Applications are invited for a Senior Research Scientist to join the Food Databanks National Capability (FDNC) at the Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB).

Background:

FDNC (https://fdnc.quadram.ac.uk/) generates, uses and provides data on the composition of foods eaten in the UK which underpins food, nutrition, health research and policy.  This data provides nutritional information for food labelling and intake leading into wider research into links between diet and health at the Quadram Institute and across the UK biosciences community, helping to inform policy to promote a healthy lifestyle.

FDNC is vital for UK public health with respect to understanding the patterns and trends in food composition and consumption, their effects on health as well as in the development of healthier food products. FDNC provides new and updated data and knowledge, helping stakeholders extract maximum value from the data. In research and innovation, FDNC supports science in Quadram Institute Bioscience and in multidisciplinary research projects at the national and international level, as well as food and health research infrastructures related to the use of food composition data and dietary assessment tools. We work with the food industry, particularly SMEs, on training, data and support for reformulation, nutrition and health claims. The data we curate are an important resource for dietitians, nutritionists and health professionals. Consumers benefit through improved care and advice based on research, dietary monitoring and production of healthier products.

The Role:

Applications are invited for a project scientist to work in the Food Databanks National Capability on an European Innovation & Technology (EIT) Food-funded project delivering a digital platform supporting personalised nutrition services in Europe.

The main duties of the role include support for the Scientific Leader to ensure the project is delivered in a timely and effective manner, and prepare proposals for further funding.

Specific activities include project management and dissemination, liaison with partners and external collaborators, organising meetings and workshops. Depending on the scientific and technical background of the successful candidate, they will also contribute to selected tasks including (a) business development and governance of the platform and creations of a scientific advisory board; (b) development of datasets and knowledge rules to support the platform and associated tools.

The ideal candidate:

Applicants should have a background in food, nutrition and health research with project management experience, ideally in EU-funded projects.

An MSc or BSc (or equivalent) in nutrition or food science or a related field is essential, as are outstanding personal initiative and communication skills.

Previous experience (either academically or commercially) in personalised nutrition research and/ or services would be an advantage as would experience of working with biotech SMEs.

This is not a technical role, but the individual must understand the relevant nutrition and health research as well as ICT issues underpinning delivery of data and knowledge for SMEs, particularly developers, in the health and well-being sector.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £39,150 to £47,850 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.  This post is for an initial contract of 8months with a possible further 12 months extension.

For further information and details of how to apply, please visit our web site https://jobs.quadram.ac.uk or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450462 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk  quoting reference 1003397.

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 at the forefront of a new era in food and health research. It brings together clinical and non-clinical scientists in a new state-of-the-art building due for completion in 2018. It is based on the Norwich Research Park, one of the largest centres of life sciences in Europe, and home of the John Innes Centre, The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, The Earlham Institute and the University of East Anglia.

The closing date for applications will be 17^th April 2018.

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