Research Assistant in Novel Food Production

We’re looking for a hard-working researcher to help support the production of novel foods from grass funded directly from Green Britain Group (Ecotricity) as part of the BBSRC funded consortia: Pasture to Plate. 

Our vision is to maximise the food potential of UK pasture by using targeted chemical processing and novel biotechnology to convert grass into nutritious edible fractions for healthier and more affordable alternative foods, making UK agriculture more resilient and sustainable. 

In this project you will work with phenomenal team of researchers offering analytical support to extract and assess the nutritious components of the grass, and to support in the assessment of fermentation broths produced from a yeast grown on the grass derived sugars. 

You will join a dynamic team of scientists, engineers, food technologists and industrialists in developing a real workable solution to producing human food from grass and other waste materials.

You will be supported by researchers working on the conversion of the grass feedstock, on the fermentation of the material, the lifecycle and economic assessment, nutritional profiling and developing novel foods from the fractions that are produced to ensure the maximum impact of your work. 

While this role is for an initial 6 months with an expected end date of 30th September 2025, we would envision a successful candidate being a part of the journey for the longer term, subject to further funding. 

Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree in food science, food engineering, analytical chemistry, chemistry, chemical engineering, or relevant subject area. 

Successful applicants will also possess:

• A strong background and experience in one of these subject areas including strong analytical skills
• A track record in conducting high quality lab work
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams are essential

You’ll benefit from working in a dynamic multidisciplinary team based in the Department of Chemical Engineering. We are a top 10 department nationally, specialising in cutting edge sustainable technology development, including the development and optimisation of novel foods through cellular agriculture.

You will also work closely with Green Britain Group (Ecotricity), which was founded by Dale Vince OBE and is at the leading edge of projects designed to improve the sustainability of Energy, Transport and Food across the UK.

As a member of Research Staff you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

For an informal discussion please contact either Professor Chris Chuck at cc245@bath.ac.uk or Dr Hannah Leese, Reader, at hsl25@bath.ac.uk . 

What we can offer you:

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award . We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader ; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff .

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace  
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

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We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name, may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.