent

The closing date for applications is 23.59 on 17 October 2025

Interviews will be held: 15 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 Resilient Food Systems, you will provide the transdisciplinary leadership needed to shape a resilient global food system. Working with researchers and stakeholders—including farmers, producers, policymakers and agrifood organisations—you will drive research to understand and mitigate risks and shocks to food systems and develop innovative strategies that strengthen resilience for the future. As a member of the Agrifood Futures leadership team, you will collaborate across the University to deliver the programme's ambition, cultivating an interdisciplinary research culture, shaping major infrastructure investments, forging strategic partnerships, and securing significant external funding to enable large-scale innovation.

The successful candidate will:

• Be an internationally recognised academic with a distinguished track record in food systems of a related field
• Demonstrate success in securing major external research income, leading interdisciplinary collaborations, and influencing policy, practice or innovation on national and global stages
• Have the intellectual agility, strategic vision, and the authority to inspire and engage stakeholders at the highest levels.

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 [e-mail]. Applications should be received by noon on Friday 17 October.

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.