Research Fellow

The Hull York Medical School at the University of York is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced research fellow with extensive expertise in nutrition and dietary assessment to provide leadership support in the delivery of a programme of research that focuses on school food, inequalities, and health.

Nine million children attend school in the UK,where they eat 30-50% of their total food. School meals offer a critical opportunity to improve diet quality and health, particularly in deprived areas where children face poorer diets and higher rates of obesity and dental decay. With UK government standards updating in 2027, there is a key opportunity to elevate food quality. However, for real impact, meals must be nutritious, appealing, and widely eaten. Evolving political, social, and environmental landscapes mean further research is essential. This post will work on a programme of research related to school food in partnership with key policy decision makers and relevant national organisations.

The successful candidate will join the Public Health Nutrition group (under the direction of Professor Maria Bryant) and will be integrated within both the Hull York Medical School and the Department of Health Sciences (sitting within the Population and Society research group led by Professor Kate Pickett). You will be appointed by the Hull York Medical School and will be based on the York Campus, within the Department of Health Sciences, whilst also maintaining strong links with the relevant departments across the Campus

Role

In addition to conducting research, the post will provide direct oversight to less senior colleagues, particularly in nutrition research and dietary assessment activities. Research activities will include (and provide oversight to) data analysis and interpretation of research data; writing up of research results and dissemination through publications, seminar and conference presentations, partnership working (including local and national policy makers); data collection (including within schools); public engagement and outreach activities.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• Undergraduate degree in nutrition (preferably with dietetics) and a PhD in nutrition or public health nutrition
• Knowledge in public health nutrition and school food, and in a range of research techniques and methodologies, particularly related to dietary assessment
• Ability to lead and/or take responsibility for a small research project or identified parts of a large project
• Highly developed communication skills to engage effectively with a wide ranging audience, both orally and in writing, using a range of media
• Ability to supervise the work of others, for example in research teams or projects
• Ability to write up research work for publication in high profile journals and engage in public dissemination
• Competency to conduct individual and collaborative research projects

This is a part-time role (7.4 hours per week) available on a 3-year fixed-term basis from 4 January 2027 until 3 January 2030

Interview date: 04 November 2026

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Maria Bryant at maria.bryant@york.ac.uk

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview. Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.

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