Do you have expertise in food science and technology that you want to apply to the food system to make a make a positive change?
The FoodSEqual project is part of the UK Transforming Food Systems initiative. It focuses on providing UK citizens of socio-culturally diverse disadvantaged communities with choice and agency over the food they consume. Our vision is to achieve this by co-developing new products, new supply chains and new policy frameworks that deliver an affordable, attractive, healthy & sustainable diet. The project is led by the University of Reading, collaborating with Cranfield University, and the Universities of Kent, Plymouth, and Sussex. The project has both nutritional and environmental goals; aiming to identify and implement innovation within the food system that will deliver improved nutritional public health and wellbeing for citizens from disadvantaged communities with enhanced environmental sustainability.
This postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for translating the co-created product briefs developed in an earlier stage of the project into concept products. This will require the researcher to develop pilot scale process for the production of the products. They will need to consider selection of raw materials and processing technology to ensuring best use of resources, while ensuring product safety, nutritional value and community expectations. The researcher will be responsible for managing and manufacturing the concept samples potentially in conjunction with industrial partners. These samples will be used by the sensory and consumer science team in the project to carry out consumer assessment and evaluation.
The role is offered on a full-time basis for a fixed-term period of up to 30 months.
You will have:
- A PhD in an appropriate area related to food science
- The skills and knowledge to develop and reformulate food products
- The skills and knowledge to lead on pilot plant manufacture of concept products
- Expertise in characterising food product shelf life, chemical, and physical properties.
- Excellent skills in data management and statistics
- Strong project management
- Knowledge of food safety
- Experience in working with a large and diverse range of partners
- Experience of writing research papers
Interview date: 19 May 2022
Informal contact details | Alternative informal contact details |
Contact role: | Professor | Contact role: | Professor |
Contact name: | Colette Fagan | Contact name: | Lisa Methven |
Contact phone: | 0118 3785363 | Contact phone: | 0118 3788714 |
Contact email: | c.c.fagan@reading.ac.uk | Contact email: | l.methven@reading.ac.uk |
Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants should ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement under the PBS. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.
The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and is a Diversity Champion for Stonewall, the leading LGBT+ rights organisation. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.