Researcher - South Yorkshire Food Network Feasibility Study

Fixed-term (6 months)

Full time (1 FTE - 37 hours/week)

Closing date 23/02/2025 at 23:30

Drive change. Shape the future. Make an impact.

Are you passionate about food systems, sustainability, and research that delivers real-world impact? Do you thrive on collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and innovative problem-solving? If so, this is the role for you!

At Sheffield Hallam University, we are looking for a Researcher to lead a groundbreaking feasibility study into establishing a South Yorkshire Food Network. This initiative, driven by the Advanced Food Innovation Centre (AFIC) and supported by the South Yorkshire Sustainability Centre, aims to transform the regional food system—enhancing sustainability, health, and economic resilience.

About the Role

As a Researcher, you will:

• Engage with key stakeholders, including local authorities, industry leaders, and social enterprises, to develop a well-connected food system network.
• Deliver research, innovation, and knowledge exchange (RIKE) activities that support regional social and economic development.
• Design and deliver events, training, and projects to drive engagement and impact.
  Produce high-quality research outputs, including reports and publications for diverse audiences.
• Help shape the future of food policy, sustainability, and economic growth in South Yorkshire.

About You

We’re looking for someone with:

• Experience in research and stakeholder engagement—within food systems, sustainability, or economic development.
• A strong understanding of RIKE and its role in driving regional change.
• A track record of delivering impactful research projects and producing high-quality reports.
• The ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary collaboration across academia, industry, and policy sectors.

A background in food systems would be an advantage, but your expertise in research, innovation, and stakeholder engagement is what truly matters.

Why Join Us?

• Work on a project that will shape the future of food sustainability and economic resilience in South Yorkshire.
• Be part of a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team tackling real-world challenges in food engineering, science, supply chain, and more.
• Gain exposure to policy, industry, and academic networks, making a tangible impact on the regional food landscape.

We offer a diverse range of benefits and opportunities to pursue a rewarding and fulfilling career in a supportive environment. 

You will be contractually enrolled into the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) – one of the largest and most generous defined benefit pension schemes in the country.

Find out more about the TPS

If you are, or have been, a recent member of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) directly prior to joining us, you can choose to opt out of the TPS and remain in the USS. Please contact the Pensions team to discuss options available.

For this job, we particularly welcome applications from minority ethnic applicants who are underrepresented in this area/ this type of job at Sheffield Hallam.

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international applicants in this role; this will depend on a number of factors specific to the individual applicant.

We welcome applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements.

To find out more, take a look at our guide to applying.

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