Postdoctoral Research Associate in Food Insecurity Interventions - Grade 7

We are seeking an ambitious Postdoctoral Researcher with understanding of public health and household food insecurity and skills in evaluating complex interventions to be a part of a research programme trialling innovations in the food system.

The SALIENT consortium is drawn from eight universities (Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick, Birmingham, Hertfordshire, Liverpool, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Queen Mary University of London) and two research institutes (Nesta and the Behavioural Insights Team). It is funded by UK government departments (DEFRA, FSA, DLUHC, DHSC, DfE and the Cabinet Office) through the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The aim of SALIENT is to co-design and evaluate interventions that support healthier diets and reduce the environmental impacts of our food system, working with closely with stakeholders across the food system.

In this University of Liverpool-based post, the post-holder, with support and leadership from Dr Rachel Loopstra, will have a lead role in developing and conducting evaluation(s) of initiatives aiming to increase access to healthy food and improve well-being for people experiencing food insecurity and on low incomes. Trials will be conducted in partnership with community-based food aid organisations. The tasks of the post will involve close working with stakeholder partners, helping to develop the study protocol and data collection tools and procedures, literature reviews, frontline data collection using both qualitative and survey methods, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and all stages of the publication process. We expect that the results of the evaluation(s) will result in several high-quality scientific publications in addition to reports for frontline organisations and policymakers.

The evaluation(s) will be one of several trials that are implemented as part of the SALIENT programme. The appointed post-doctoral researcher will have opportunity to participate in the wider programme of research and work with members across the consortium, as well as benefit from the rich research environment in the Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems at the University of Liverpool.

Ideally, you will have experience conducting evaluations of complex public health interventions and knowledge and experience of working in the UK’s community food and support sector (or similar in another country context). Other relevant experience includes research in areas of food policy, dietary inequalities, food insecurity, and systems thinking, as well as experience working with stakeholders across the food system. You will be required to travel elsewhere in England regularly to undertake fieldwork and participate in research meetings. In particular, one trial will likely take place in London.

You should have:

• Experience of undertaking evidence syntheses
• Experience of designing and managing complex intervention evaluations
• Ability to conduct qualitative research including interviews and focus groups
• Ability to conduct survey research
• Experience analysing of qualitative and quantitative data
• Successful publication of first author, peer-reviewed research papers
• PhD in relevant subject, using mixed methods, and preferably with a focus on public health or evaluation of complex interventions
• Understanding and experience of assessments of the deliverability and evaluability of population health interventions
• Fluency in English
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• Strong skills and experience of working collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team
• Highly organised, able to prioritise and work efficiently to agreed objectives and timelines
• Motivated individual with a strong desire to learn and a willingness to contribute to the wider efforts of the research team
• Proven skills in working independently, an ability to solve research related problems and challenges, and to deal with uncertainty

This post is for a fixed-term contract with a current end date of 31^st March 2025 with possibility for a future extension.

You will have a PhD in a relevant subject area.

Any applicants who are still awaiting their PhD to be awarded should be aware that if successful, they will be appointed at grade 6, spine point 30. Upon written confirmation that they have been successful in being awarded their PhD, they will be moved onto grade 7, spine point 31 from the date of their award.

For full details and to apply online, please visit: recruit.liverpool.ac.uk