Research Fellow (Fixed term)

We are looking to appoint a highly motivated researcher to work on an externally funded EPSRC multi-disciplinary project on designing a digital hub for circular food systems in the UK. The project team consists of researchers across sustainability, food systems, operations and supply chain management, computer science, environmental and animal science, and environmental statistics. 

The successful candidate will work on modelling, analysis, and optimization of circular agri-food supply chains in the UK with a broader emphasis on identifying data-driven and practical solutions to minimize food waste and effective utilization of food surplus, while meeting wider economic and environmental objectives. The researcher is expected to have expertise in mathematical modelling and optimization techniques, as well as an in-depth understanding of contemporary issues in supply chain management. 

The candidate should hold a doctoral degree in a relevant discipline (such as for e.g., management science, operational research, operations management, supply chain management, business and management etc). Previous experience (in practice or research) in agri-food supply chains will be preferred. 

The researcher will be based in Nottingham University Business School and will interact with project team members from other departments at the University of Nottingham as well as researchers from other universities involved in this project (University of Bristol and Loughborough University). The project requires interactions with various non-academic actors in the agri-food supply chain in the UK and this will also be central to this role. 

We are looking for a self-driven researcher who is passionate about sustainability and keen to deliver positive socio-environmental impact across the food system and the broader environment. 

Specifically, the role holder will have the following responsibilities.

1) Engage with various actors in the UK apple supply chain to gather relevant qualitative and quantitative data on product flows, surplus and waste, as well as key economic , environmental and other decision parameters at different echelons. This is expected to lead to a value-chain map of the circular agri-food supply chain.

2) Apply appropriate mathematical modelling and optimization techniques to analyse and optimize the circular supply chain to generate solutions that meet the economic, environmental, and wider societal objectives.

3) Disseminate results from their research to both academic and non-academic audiences and gather feedback to validate and/or improve solutions.

4) Engage with project team members to support the development of the project and digital hub.

5) Pursue development of research reports and research articles for publication in leading relevant peer-reviewed journals. 

6) Support the project team in dissemination of research outputs to wider audiences.

Your work will be supported by Prof Anne Touboulic at the University of Nottingham, Dr Anshuman Chutani at Loughborough University, and our partners at University of Nottingham and University of Bristol, as well as with external partners and actors in the agri-food supply chain. In the role, you will be encouraged and facilitated to develop your research portfolio and profile.

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