PDRA Sustain-a-Bite at University of Oxford

The Food Group within the Environmental Change Institute (School of Geography and the Environment) seeks to appoint a Post-Doctoral Researcher for Sustain-a-Bite Project.

The Researcher will play an important role in the FoodCoST and Sustain-a-bite EU Horizon Europe research projects. The Researcher will report to Dr Steven Lord and Prof Michael Obersteiner in the Environmental Change Institute (ECI). The post holder will be a member of the ECI Food Systems Transformation research group.

The main activities for this post are to undertake research in the economics of food system transformation, build food system modelling capability in the ECI, apply the modelling through collaborative research with international partners including the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, and deliver tasks within the FoodCoST and Sustain-a-bite project. The role will involve new conceptual and quantitative probabilistic modelling of scenarios for uptake of low-processed plant-based ingredients in Europe and adapting existing computable general equilibrium models (CGEs) to examine labour and environmental implications from shift in production from the uptake scenarios. The role may also involve use machine learning methods to link food demand profiles in the CGE and dietary intake in households. The role provides an opportunity to engage with an extended network of public and private organisations concerned with the economic impacts of environmental and public health outcomes of food systems.

Reporting to Dr Steven Lord Senior Researcher Food Systems Transformation Group

The successful candidate will be required to;

• Hold a relevant PhD/DPhil, together with relevant experience and specialist knowledge for the role and its responsibilities
• Knowledge and experience with machine learning or economic modelling with Python or R programming languages
• Knowledge and experience in statistical modelling of uncertainty
• Ability to manage own academic research and associated activities
• Previous experience of contributing to publications
• Ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation in areas relevant to the ECI and the Food System Transformation group
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for high-level international publications, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings including international fora

Applications for this vacancy should be made online and you will be required to upload a CV and supporting statement as part of your application, explaining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for this post.

For further guidance and support, please visit  https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/how-to-apply

Enquiries may be directed to the  recruit@ouce.ox.ac.uk. The closing date for applications is midday on 27 Feb 2025, and interviews will be held on 12 March 2025