Research Fellow in Nutritional Sciences

Nutritional Sciences

Location: Guildford
Salary: £36,024 to £38,205
Post Type:  Full Time
Closing Date: 23.59 hours GMT on Tuesday 31 October 2023
Reference: 048423

Applications are invited for a motivated post-doctoral Research Fellow to investigate associations between plant-based diets, iodine intake, and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. This post will be under the direct supervision of Dr Sarah Bath, Senior Lecturer in Public Health Nutrition within the Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences, in the School of Biosciences. This position is fixed term, with funding for full-time post for 12 months. An office at the University of Surrey in Guildford can be available, but this role can also be completed remotely. The latest start date is 1^st January 2024, but exact date can be discussed at interview.

About the project

The project will investigate whether a dietary risk score that considers both iodine intake and iodine inhibitors (in the context of a plant-based dietary patterns) can predict mother's iodine status and thyroid function in pregnancy, and also child cognitive outcomes (e.g., IQ). The post will involve investigating this research question using existing data from a large UK pregnancy cohort study (ALSPAC) and will involve extensive statistical analysis.

About the applicant

The applicant should have a doctoral degree in a relevant discipline (ideally involving nutrition research). Competency in handling data and experience of advanced statistical analysis (e.g. linear/logistic regression) using software (e.g. SPSS) is essential.  Ideally, the applicant will have experience and knowledge of iodine research, and dietary assessment methods. Good communication skills and scientific writing skills (as evidenced by authorship of peer-reviewed publications) are also important. The post holder should have skills in project management, organisation and using academic judgement. They will need to be able to work independently and be highly motivated.  

About the research group and the University

The successful applicant will be part of the Iodine Research Group, led by Dr Sarah Bath. Our group examines the effects of iodine deficiency during pregnancy and the dietary sources of iodine. We are currently exploring the effect of plant-based diets on iodine status, and the variability in the iodine concentration of milk and dairy products.  The successful applicant will participate in our regular research meetings.

The Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences was the awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its teaching and research in food and nutrition in 2017, and you can read more about the department on the website.  

For informal enquires about the post, please email Dr Sarah Bath (s.bath@surrey.ac.uk).

Interview date: w/c 13 November 2023 (exact dates TBC)

Further details:    Job Description

For more information and to apply online, please download the further details and click on the 'apply online' button above.

In return we offer a generous pension, relocation assistance where appropriate , flexible working options including job share and blended home/campus working locations (dependent on work duties), access to world-class leisure facilities on campus, a range of travel schemes and supportive family friendly benefits including an excellent on-site nursery.

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.

The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all.  We place great value on diversity and are seeking to increase the diversity within our community.  Therefore we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities.