Postdoctoral Research Associate (LESS MALNUTRITION)

Job details

Contractual hours: 35

Region: South

Job category/type: Academic and Research

Job description

Fixed-term contract for 24 months (with a possible extension of up to 6 months)

Closing date: 23:59 Thursday 19 November 2026

By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants wishing to consider the SWR must ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement before applying. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website UK Visas and Immigration Website.

The Department of Agri-Food Economics and Marketing, in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join LESS MALNUTRITION (Local, Equitable, and Sustainable Solutions for Child Malnutrition in Africa). This 48-month Horizon Europe funded project, coordinated by Ghent University, brings together 18 African and European partners to develop ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) from locally available ingredients in Nigeria, Ethiopia and South Africa.

Reading leads Work Package 5 on the economic and innovation spill-over effects of using local ingredients in RUTF production. As lead researcher on WP5, working with the Principal Investigator, Professor Giacomo Zanello, you will:

• Map producers, consumers, markets and trade of candidate ingredients such as chickpea and soybean.
• Analyse household survey, price and agricultural data to assess effects on production, prices, diet costs, food security, and gender and equity.
• Conduct interviews and case studies with experts, entrepreneurs and RUTF manufacturers to identify innovation opportunities.
• Write journal articles, policy briefs and project reports, and present findings to academic and policy audiences.

You will work with partners across Africa and Europe, including Wageningen University and African RUTF manufacturers, and travel to consortium meetings and partner countries.

You will have:

• A PhD (or near PhD completion) or equivalent in agricultural or food economics, or a closely related social science discipline.
• The ability to carry out high-quality quantitative analysis of household survey, market or agricultural data using statistical software (e.g. Stata, R or Python).
• The ability to design and conduct qualitative research, including semi-structured interviews, and to analyse qualitative data systematically.
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals, appropriate to career stage.
• A good understanding of agri-food systems, agricultural markets and food security in low- and middle-income countries.

The School is ranked 19th in the world for Agriculture and Forestry (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026). You will join a supportive, international community with access to researcher development, and be encouraged to build your profile through first-authored publications.

Interviews will be held week commencing 7 December 2026, either online or in person depending on availability.

Contact details for advert

Contact Name, Job Title and Email address

For informal enquiries, contact Professor Giacomo Zanello, Principal Investigator, g.zanello@reading.ac.uk

We welcome applications from both external and internal candidates. As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role can be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Internal candidates should discuss this with their line manager prior to applying.

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

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