Research Associate

Atomic Layer Deposition; England; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research group in the UK seeks an early career researcher as a Research Associate for a multicenter project on enhancing snack food satisfaction. Candidates should have a PhD and strong analytical skills, with a focus on developing healthier food options through collaboration with industry partners. This role offers a unique blend of academic research and real-world application, contributing significantly to health and nutrition studies.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension and leave entitlements

Opportunities for career development

Qualifications

• Evidence of contributing independently to research studies.
• High-quality peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience in diet/nutrition, food science, health sciences, or health psychology.

Responsibilities

• Establish eating behaviour assessment protocols.
• Work with industry partner to develop healthier snack food products.
• Utilise randomised control trial methodologies to influence oral processing behaviours.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication

Education

PhD in relevant discipline

Job description

The Leicester Lifestyle Health and Research Group (LLHRG) are pleased to open recruitment for an early career researcher to join the group as a Research Associate.

The post-holder will work on an exciting new multicenter project examining the effects of altering the sensory characteristics of snack food products to enhance satisfaction and satiety. The role will involve establishing eating behaviour assessment protocols and working together with an industry partner to develop healthier snack food products. We will utilise randomised control trial methodologies to examine whether changing the sensory characteristics of snack items can influence oral processing behaviours and appetite, whilst maintaining consumer satisfaction.

The project is jointly funded by the Consumer Lab (one of six Diet and Health Open Innovation Research hubs funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)) and PepsiCo (one of the largest food and beverage manufacturers in the world). This funding structure provides a unique opportunity to merge academic interest with real-world application.

The LLHRG are part of the University of Leicester, Diabetes Research Centre (DRC), Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC), and NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre. The project will contribute to the diverse research portfolio in the area of 24-hour lifestyle behaviours, including physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep, and nutrition in the prevention and management of obesity and long-term conditions, such as type 2 diabetes.

LLHRG is one of the most prestigious Lifestyle as Medicine research groups in the UK, contributing significantly to the University of Leicester’s success, ranked second overall in the Sport and Exercise Sciences unit of assessment (UoA24) within the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, and first for output quality among 61 institutions. This success has led to £14 million in new funding from Research England’s Expanding Excellence in England scheme, enabling LLHRG to expand with 20 new staff members and 12 new PhD students, supported by new office and research spaces within Leicester General Hospital.

Please see the accompanying job summary form for full details of the role and responsibilities.

About the role

The Leicester Lifestyle Health and Research Group (LLHRG) are pleased to open recruitment for an early career researcher to join the group as a Research Associate.

The post-holder will work on an exciting new multicenter project examining the effects of altering the sensory characteristics of snack food products to enhance satisfaction and satiety. The role will involve establishing eating behaviour assessment protocols and working together with an industry partner to develop healthier snack food products. We will utilise randomised control trial methodologies to examine whether changing the sensory characteristics of snack items can influence oral processing behaviours and appetite, whilst maintaining consumer satisfaction.

The project is jointly funded by the Consumer Lab (one of six Diet and Health Open Innovation Research hubs funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)) and PepsiCo (one of the largest food and beverage manufacturers in the world). This funding structure provides a unique opportunity to merge academic interest with real-world application.

The LLHRG are part of the University of Leicester, Diabetes Research Centre (DRC), Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC), and NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre. The project will contribute to the diverse research portfolio in the area of 24-hour lifestyle behaviours, including physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep, and nutrition in the prevention and management of obesity and long-term conditions, such as type 2 diabetes.

LLHRG is one of the most prestigious Lifestyle as Medicine research groups in the UK, making a major contribution to the University of Leicester’s success at being ranked second overall in the Sport and Exercise Sciences unit of assessment (UoA24) within Research Excellent Framework (REF) 2021, and first for output quality among 61 institutions. This success has led to £14 million in new funding from Research England’s Expanding Excellence in England scheme, enabling LLHRG to expand with 20 new staff members and 12 PhD students, supported by new office and research spaces within Leicester General Hospital.

Please see the accompanying job summary form for full details of the role and responsibilities.

About you

As a Grade 7 Research Associate, you will have a PhD (or near completion) in a relevant discipline, evidence of contributing independently to research studies, and high-quality peer-reviewed publications. You will have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent communication, and the ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team. Experience in diet/nutrition, food science, health sciences, lifestyle sciences, or health psychology is especially welcomed. Experience with externally or industry-funded projects is advantageous.

Additional information

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr David Clayton at [e-mail].

Applications for job share will be considered. The role may also be seconded for existing staff, subject to discussion with line managers. More info on secondments can be found here.

The University of Leicester values diversity and inclusion, offering a supportive environment with competitive salary, pension, and leave entitlements, and opportunities for career development.

Vacancy terms: Full-time, fixed-term from 1 Jan 2026 to 31 Dec 2026.