Senior Research Scientist in Norwich

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:

• Working with the FN-NBRI team and external stakeholders on new food composition data acquisition and reporting, ensuring the highest quality is maintained.
• Developing data analysis capabilities from dietary assessment tool outputs for the wider research community.
• Leading and supporting on FN-NBRI research grant proposals.
• Coordinating food data standardisation activities.
• 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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Active dissemination and stakeholder activities related to food composition data, nutrition and health via social media, talks, scientific publications and popular articles.
• Contributing towards Nutritional Information Solutions, including calculating and checking nutritional labels for SMEs.
• Overseeing CoFID data prompt updates within the food composition database manager (FoodCASE) and ensuring they are made available to the wider research community through FN-NBRI tools (e.g. the FN-NBRI searchable tool).
• Training others on e.g. new plant bioactives data acquisition and input into the eBASIS database.
• 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).
• As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate to the post.

Education & Qualifications Requirement:

• 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:

• Knowledge of handling food composition data and recipe calculation procedures - Essential
• 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 of dietary quality scores and generating them - Desirable
• Knowledge of food composition data management tools - Desirable

Experience Requirement:

• 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
• Experience in working with multiple stakeholders (e.g. academia, government, industry) - Essential
• Laboratory experience related to food analysis and quality assurance - Desirable

Management and Leadership Requirement:

• 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:

• 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

Additional Requirements:

• Promotes equality and values diversity - 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
• Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work - Essential
• Attention to detail - Essential
• UK driving licence (reasonable adjustments will be considered for candidates with a disability) - Desirable

Who We Are:

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.