Research Fellow in Regulation Alternative Protein; NAPIC- Pillar

Research Fellow in Regulation for Alternative Protein (NAPIC
- People Pillar)

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The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

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Overview

We are thrilled to offer an exciting opportunity for a Research Fellow to join the National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC).

As NAPIC's lead researcher on the legal framework governing alternative proteins, you will contribute to cutting‑edge interdisciplinary research across the Centre, collaborating with scientists, engineers, social scientists and NAPIC's industrial partners to translate scientific innovation into real‑world impact. In addition to conducting research, the Research Fellow will contribute to NAPIC's capacity‑building activities by delivering training on food law and regulation, international legal frameworks such as the World Trade Organization's Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), and other legal issues relevant to the development, commercialisation and international trade of alternative proteins.

NAPIC is a £38m entity (including a £15m UKRI investment) to lead the UK’s Alternative Protein Knowledge and Innovation ecosystem. NAPIC’s vision is to make alternative proteins mainstream for a sustainable planet. The centre is led by the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, Imperial College London and the James Hutton Institute, in collaboration with over 100 national and international partners. NAPIC is a cohesive pan‑UK centre poised to revolutionise the UK’s agri‑food sector by harnessing our world‑leading science base through a co‑created alternative protein strategy across the Discovery → Innovation → Commercialisation pipeline to support the transition to a sustainable, high growth, blended protein bioeconomy.

NAPIC features four integrated activity streams, research to address innovation challenges, a national alternative protein knowledge base, a roadmap for a national protein strategy for the UK; workforce of the future; and accessible Innovation facilities.

NAPIC includes alternative proteins for food and feed applications so regulation concerning novel foods, animal welfare and standards for feed, and regional and international trade including deforestation regulation’s impacts on access to inputs like soya etc are critical to the work that the Research Fellow will undertake.

Based at the University of Sheffield, this role is part of the People Pillar and the Research Fellow will conduct research which will identify, interrogate and inform the multiple interconnected regulatory pathways and barriers to support the innovation challenges of NAPIC.

The NAPIC innovation challenges can be read in more detail here , and include:

Unlocking Nature’s Potential

Protein Discovery

Structuring for Functional and Nutritional Benefits

Enabling Sustainable Bioprocessing at Scale

New Metrics and Standards for Product Quality and Environment

Acceptability and Accessibility

Main duties and responsibilities

As a Research and Innovation Fellow, your main duties will include:

• Designing, planning and conducting a programme of investigation, in consultation with senior academic colleagues in NAPIC

• Developing research that identifies how legal and regulatory frameworks can support responsible innovation,…