Main Purpose of the Job

We are looking for a Senior Research Scientist to lead research activities around food composition data in nutrition, and coordinate analysis capabilities in dietary assessment research relevant for QIB and the wider research community.

The post holder will be responsible for activities including: (1) working with the FN-NBRI team and external stakeholders on new food composition data acquisition, ensuring the highest quality is maintained, (2) developing data analysis capabilities from dietary assessment tool outputs for the wider research community, (3) leading and supporting on FN-NBRI research grant proposals, (4) coordinating food data standardisation activities, and (5) developing training activities related to FN-NBRI core resources and capabilities.

Key Relationships

Within QIB, the post holder will work closely with the Head of the Food and Nutrition National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (FN-NBRI), the rest of the FN-NBRI team, QIB group leaders in Food, Microbes and Health ISP, Communications and Business Office and QIB Extra. Externally, the post holder will work with various external collaborators including the OHID team at DHSC, external nutritionists and consultants, Eurofins, industry and industry bodies, other food compilers from Europe and beyond, and a wide range of users from academia, industry and NGOs across the food and nutrition field.
 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Undertaking and overseeing new food composition data acquisition and curation, including sampling design studies, collating and evaluating data, and preparing data (individual foods and recipes) for publication.

30

Supporting internal (QIB) and external scientists in using dietary assessment tools available both within FN-NBRI and wider (e.g. digital tools, online FFQs, 24h recalls), developing data analysis capabilities from dietary assessment tool outputs (e.g. generating diet quality scores, food groupings, etc), and making these available to the wider community.

20

Leading on nutrition data research activities for grant submission either by supporting grants or leading grants in FN-NBRI areas (e.g. around nutritional quality of plant-based diets, diet and sustainability etc), utilising FN-NBRI data resources.

15

Active dissemination and stakeholder activities related to food composition data, nutrition and health via social media, talks, scientific publications and popular articles

10

Contributing towards Nutritional Information Solutions, including calculating and checking nutritional labels for SMEs

5

Ensuring CoFID data are promptly updated within the food composition database manager (FoodCASE) and made available to the wider research community through FN-NBRI tools (e.g. the FN-NBRI searchable tool)

5

Training others on eg new plant bioactives data acquisition and input into the eBASIS database

5

Contributing to discussions of food data standardisation and FoodCASE with other European data compilers through EuroFIR working groups and lead on topics of FN-NBRI interest (e.g. industry data acquisition, protein, etc)

5

Deputising for the FN-NBRI Head and, as agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate to the post.

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

A BSc degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science or related discipline

Essential

A PhD degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science or related discipline

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Working knowledge of data analysis using R or Python

Essential

Knowledge and experience of using different dietary assessment tools (FFQs, Dietary logs, 24h recalls)

Essential

Knowledge of nutrition and health, in particular nutrients and their contribution to healthy diets

Essential

Knowledge or experience of handling food composition data and recipe calculation procedures

Essential

Knowledge of food composition data management tools

Desirable

Knowledge of dietary quality scores and generating them

Desirable

Driving licence

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience in working with multiple stakeholders (e.g. academia, government, industry)

Essential

Laboratory experience related to food analysis and quality assurance

Essential

Experience of generating and/or using food composition data (e.g. nutrient intake assessments, nutrition surveys, research studies)

Essential

Experience in contributing to applications and securing grant funding

Essential

Research experience and track record of scientific publications related to nutrition and dietetics

Essential

Management and Leadership

Requirement

Importance

Promotes and strives for continuous improvement

Essential

Ability to lead a team to achieve timely project delivery and motivate them towards a common goal

Essential

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

Essential

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

Essential

Promotes and strives for continuous improvement

Essential

Excellent time management and organisational skills

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

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, the group, and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours (experimental and computer work) when required

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 and Nutrition National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (FN-NBRI), is the leading national provider of new and continuously updated data, knowledge and tools relating to food composition, intake and food systems for use by different end-users including academia, industry, healthcare, government, consumers. FN-NBRI enables delivery of nutritional policy and high-quality science in support of current and emerging national needs in nutrition (food composition and intake), health (e.g., obesity, healthy ageing) and sustainability (environment, food security). We are working closely with QIB and external scientists to support higher-resolution nutrition data, new dietary tools, and integration of food & microbiome data to underpin high-quality research in plant-based diets, personalised nutrition & health, and in food safety of transforming UK food systems.
 

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Senior Research Scientist

Applications are invited for a highly motivated Research Scientist to join the Food and Nutrition National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (F&N- NBRI) at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB) to lead research activities around food composition data in nutrition, and coordinate analysis capabilities in dietary assessment research relevant for QIB and the wider research community.

Background:

The Food and Nutrition National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (FN-NBRI) is the leading national provider of new and continuously updated data, knowledge and tools relating to food composition, intake and food systems for use by different end-users including academia, industry, healthcare, government, consumers. We compile and publish data on the composition of foods eaten in the UK (McCance and Widdowson’s ‘The Composition of Foods’), which is used to provide the nutritional information for food labelling across the UK and the National Diet and Nutrition Survey for the Department of Health and Social Care. FN-NBRI enables delivery of nutritional policy and high-quality science in support of current and emerging national needs in nutrition (food composition and intake), health (e.g., obesity, healthy ageing) and sustainability (environment, food security). We work closely with QIB and external scientists to support higher-resolution nutrition data, new dietary tools, and integration of food & microbiome data to underpin high-quality research in plant-based diets, personalised nutrition & health, and in food safety of transforming UK food systems.

The role:

The post holder will be responsible for activities including:

(1) working with the FN-NBRI team and external stakeholders on new food composition data acquisition, ensuring the highest quality is maintained,
(2) developing data analysis capabilities from dietary assessment tool outputs for the wider research community,
(3) leading and supporting on FN-NBRI research grant proposals,
(4) coordinating food data standardisation activities, and
(5) developing training activities related to FN-NBRI core resources and capabilities. 

The ideal candidate:

This post will be well-suited to a PhD graduate in nutrition and a strong interest in food composition, food data harmonisation and dietary assessment. You will lead nutrition research that utilises FN-NBRI resources and be able to develop ideas into grant proposals ensuring FN-NBRI addresses and responds to the current and emerging needs of our users. You will have prior experience in undertaking qualitative and/or quantitative nutrition research, in particular investigating sustainable plant-based diets and health and instruments for dietary assessment. Finally, you will have strong interpersonal skills to facilitate interactions on a day-to-day basis with the team and external collaborators (researchers, academia, industry, healthcare), and be highly motivated and organised to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills. 

The post-holder will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills further through excellent training and development support provided by NBI (both professional and personal development) as well as benefit from our QIB mentoring programme.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £44,500 to £49,300 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post offered on an indefinite basis.

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.

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.

About the Quadram Institute:

The Quadram Institute is a new interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to understanding how food and microbes interact to promote health and prevent disease. Its mission is to deliver healthier lives through innovation in gut health, microbiology and food. A partnership between Quadram Institute Bioscience, the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and BBSRC, it brings together scientists and clinicians in a state-of-the-art building on the Norwich Research Park. This is one of Europe’s largest centres of life sciences and home of the John Innes Centre and The Earlham Institute. (https://quadram.ac.uk/).

The closing date for applications will be 28 January 2025

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