Research Assistant in Healthy Eating Initiatives in Out of Home Food Retail (ENVFS1147)

Grade 6 (£33,951 - £39,906 p.a.)

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

Do you have a background in nutrition research, and skills in undertaking quantitative (survey) and qualitative (interview) research studies?  Would you like to work in an Academic-Industry partnership to support population healthy eating in retail out of home food settings, such as takeaways and food to go services?

Funding from BBSRC Open Research Innovation Club (ORIC) ConsumerLab has been secured to work in partnership with an Out of Home (OOH) food retailer to evaluate consumer engagement and expectations of "health" in these popular food environments. Research results will support healthier out of home retail food environments and healthy eating.

As a Research Assistant you will undertake the day-to-day set-up and delivery of the research project working closely with the lead researcher in the School of Food Science and Nutrition and the Industry partner. You will undertake work in real-life settings with consumers from different backgrounds in Leeds communities and online.  Duties will include coordinating the planning of regular academic-industry meetings, undertaking a literature review and visualising and presenting findings. 

You will develop and deploy a survey instrument to address the research question, in collaboration with a National Panel. You will be involved in collecting, managing and analysing qualitative and quantitative data summarising findings in reports and research presentations, to be shared with stakeholders, including Industry, Civic, and Third Sector organisations online and at an event hosted in Leeds.

You will have an undergraduate or masters degree in nutrition, health or a related field and have experience in research methods and skills relevant to this work in a related nutrition, health, consumer or industry-related field. You will have demonstrable experience undertaking data collection, analysis, and reporting research findings.   

You will be able to evidence a positive and proactive attitude to solution seeking, and willingness to take the initiative and contribute to meet tight deadlines.

Please note that due to Home Office visa requirements, this role may only be suitable for first-time Skilled Worker visa applicants if they are eligible for salary concessions. For more information please visit: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

What we offer in return

•    26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!

•    Generous pension scheme options plus life assurance 

•    Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.

•    Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.

•    Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!  

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Dr Sally Moore, Lecturer in Nutritional Science

Email: s.moore2@leeds.ac.uk 

Closing Date: 10 Nov 2025

Section: Research

Salary: £33,951 to £39,906 per annum pro-rata