Research Associate

Tackle One of Today’s Biggest Health Challenges: Ultra-Processed Foods and Public Policy

Do you want your research to shape real-world policy on food and health? Are you driven by data, evidence, and impact?

The Centre for Health Economics & Policy Innovation (CHEPI) at Imperial Business School is recruiting two Research Associates to join our growing team at the intersection of economics, public health, and data science. You will contribute to cutting-edge research on fiscal and regulatory policies to reduce consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

Why This Role Matters

CHEPI is extending its research on how taxation, subsidies, and market regulation can create healthier food environments. These roles sit within two flagship NIHR-funded programmes:

• GOLDFINCH – Fiscal INCentives for Health through UPF Reduction – developing and testing UPF taxation policies using advanced microsimulation modelling (led by CHEPI).
• UPForesight – a collaborative programme led by Imperial’s School of Public Health, exploring how fiscal and non-fiscal levers can reduce UPF consumption and promote healthier diets.

Working at the interface of economics, epidemiology, and policy, you’ll join an interdisciplinary team applying rigorous quantitative analysis to one of the most important public health debates of our time.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and analyse fiscal and regulatory policy scenarios targeting UPFs.
• Build and refine data infrastructure to classify food purchases under multiple UPF definitions (NOVA and beyond).
• Contribute to the development and use of Health-GPS, our simulation platform for assessing long-term policy impacts.
• Analyse large-scale datasets and generate policy-relevant insights.
• Communicate findings through reports, academic papers, and policy briefs.
• Engage with government and international partners to translate research into impact.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking analytical, and policy-minded researchers with:

• A PhD (or near completion) in health economics, public health, epidemiology, data science, or a related field.
• Experience with quantitative policy analysis using econometric, statistical, or simulation methods.
• Strong coding and analytical skills (e.g. Stata, R, Python).
• The ability to translate complex evidence into actionable insights.
• A collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research.

We are particularly interested in applicants with expertise in demand modelling, taxation theory, or policy simulation, and will seek to appoint complementary skill sets across the two roles.

What We Can Offer You

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
• Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).
• Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
• Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

How to Apply

Interested? Apply online with:

• A cover letter describing your experience and motivation.
• Your CV.
• Contact details for two referees.

Further Information

Both posts are full-time, fixed-term for 24 months (with the possibility to extend), based at our South Kensington campus (hybrid).

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant.

For questions about the role, contact Prof. Franco Sassi (f.sassi@imperial.ac.uk).

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