R&D Sleep Scientist

Unilever PLC; Port Sunlight; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A global FMCG leader is seeking a Sleep Scientist for its Wellbeing Collective. The ideal candidate will lead research on sleep health and nutrition, collaborating across teams to develop innovative solutions. This role requires expertise in sleep science, a PhD or MSc in life sciences, and a minimum of 2-5 years' experience in relevant research. The position offers a hybrid working environment with competitive benefits, including a bonus and gym membership.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Subsidised gym membership

Discounted staff shop

Qualifications

• 2-5 years’ experience in nutrition and sleep research.
• Advanced knowledge in nutrition's role in sleep and overall health.
• R&D experience within FMCG or healthcare industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute projects for the Sleep Platform.
• Establish partnerships with research labs and institutions.
• Identify and track trends in sleep and nutrition.

Skills

Research experience

Strong networking skills

Innovation

Communication

Education

PhD or MSc in life sciences

Tools

Digital tools

Data analysis skills

Job description

Job Title

Sleep Scientist

Business Function

R&D Wellbeing Collective

Location

Port Sunlight Research Lab

Job Purpose

ABOUT UNILEVER:
With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.
At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our, collaborative, and flexible working environment. Our organizational ambition centres around creating workplaces that foster equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging across all aspects of our business. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.
WHO ARE WE?
We are the Global Wellbeing team focused on one of Unilever’s largest growth opportunities – the €140bn Wellbeing space defined by Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements (VMS).

OUR BUSINESS

Unilever’s Wellbeing Collective Group (WBC) holds the company’s functional nutrition brands and the portfolio of brands that includes Equilibra (Italy) and US acquired brands Olly, LiquidIV, Nutrafol, SmartyPants, Welly and Onnit. Each brand is completely unique and focused on giving consumers superior experiences within their respective spaces and target segments. We are committed to continue grow this strategic business for Unilever through a series of acquisitions and international expansion of acquired brands through Unilever’s scale and network in the markets.
We work in an agile, fast-moving environment, collaboratively within the team and with our Unilever colleagues around the world. We work in a project based networked way where everyone needs to be able to take a step back and think strategically as well as rolling up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, to be entrepreneurial and experiment as well as bringing in the best of Unilever and work the structures of a large company, to take charge and lead as well as follow and support others.
An important capability within the Science & Technology team for Wellbeing includes expertise in sleep science, a key research pillar. This ecosystem is aligned to long-term platform areas within the WBC, as well as in partnership with our operating company brands.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a highly skilled research scientist with expertise in sleep science. The role requires the ability to study different models (pre-clinical and clinical) as it relates to sleep health. This role works within a small agile core team and is part of a larger matrix organization. Strong people and networking skills and a true passion for innovation also required. The role reports to Research Design Associate Director, Nutritional Sciences and Innovation (NS&I), Wellbeing and will interface with the Global WBC teams and Operating Companies.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead, develop, and execute long term pipeline projects for the Sleep Platform for the Wellbeing Collective.
• Establish and manage external research partnerships with 3rd party contract research labs and academic institutions.
• Work across the Wellbeing Collective and Unilever R&D to identify and develop transversal pipeline opportunities.
• Interacts with internal stakeholders to share new scientific insights to the Collective.
• Develops scientific positions and viewpoints relevant to the business.
• Identify and tracks emerging trends and scientific developments within the fields of sleep, circadian rhythms, and nutrition.

Support (within the broader NS&I/ International team)

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Safety, Regulatory, Product Development, Science & Technology, and operating company experts.
• Support IP strategy for early-stage pipeline activities.
• Contribute to front end innovation activities including but not limited to workshops, prototyping and claim storming.
• Support claim substantiation activities as a subject matter expert as needed.

All About You

• PhD or MSc in life science disciplines such as nutritional sciences, neuroscience, or sleep and circadian health
• 2-5 years’ experience in nutrition and sleep research
• Knowledge and experience with digital tools, informatics, and large data analysis skills
• Advanced knowledge in roles of nutrition in sleep, which subsequently impact overall health and wellbeing
• Proven record in designing and conducting experiments to investigate the impact of nutrition on sleep and health
• R&D experience within the FMCG or healthcare industry preferred
• Industry experience or experience in collaboration with academic & industry partners, combined with project management experience desirable
• Demonstrate strong result focus and capacity to take initiative and be a self‑starter.
• Excellent communication skills and capacity to convey and adapt scientific information to non-expert audiences.

What We Offer

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.
Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family‑friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.
Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Unilever.