About Harper Adams University
What is Harper Adams University?
Harper Adams University is a specialist university for agri-food and animal wellbeing in Shropshire. Its Working at Harper Adams page says it "began life in 1901 as Harper Adams Agricultural College and was granted University status in 2012", and describes a primary campus "close to the old market town of Newport" with a second site at the Quad digital skills hub in Telford. Its focus is "food production and technology, animal health and wellbeing, management of land and property", it has about 3,000 students, and it runs its own commercial farm of 494 hectares. The Harper & Keele Veterinary School has been open since 2020.
Where will I work?
The postings do not give a location. The job packs describe a "rural campus near Newport in Shropshire" supported by a growing site in Telford, and list "A beautiful rural working environment", free staff parking and on-campus retail, catering and gym facilities. They also list "Flexible, agile working opportunities", and the benefits page says "We welcome conversations about agile or flexible working arrangements so you can balance your professional and personal commitments". The routine working week in the office packs is 37 hours over Monday to Friday, and the Café Supervisor's is 37 hours over five of seven days.
What is the Harper Adams team like?
The packs say "Our annual employee survey consistently tells us that staff are proud to work here, feel trusted to do their jobs, and are supported by their managers", and the University calls itself "an optimistic, pragmatic and collaborative community". Its strategy to 2030 centres on "inclusion, community, influence and sustainability". Of the 14 postings on 2026-10-18, seven were jobs: a Careers Advisor (£35,608 to £38,784), a Paralegal for Information Governance (£28,778 to £31,236, maternity cover), a part-time Reception, Admin & Postal Assistant, a Café Supervisor, a Reader or Associate Professor in Sustainable Livestock Systems and Climate Resilience (£59,966), a clinical teaching fellow and a veterinary research associate. The rest advertised PhD places.
Work-Life Balance
The job packs say "The annual holiday entitlement is 22 working days, plus statutory bank holidays. In addition to this there are 10 University closure days during the full annual leave year" (8 closure days for the Café Supervisor, 35 working days for the Reader). The benefits page lists eight bank holidays, so the Careers Advisor, Paralegal and Reception roles come to 40 days a year and the Café Supervisor to 38; entitlements are pro rata for part-time staff, and the leave year runs from 1 August to 31 July. The benefits page adds "There is also an option for staff to purchase up to an additional 5 days leave per annual leave year", and says "We offer enhanced maternity and paternity pay" without giving its terms.
Perks and Benefits
Staff can join the Harper Adams Group Pension Scheme, with details given on appointment. Health support includes "24/7 Access to our Employee Assistance Programme" and eye care vouchers towards "the cost of eye test and frames". Staff also get free parking, a cycle scheme, corporate discounts at selected Telford & Wrekin leisure centres, a Students' Union gym they can join for a fee, and an indoor squash court, bowling green and tennis courts open to staff in the summer. Development includes an online learning platform with "options for apprenticeships and in-house skill development workshops".