Data Scientist in Food Systems (KTP Associate)

Fixed Term Contract – 36 months

Location: Moulton Bulb Company Ltd, Spalding 

Exciting KTP opportunity with Moulton Bulb Company Ltd and Cranfield University to transform industry understanding of fungal contamination caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae. 

About the Role

You will lead a project to reduce waste in the supply chain by implementing data collection, data-driven trials and analysis strategies, and embedding knowledge and expertise to transform industry understanding of fungal contamination caused by Fusarium, reducing onion losses from field to market. 

About You

This role requires strong skills in data acquisition, management and statistical analysis in food supply chain, with desirable knowledge of food microbiology and postharvest science. It suits someone able to implement solutions in a fast‑moving food system and experienced in analysing complex datasets. 

You should hold an MSc in a relevant food, data or microbiology field with statistics training, or a PhD in food microbiology or postharvest science. 

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here. 

You will be based at Moulton Bulb Company Ltd in Spalding and work closely with Andrew Fuller (Moulton Bulb supervisor), and with a team of academics at the Cranfield University Centre for Soil, Agrifood and Biosciences.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

Eligibility

An individual currently or previously employed by Moulton Bulb would not be eligible for the KTP Associate role.

Individuals who have already been a KTP Associate would not be considered an ideal candidate.

How to apply                                     

For an informal discussion, please contact Dr Carol Verheecke-Vaessen: c.verheecke@cranfield.ac.uk

To apply please click above 'Apply' Button. For further details contact peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk quoting 5258.

Closing date: 12 April 2026

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion survey deadline: 15 April 2026

(Mandatory but not part of selection; responses won’t be shared with recruiters.)

This partnership received financial support from the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) programme. KTP aims to help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK knowledge base. This successful Knowledge Transfer Partnership project, funded by UK Research and Innovation through Innovate UK, is part of the government’s Industrial Strategy.

Advert information