Food Surveys and Composition Data Scientist

Job Description

Job title: Food Surveys and Composition Data Scientist

Company: Quadram Institute Bioscience

Job description: Applications are invited for a highly motivated Graduate Scientist to join the Food and Nutrition National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (F&N- NBRI) at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich UK. This post will support the generation of high quality food composition data for the Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset.

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 for Mccance & Widdowsons’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 (previously Public Health England).

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 undertake some aspects relating to the generation of new food composition data for key foods and the publication of data in a variety of formats.

The post holder will be responsible for activities such as

• Assisting in the design of studies, sample, and preparation and cooking of foods for analysis
• Compiling and evaluating data from different sources, recipe calculations, and their publication
• Inputting food composition data into the data management software FoodCASE with FoodEX2 codings and other documentation, and adding bioactive content in eBASIS
• Assisting with other research projects related to food composition, food intakes and healthy diets, and supporting Nutritional Information Solutions
• Contributing to the collation and drafting of blogs, scientific reports, and publications.

The ideal candidate:

This post will be well-suited to a graduate in nutrition, dietetics, food science or related disciplines, with a strong interest in food and nutrition. A MSc qualification is preferred, however candidates with a BSc with relevant experience will also be considered.

The ideal candidate will have prior experience in handling food data, preferably both nutrient and plant bioactive data, as well as recipe calculation procedures for assessing nutrient quality. They will have strong organisation skills with an aptitude for using existing and new data management software, and they will also be able to work effectively towards defined timelines. The post holder will have strong interpersonal skills to facilitate interactions on a day-to-day basis with the team and external collaborators, and be highly motivated and organised to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £27,750 to £34,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of 24 months with a possibility of extension depending on funding.

For further information and details of how to apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or quoting reference 1004583. 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. ( ).

The closing date for applications will be 1 February 2024.

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

£27,750 to £34,500. Grade: SC7

Expected salary: £27750 – 34500 per year

Location: Norwich

Job date: Wed, 10 Jan 2024 08:04:46 GMT

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