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- Tasks: Lead research projects on food authenticity and develop evidence for policy-making.
- Company: Join Defra, a key player in environmental and food sustainability.
- Benefits: Flexible working, career development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities to work across government departments.
- Why this job: Shape food policy and ensure consumer confidence in food quality.
- Qualifications: Strong scientific background and experience in research management.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people's lives. We are responsible for England's environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. Your role will be critically important to Defra's purpose to make our air purer, our water cleaner, our land greener and our food more sustainable.
This challenging and influential specialist role sits within the Agri-Food Science team, a multi-disciplinary, friendly and supportive team embedded within the Agri-Food Chain Directorate, which leads on a diverse and exciting range of food and farming policy. The team works flexibly, sharing skills and expertise to develop evidence to support science-driven policy that contributes to government's outcomes to create a healthier, more affordable, sustainable and resilient agri-food system.
This Higher Scientific Officer role involves a unique, exciting opportunity to lead evidence development across a portfolio of research under Defra's Food Authenticity R&D programme in response to evolving policy priorities. The programme develops analytical tools for food testing to authenticate food composition, quality and standards to support enforcement of food labelling rules and to ensure these are taken up and used by laboratories. This helps build capability in responding to food fraud incidents and supporting consumer confidence in food quality, composition and provenance.
You will be responsible for designing, commissioning, and managing research projects, providing quality assurance (QA) of evidence and analysis, interpreting data and statistical outputs, and translating evidence into advice for non-specialists to meet policy needs. You will also act as a subject matter expert, providing science advice on areas related to your technical background.
The role offers candidates the opportunity to work closely with policy customers, academia, other evidence specialists across Defra and other Government Departments to shape evidence and policy making. Using your scientific skills and expertise you will provide science leadership, policy-focused evidence development and technical science advice to support policy on ensuring consumer confidence in food and supporting a secure, productive and resilient food chain.
As a Higher Scientific Officer, you will provide specialist scientific expertise to support the design, development, and delivery of Defra's evidence-based agri-food policy and regulation. You will lead and manage research and evidence projects, translate complex scientific evidence for non-technical audiences, and work closely with policy teams and external experts to ensure decisions are underpinned by robust, proportionate evidence.
Responsibilities- Working with policy leads, internal analysts, external academic and industry experts (including two independent expert advisory groups on food authenticity) to identify emerging evidence needs, undertake horizon scanning and define new R&D proposals to address evidence gaps and strategic research needs.
- Leading a portfolio of research under the food authenticity programme - developing, procuring, managing, evaluating and communicating outcomes of R&D projects and supporting other project officers in the team.
- Ensuring that research in your portfolio area is high quality, consistent, and in alignment with policy objectives, and wider Defra strategic priorities.
- Providing scientific support flexibly across the wider team as required to support cross-cutting and high-profile Defra policy issues relating to agriculture and food.
- Leading on provision of technical/evidence-based advice including briefing Ministers and senior officials.
Science Specialist: Food Authenticity in London employer: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Contact Detail:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Science Specialist: Food Authenticity in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the Agri-Food Science field, especially those connected to Defra. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare to discuss your scientific background and how it relates to food authenticity. Be ready to share examples of your work that demonstrate your ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on current trends! Keep an eye on the latest developments in food policy and science. This will not only help you in interviews but also show your genuine interest in the role and its impact on consumer confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Science Specialist: Food Authenticity in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Science Specialist: Food Authenticity. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission at Defra, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant expertise!
Showcase Your Scientific Skills: This role is all about science leadership and evidence development. Be sure to include specific examples of your scientific work, especially any projects related to food authenticity or policy-making. We love seeing how you’ve applied your knowledge in real-world scenarios!
Keep It Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. Remember, we need to understand your qualifications quickly, so make your points clear and to the point.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
✨Know Your Science
Brush up on your scientific knowledge, especially around food authenticity and related analytical tools. Be ready to discuss how your expertise can contribute to Defra's goals of ensuring food quality and consumer confidence.
✨Understand the Policy Landscape
Familiarise yourself with current agri-food policies and how they impact food authenticity. This will help you articulate how your role fits into the bigger picture and demonstrate your commitment to supporting evidence-based policy making.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that test your ability to translate complex scientific data into actionable insights for non-specialists. Practice explaining your past research projects in simple terms, focusing on their relevance to policy needs.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Highlight your experience working with diverse teams, including policy leads and external experts. Share examples of how you've successfully managed projects and communicated outcomes, as teamwork is key in this role.