Research Associate in Nutritional Physiology

Vacancy terms: Full-time, or job share considered, fixed term contract for 30 months

Hours per week: 37.5

About the role

The Leicester Lifestyle Health and Research Group (LLHRG) are pleased to open recruitment for an early career researcher to join the group as a Research Associate.

The post-holder will contribute to an investigator-led clinical trial investigating the role of a novel nutritional strategies in preserving skeletal muscle mass and function and supporting metabolic health outcomes in older adults undergoing pharmacological weight loss therapy. This project is supported by a leading global provider of premium healthcare nutrition solutions and builds on the established infrastructure and expertise of the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), including its ongoing work within the Opal Trial platform.

The LLHRG are part of the University of Leicester, Diabetes Research Centre (DRC), Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC), and NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre. The project will contribute to the diverse research portfolio in the area of 24-hour lifestyle behaviours, including physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep and nutrition in the prevention and management of obesity and long-term conditions, such type 2 diabetes.

LLHRG are one of the most prestigious Lifestyle as Medicine research groups in the UK, making a major contribution to the University of Leicester’s success at being ranked second overall in the Sport and Exercise Sciences unit of assessment (UoA24) within Research Excellent Framework (REF) 2021, and first for output quality (out 61 institutions nationally; Research Excellence Framework 2021 results | University of Leicester). This success has led to £14 million in new funding from Research England’s Expanding Excellence in England scheme which will enable LLHRG to expand. This includes 20 new staff members across academic, teaching, research, community engagement and administrative positions, in addition to 12 new PhD students. This expanding team will be supported by new office and research spaces within the Leicester General Hospital.

Our research encompasses epidemiology, experimental medicine, clinical trials and implementation, and applications are welcome across these areas of expertise.

Please see the accompanying job summary form for full details of the role and responsibilities.

About you

As a Grade 7 Research Associate, you will have a PhD in a relevant discipline alongside evidence of contributing independently to experimental or translational research studies and high-quality peer-reviewed journal publications. You will have strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, and excellent written and oral communication skills, with an ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team. You must also have the ability and willingness to learn, be able to synthesise evidence from various subject areas, and work closely with both academic and industry partners.

We particularly welcome applications from individuals with expertise in nutritional physiology and muscle metabolism, particularly in the context of ageing and weight management. Experience in human clinical trials involving nutritional interventions is highly desirable. Applicants should have experience in anthropometric and physiological assessments, including measures of body composition, muscle function, and morphology, and some proficiency in muscle and blood biochemistry techniques. Familiarity with stable isotope tracer methods to assess metabolic rates would be an advantage.

Please submit a CV including information of any research publications and a cover letter for review.

Additional information

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Professor Leigh Breen on L.Breen@le.ac.uk

Applications for job share will be considered.

Advert closes midnight on: 01 October 2025

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