Research Impact Officer (ROW137R)

Type of contract: Fixed term until 31^st July 2025

The Rowett Institute is part of the University of Aberdeen, and is world-leading nutrition research centre, focussing on some of the key global challenges with regards to healthy and sustainable diets. The research contributes not only to new scientific knowledge, but also to new understanding to underpin Government policy and to inform innovation for industry leading to increased economic growth. Our main source of funding is from the Scottish Government funded Strategic Research Programme (SRP) which we deliver along with five other globally renowned institutes as part of Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutions. This position is based at The Rowett Institute and is funded for 18 months by the UKRI Transforming Food Systems team. The research grant award is for an interdisciplinary project called ‘DIO-FOOD’ to investigate diet and health inequalities among the most vulnerable citizen groups. It is linked to an existing grant award (www.abdn.ac.uk/rowett/research/fio-food/index.php) to examine food insecurity and obesity with emphasis on the retail food sector; there are 9 academic partners with a retailer partner, to deliver impactful science that supports interventions to transforming the UK food system for healthy people and a healthy environment.

You should be a motivated researcher with a PhD with fundamental expertise in a nutrition or food-related discipline, to drive impact activities within the team. The project will expand the existing FIO Food project scope of living with obesity to connect with vulnerable citizens who are facing diet and health inequalities. This requires an individual with excellent organisation and written/oral communication skills to support project goals. The post-holder will undertake science communication and impact activities for the DIO Food consortium, including liaison with FIO Food colleagues, with strong focus on improving outcomes for local communities through policy and practice. The consortium has 9 co-investigators across 6 institutions as well as a range of non-academic stakeholders. The candidate should have experience in working with the food, retail and policymaking sectors. You would be required to work within a multidisciplinary team to contribute to research and dissemination activities through publication and knowledge exchange, being mindful of this work as a potential case study for REF 2027 impact. The appointment will be under the direction of Professor Alexandra Johnstone at the Rowett Institute. The Rowett Institute has excellent facilities to support this work. Training will be provided to enable the successful candidates to extend and complement their existing skills. We will consider remote working.

Salary will be at the appropriate point on the Grade 6 scale, 50% of £37,999 to £41,421 per annum and negotiable with placement according to qualifications and experience.

Informal enquiries should be made to Professor Alexandra Johnstone, Personal Chair (07710 501939 / Alex.johnstone@abdn.ac.uk).

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Job Reference Number: ROW137R

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 19^th March 2025

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