Research Fellow in Nutritional Epidemiology

Location: Leeds - Main Campus

Contract type: Fixed Term (for 27 months from 15^th September 2025)

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have an established background in nutritional epidemiology or public health related research? Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities?

We are seeking an experienced Research Fellow to join the Nutritional Epidemiology Group (NEG) to support an exciting new project: Evaluation of the School Fruit and Veg Scheme. The project will find out whether the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme (SFVS) supports higher intakes of fruits and vegetables in children.   

This project involves a multi-disciplinary team across two Universities: the University of Leeds and Northumbria University. Participants from the Northeast and Yorkshire and Humber will be included. Fieldworkers will visit 40 schools in total across the two regions to observe and record what children eat during the school day. Children in Reception/Year 1/Year 2 will be included. Parents will record intake at home. Children from Year 2 will be followed up in Year 3 when they are no longer eligible for the SFVS to see if things change. Quantitative and qualitative data will be collected through interviews and focus groups. A Research Fellow will also be appointed at Northumbria University to focus on data collection in the North East. The two research fellows will work closely together.

You will have a PhD (or near to competion) in Nutritional Epidemiology or a closely allied discipline together with a strong background in nutritional epidemiology or public health related research. You will also have a positive approach to collaborative research, with experience in quantitative analysis of large datasets using statistical software. In addition, you will have excellent time management, planning, and verbal and written communication skills, with an aptitude for working with diverse team members on multi-disciplinary projects. 

Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information please visit: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information please visit: www.gov.uk/global-talent

What we offer in return

• 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance– the University contributes 14.5% of salary
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Professor Janet Cade

Email: j.e.cade@leeds.ac.uk

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