Research Fellow in Food Systems Transformation (Systems Thinking and Practice)

Fixed Term, Full Time 35hrs per week
March 2024-Feb 2027

We are looking to hire a highly motivated Research Fellow in Food Systems Thinking (Grassroots and Community), with excellent research, communication, organisational and interpersonal skills, to work on our new Wellcome Trust Living Good Food Nation Lab project (https://wellcome.org/grant-funding/people-and-projects/grants-awarded/building-health-centred-net-zero-aligned-food ).

This project is closely linked to exciting new Scottish legislation, the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act, and aims to support its ongoing implementation. Led by University of Edinburgh Business School, our transdisciplinary team brings together academic, governmental, public sector and 3rd  sector partners with expertise in nutrition and public health, environmental modelling, public food procurement, food policy and governance, anthropology, and sociology, of food, food and procurement law, social policy, behavioural change, and food systems transformation. 

This post is advertised as full-time (35 hours per week) however, we are open to considering part-time (4-5 days) and/or flexible working patterns.  We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working with a minimum requirement for 2 days/week on campus working.

The Opportunity:

Working closely with Dr Niamh Moore (Unit Lead – Grassroots Unit), the Research Fellow in Food Systems Transformation (Grassroots and Community) will undertake research including in-depth case studies on a selection of Scottish grassroots, community-based food systems transformation initiatives, exploring their role in, and their visions and activisms towards, a transformed food system.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• PhD (or near completion) in relevant social science or analogous field with experience of community based qualitative research or equivalent professional community level research experience. 
• Experience in undertaking in-depth qualitative research in particular interviews and case study-based research
• Experience in conducting research on, or working with, grassroots/community food initiatives
• Skills in writing for academic and/or other stakeholder audiences, evidenced by authoring and delivering policy reports and briefings, stakeholder reports, presentations and/or peer-reviewed publications.
• Highly organized and adept at multi-tasking.
• Proven ability to work independently and as a member of a diverse team.
• Interest in Food Systems Transformation in Scotland.