Research Associate; Human Nutrition

Research Associate (Human Nutrition)

School/Department:
School of Medicine & Population Health

Work Arrangement:
Part Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type:
Fixed-term

We have an exciting opportunity for a researcher with passion for multi-disciplinary translational biomedical research in the field of human nutrition.

The work is part of a NAPIC funded project that studies the nutritional potential of cultured meat. Identifying sustainable alternative proteins is essential for meeting the future protein needs of the world. Your work in the project will involve assessing the protein quality and digestibility of cultured meat that has been developed in the UK.

You will take the lead in establishing an optimised gastro‑intestinal digestion model that mimics human digestion for assessing the nutritional properties of cultured meat. You will conduct nutritional profiling of the products and their amino acid compositions and also provide training to the industry partner on these methods and help establish the methods in their labs. The work will involve using immunological and biochemistry methods for analysing samples for nutrients (such as kits and ELISA).

You will have a strong track record and understanding of lab research and bench top chemistry methods, with prior experience in the use of lab methods for food analysis. A strong understanding of protein and enzyme chemistry, and experience in establishing experimental methods and optimising them is essential. Applicants from a biological sciences and lab background, with a passion for nutrition and translation lab‑based research are encouraged to apply.

In addition, you will have strong spoken and written communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills to liaise with multiple partners including external collaborators.

• Lead the day‑to‑day running of the research project, including documentation and ordering consumables
• Develop the in‑vitro gastro‑intestinal digestion model and optimising it for data collection
• Conduct data collection experiments using the gastro‑intestinal model for measuring protein digestibility and protein quality in cultured meat samples
• Analyse digesta samples, and develop methods for estimating protein digestibility and protein quality
• Liaise with industry partner for obtaining samples and assisting with nutritional analysis
• Set up methods in industry partner site and provide training
• Analyse data obtained from experiments using appropriate statistical methods
• Report on progress and data to the Principal Investigator
• Assist in the preparation of papers for publication
• As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

• A good honours degree and postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience in biology or related area (assessed at application/interview)
• A PhD in biology or related field (assessed at application/interview)
• Experience in bench‑top chemistry methods such as in‑vitro gastro‑intestinal digestion models (assessed at application/interview)
• Experience in using gastro‑intestinal digestion models for assessing nutrition outcomes (assessed at application/interview)
• Proven ability to establish new lab methods based on the literature, and develop creative approaches for problem solving (assessed at application/interview)
• Strong understanding of enzyme activity kinetics (assessed at application/interview)
• Experience of working in chemistry/biochemistry labs (assessed at application/interview)
• Experience in analysing samples for metabolites or nutrients (assessed at application/interview)
• Data management and analysis skills (assessed at application/interview)
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise effectively with external stakeholders (assessed at application/interview)
• IT literate across a wide range of applications including Word, Excel, Google and Microsoft Teams (assessed at application/interview)
• Excellent…