Postdoctoral Research Associate (evaluating food marketing restrictions) [Fixed Term]

Postdoctoral Research Associate evaluating food marketing restrictions, Population Health Interventions Group, Institute of Metabolic Science (IMS) Epidemiology

IMS Epidemiology is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate with skills and experience in quantitative methods for evaluation of natural experiments to contribute to a multi-component evaluation of new restrictions on marketing of less healthy foods.

New restrictions on advertising of less healthy food and drinks online and on TV before 9pm were implemented in the UK in January 2026. Restrictions on price-based promotions of less healthy products in England were implemented in October 2025.

Based in the Population Health Interventions Group, the primary role of this post is to lead quantitative analyses exploring the impact of the new restrictions on: 1. household grocery purchasing, using data we will purchase from Worldpanel by Numerator; and 2. nutritional content of foods served by chain restaurants, using data from our MenuTracker database. We anticipate that both pieces of work will use of interrupted time series analysis methods.

Funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), we are conducting a multi-component evaluation of the restrictions. Across the whole evaluation, we will study impacts on marketing, availability and purchasing of less healthy products; model impacts on health and wider society; explore awareness and acceptability; and interrogate policy processes. The work is led from IMS Epidemiology and involves colleagues at the Universities of Oxford, Stirling, Exeter, Waterloo and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

You will be educated to PhD level in a relevant subject or due to complete within 3 months of applying. You will have proven skills and experience in quantitative methods for evaluation of natural experiments, such as interrupted time series or difference-in-difference analysis. A complete list of essential and desirable criteria for this post is provided in the further particulars. Your application is unlikely to be competitive if it does not provide clear and concise evidence that you meet all of the essential criteria.

This is a fixed-term position for 21 months. The role can be performed as a hybrid position, recognising that some tasks may only be performed on University premises.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above. 

Applicants must have (due to complete within 3 months of applying) a PhD.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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