Here we look at academic research jobs in nutrition, the qualifications and experience you will need and opportunities for career progression.
Nutrition and dietetics research encompasses a wide range of projects, from public health nutrition to clinical dietetics and applied nutrition science.
Working alongside biomedical scientists and clinicians, academic nutritionists and dieticians contribute to essential research which drives society-wide health policy.
Areas of nutrition and dietetics research include:
- Food quality, production and health
- Children’s health and diet
- Public health nutrition and policy
- Patient care and outcomes
- Diabetes research
- Cancer and immunology research
- Nutritional epidemiology
- Global nutrition
Job Descriptions
- Postdoctoral Researcher – Nutrition and Public Health
- Research Technician – Nutritional Sciences
- Research Associate – Nutritional Epidemiology
Postdoctoral Researcher – Nutrition and Public Health
Researchers in nutrition and public health study how dietary factors affect different sections of the population. Working within multi-disciplinary groups, their research focuses on specific aspects of public health, such obesity or diabetes.
Duties:
- Collecting health data and carrying out quantitative research
- Designing, executing, analysing and disseminating studies which test the effects of public health initiatives (e.g., calorie labelling)
- Liaising with fellow researchers both nationally and internationally
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A PhD in an area related to public health nutrition would be essential for a postdoctoral research or research associate position. Depending on the role, you may also need previous experience of a similar research programme.
What’s the pay?
Salaries for postdoctoral researchers depend on the research area and length of project. However, you can generally expect to start on around £33,327 to £40,928, p.a., depending on previous research experience and outcomes.
What can it lead to?
On completion of several projects in your field of expertise, you could secure a post as a senior research associate. Alternatively, you may decide to combine your research with teaching duties as a lecturer.
Where can I find jobs?
Postdoctoral researchers in nutrition work in higher education or within research foundations, charities, the food industry or helping to develop government policy and strategy. Most postdoctoral research roles are fixed-term for the duration of a project.
Find postdoctoral research in nutrition jobs here
Research Technician – Nutritional Sciences
Research technicians spend most of their time in a university laboratory. They would also support learning by teaching and supervising experiments carried out by nutritional sciences students.
Research technicians play a central role in the practical elements of running a research project.
Duties:
- Assisting in the management and operation of a laboratory and related facilities
- Contributing to and development of research projects within nutritional sciences
- Leading practical classes in a laboratory environment
- Providing technical support to students undertaking taught practical sessions and research projects
- Training and advising staff in laboratory techniques
What qualifications and experience do you need?
As this is a technical role, a PhD is not always necessary. A first degree (or equivalent) in a related subject and previous experience of working in a laboratory environment in the field of nutrition would be essential.
You would also be expected to have a thorough working knowledge of health and safety procedures.
What’s the pay?
Research/laboratory technician salaries start in the range of £26,341 to £29,924 p.a. and can be higher for senior technician jobs.
What can it lead to?
A research/laboratory technician role is a great place to start if you are looking to pursue an academic career in nutritional science. The skills and technical knowledge you will gain would be essential for participation in future research projects. You might want to consider carrying out doctoral studies to move into a research associate or lecturing role.
Alternatively, you could continue on a research technician path by applying to manage a laboratory as a senior research technician.
Where can I find jobs?
You will find research or laboratory technician jobs in universities, the NHS, the food industry, research institutions and government agencies.
Find research technician in nutritional science jobs here.
Research Associate – Nutritional Epidemiology
Researchers in nutritional epidemiology study the relationship between dietary factors and disease. They work in universities, the NHS or government agencies as part of academic teams specialising in epidemiology, public health and biomedicine.
Duties:
- Conducting qualitative and quantitative research
- Collection and analysis of health data using specialist statistical computer software
- Collaborating with researchers, government agencies, the NHS and external health programmes to formulate policy
What qualifications do you need?
A PhD in nutrition and epidemiology (or related area) and considerable experience of qualitative and quantitative research methodology would be essential for nutritional epidemiology research roles. Depending on the role, a background in working with patients as a dietician may also be essential.
What’s the pay?
Most research associate positions are offered on a fixed-term basis and have a salary range of £31,406 to £40,927 p.a., depending on qualifications and experience.
What can it lead to?
A research associate role is an excellent opportunity for postdoctoral researchers to progress their academic research career in nutrition and public health.
The research skills you gain can enable you to apply for more senior, research fellowship jobs and look towards permanent academic roles in higher education.
Where can I find jobs?
Research into areas of epidemiology have been brought into sharper focus since the coronavirus pandemic, as the world recognises the need for new research and policy in this field.
However, all research jobs are project and funding-dependent, so contracts are offered on a fixed-term, temporary basis for the duration of a research project.
Find research associate jobs in nutrition here.
Further Information:
- Academic jobs in Nutrition
- Lecturing jobs in Nutrition
- Senior-level academic jobs in Nutrition
- Becoming a dietician – NHS Careers
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