University of Reading Job security & advancement reviews

Worked for 4 years as a research assistant. Friendly environment, great colleagues and supervisors. Didn't have to deal with HR too much at the time so cannot comment on that aspect

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Good for a job but not a career

Teaching and Research Technician (Current Employee) - Reading - 25 January 2023

The university is a good employer to work for if you want to (at least in my area) work with nice colleagues and meet interesting people. Management mostly leave you alone to get on with the job, so a lot of self task allocation.The career progression however is almost non existent. If you want to advance you have to apply internally for other roles. If you're just starting out in the world of work and want some learning opportunities (on subjects/ equipment etc) or just want a job to have money coming in go for it.

Pros

Mostly relaxed work pace, nice/interesting academics/staff & learning opportunities

Cons

Low pay for area, poor career progression & understaffed IT/Estates departments

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Insights into University of Reading

Based on 20 survey responses

What people like

Inclusive work environment
Time and location flexibility
Support from manager

Supportive Environment

Research Assistant (Current Employee) - Reading, Berkshire - 9 January 2023

I work within research at the uni and have found the area very supportive, there are lots of career opportunities and engagement options. The management may be a little harder to navigate but on the day to day I enjoy my work

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Busy role

Administrator (Former Employee) - Reading, Berkshire - 15 December 2022

A busy role. Not much training. Bureaucratic and slow at times. Work life balance needs addressing for certain roles. Nice campus, good flexible working.

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I love working here but it could be better

Postdoctoral Research Associate (Current Employee) - Reading, Berkshire - 10 November 2022

Great people but some processes are long winded and can hinder progress. I've had some very short term contracts (1 month) - hard to get longer term ones.

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Accommodation Supervisor (Former Employee) - Reading - 23 March 2021

Always encouraging, pay well, great work and social life balance. Would highly recommend the university of reading. An excellent employer with opportunities to progress

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Fun

Student Ambassador (Former Employee) - Reading - 5 September 2019

A great job for students. Very valuable as you learn more about recruiting new students and develop various skills. It was also great to represent the university.

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N/a

Student Support Coordinator (Current Employee) - Reading - 3 July 2018

The work ethos and office culture is excellent. All staff are professional and polite and friendly. One drawback is staff have to pay for parking however it is a small cost and university-wide so applies to all.

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fun and friendly workplace

Filming and Editing (Former Employee) - Reading - 10 March 2018

Great opportunity for getting hands-on experience and adding on your CV. Friendly technicians and managers. They provide a pretty good payment for a student.

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Relaxed and Supportive

Student Mentor (Former Employee) - Reading - 15 February 2018

I had the opportunity to mentor students in a wide variety of ways during my degree.There was always something to help with, and it was clear that they care a lot about their student community.

Pros

Consistent support, flexible working hours

Cons

Positions only lasted a few months

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Jobs at University of Reading

Front Desk Administrator

Reading

10 days ago

Evening/Weekend Attendant

Excellent

Research Fellow (Former Employee) - Reading - 2 December 2017

Office based job in lovely department on beautiful campus with people around who wanted to learn as well as #have fun. Great career progression and workplace culture.

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Excellent placement research project.

Student Researcher (Former Employee) - Reading - 6 August 2017

Very formative and interesting placement. Staff and employees taught me a lot throughout the summer and were especially patient and friendly when dealing with questions and group work.

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Fun

Student Ambassador (Current Employee) - Reading, Berkshire - 17 July 2017

Goof experience especially for students who are looking to earn some extra money whilst gaining skills in a comfortable environment. Would highly recommend

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Productive and friendly workplace

STUDENT FUNDRAISER (Former Employee) - Reading, Berkshire - 3 July 2017

My job required me calling alumni and update their contact information, studies, careers' information and to update them about any new project going on on campus and to ask for funds to promote them.

Pros

Good for communication skills

Cons

late evening shifts right after lectures

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Interesting and fulfilling work

Disability Support Worker (Current Employee) - Reading, Berkshire - 30 May 2017

great to build relationships with students and help them to achieve their full potential. As I am employed on a 'zero hours' contract it is difficult to guarantee security.

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Interesting and Fun

Lab Technician (Current Employee) - Reading, Berkshire - 19 May 2017

Here I helped process materials as a lab assistant. This is a different sector to what I usually am use to and I had the best researchers and professors in the department working with me. The hardest part of the job was leaving at the end of the day!

Pros

Great atmosphere, SCR pass

Cons

Temporary Contracts only

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volunteer excavation

Archaeological Volunteer (Former Employee) - Lyminge, Kent - 9 May 2017

An excellent excavation, and a really interesting project. Overall, well run, nice food from mobile caterers provided and an excellent opportunity to develop skills.

Pros

free food

Cons

bad weather

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Summary

Student Ambassador (Former Employee) - Reading, Berkshire - 3 May 2017

Great campus. Good management and support offered. Would recommend to anyone interested. Little negatives to provide based on experiences gained and work/life balance

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Good Salary, Good flexibility

Student Note Taker (Current Employee) - Reading, UK - 5 April 2017

I work as a student note taker. The salary is excellent, and the flexibility around my studies is very good (e.g. if a date was close to my dissertation submission date, my shifts were covered no questions asked).

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A great volunteer position

Research Assistant (Former Employee) - Reading - 12 July 2016

This was only a volunteer position so I cannot go into much detail. The campus is beautiful and there is a great atmosphere.

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Challenging with very amicable co workers

Bar Supervisor (Former Employee) - Park Eat - 1 September 2015

University of Reading as an employer was extremely supportive, being part of a company the size of a University with such a firm belief in learning and development allowed me to flourish in my role; offering several chances to go on courses, conferences and other learning experiences.

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