Main Purpose of the Job

The post holder will expand data on the nutrient composition of foods to include dietary factors that modify iron and zinc bioavailability, to estimate iron/zinc bioavailability in foods and in dietary intake data. Some of these dietary factors are already included in national composition tables, but others such as polyphenols and phytate are not.

Compiling dietary factors will be done by a combination of literature search, accessing bioactives information in the Bioactive Substances in Food Information System database (eBASIS) and updating the information for future users. Polyphenols with galloyl and/or catechol groups are key modifiers of iron bioavailability and will be particularly important in this project.

The post holder will then work to select appropriate algorithms, such as the Hallberg & Hulthen algorithm, to estimate whole-diet bioavailable iron intakes in national (UK) data in the first instance but also in European datasets. Similar approach will be taken for zinc.

Finally, the post-holder will model scenarios of future dietary intake in the transition to diets from sustainable sources to enable optimal combinations of foods to maximise bioavailability of iron and zinc.

Key Relationships

The post holder will work closely with Dr Maria Traka on delivery of the project as well as other internal and external colleagues.

Internal: other members of the team around food composition data, other QIB Research Leaders, in particular Prof Martin Warren re micronutrients; QIB Communications to ensure project outputs are communicated externally

External: other project partners; University of Cambridge colleagues responsible for NDNS data; EuroFIR around eBASIS database; scientific community to disseminate output; funders
 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Coordinating gathering and publishing of data around dietary factors affecting iron and zinc bioavailability

30

Estimate whole-diet bioavailable iron and zinc intakes in national and European datasets

30

Model scenarios of future dietary intake in the transition to diets from sustainable sources to enable optimal combinations of foods for bioavailability

30

Report project progress to project coordinators and funders as per project requirements, through presentations and report submission

5

Coordinate scientific publication and other activities to disseminate results to the scientific community

5

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD in Nutrition or related discipline

Essential

MSc in Nutrition or related discipline

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Knowledge on nutrition and health, in particular iron and zinc bioavailability

Essential

Knowledge of nutrient and non-nutrient composition of foods and how it relates to nutrient metabololismm to he

Essential

Statistical modelling applied in dietary intake settings

Essential

Working knowledge of generalized linear models in R/Phython

Essential

Demonstrable deep knowledge of food data, including composition, intake and analysis

Essential

Knowledge of the SHARP diet model

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience in dietary modelling for nutrition research

Essential

Experience in using large scale nutrition study data

Essential

Experience in handling national food consumption survey data

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team

Essential

Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills

Essential

Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to work independently to tight deadlines

Essential

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Willingness to travel outside the UK for project meetings (reasonable adjustments will be considered)

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute

Essential

Quadram Institute Bioscience

The Quadram Institute is at the forefront of a new interface between food science, gut biology and health, developing solutions to worldwide challenges in food-related disease and human health.

We are engaged in fundamental and translational food and health research, alongside clinical studies, endoscopy and industry, working together to become a leading international hub for food and health research, combining scientific excellence and clinical expertise, delivering impacts on patient care and accelerating innovation.

The Quadram Institute is a diverse and multicultural scientific community. We thrive on our international and European links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk.

For more information about working at Quadram Institute Bioscience, please click here.

Department

Food and Nutrition - NBRI

Group Details

The Food & Nutrition National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (F&N-NBRI) is a national coordinating ‘hub’ in nutrition and health and the leading national provider of new and continuously updated data, tools and services vital for UK public health, research and innovation. It is ideally positioned within Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), in its National Capability role, to acquire unique understanding of the research needs around data and tools focusing on food, gut microbes and health, that can benefit the wider research community (academia, industry, users). F&N-NBRI resources relating to food composition, intake and food systems demonstrate effective uptake in four areas: research and innovation, healthcare and consumers, policy and industry.

F&N-NBRI enables the UK to deliver nutritional policy and world-leading science in support of current and emerging national strategic needs in nutrition (food composition and intake), health (e.g., obesity, healthy ageing) and sustainability (environment, food security). It continues to add new food data and tools to meet the needs of researchers within QIB and more widely across food biosciences in the UK. It provides training and capacity development for key users in food and public health, and regularly engages with end-users, stakeholders and other potential beneficiaries to ensure knowledge exchange.

We have recently been successful in securing funds from Horizon Europe (and InnovateUK) to estimate bioavailable iron and zinc intake from UK and european population data. The project is Zero Hidden Hunger (ZHH)- Tackling micronutrient malnutrition and hidden hunger to improve health in the EU and is running from 2024-2028.

 

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Research Scientist – Modelling intakes of iron and zinc bioavailability in European populations.

Applications are invited for a highly motivated Post-doctoral Scientist to join the Food and Nutrition National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (FN- NBRI) at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich UK. This post will work as part of the Zero Hidden Hunger project (Tackling micronutrient malnutrition and hidden hunger to improve health in the EU). They will be modelling intakes in multiple large-scale national dietary datasets and collaborate with international partners to deliver cutting edge research in sustainable diets.

Background:

The Food & Nutrition National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (F&N-NBRI) is a national coordinating ‘hub’ in nutrition and health and the leading national provider of new and continuously updated data, tools and services vital for UK public health, research and innovation.

We have recently been successful in securing funds from Horizon Europe (and InnovateUK) to estimate bioavailable iron and zinc intake from UK and European population data. The project is Zero Hidden Hunger (ZHH) - Tackling micronutrient malnutrition and hidden hunger to improve health in the EU and is running from 2024-2028.

In Europe, 61–97% of women of reproductive age have a dietary iron intake below 15 mg/day. Dietary iron found in foods as haem iron (mainly animal origin) is more efficiently absorbed than from foods containing non-haem iron (mainly plant origin). There are also dietary factors affecting iron absorption which can be either enhancing (e.g. meat, ascorbic acid) or inhibiting absorption (e.g. phytic acid, soy protein, certain polyphenols, calcium, oxalic acid).

Similarly, fractional zinc absorption is influenced by the amount of ingested phytic acid. As our diets are changing to more sustainable sources it is important to model this transition and estimate its effects on micronutrient intakes so that we can achieve optimal combinations of foods to maximise bioavailability.

The role:

The post holder will be responsible for activities such as:
• Compiling data of dietary factors that are influencing iron and zinc bioavailability using literature and our available bioactives composition databases
• Estimating iron and zinc bioavailability intakes in large-scale national consumption survey data from the UK and other European countries
• Modelling scenarios of future dietary intake as we transition to diets from sustainable sources
• Disseminating project results to project partners, the scientific community and the public.

The ideal candidate:

This post will be well-suited to a PhD graduate in Nutrition, or related disciplines with a strong interest in food and nutrition. The ideal candidate will have demonstrable deep knowledge of food data, including composition, intake and analysis and will have experience in statistical modelling applied in dietary intake settings, preferably using R/Python. They will have excellent communication skills directed to a variety of audiences, strong interpersonal skills, and be highly motivated and organised to work independently.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £35,300 to £43,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of 24 months.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.

Interviews will be held on either 17 or 19 July 2024.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sectors of society.  The Institute supports equality of opportunity within the workplace and expects all employees to share and display these values.  To support our commitment, we have a range of family, faith and diversity friendly working arrangements to help all staff achieve excellence in their area of work.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.

The closing date for applications will be 8 July 2024.

The Quadram Institute Bioscience is a registered charity (No. 1058499) and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.