Senior Research Fellow in Food Aid and Food Systems

We are delighted to welcome applications for a Senior Research Fellow post within the FAIR-food project. FAIR-food is a UKRI funded project with the overall aim of supporting change in the food aid system, specifically food pantries in Southampton, the New Forest and the Isle of Wight.  

The postholder will be responsible for a range of activities to support FAIR-food, with excellent opportunities for collaboration and publication. The role will be responsible for supporting quantitative data analysis alongside community researchers; networking with food suppliers and aid providers to develop a novel online platform to improve food aid distribution within localities; estimating expected changes using systems dynamics modelling; preparing policy briefs and manuscripts for publication.  

This research position will be based in the School of Geography and Environmental Science within the Faculty of Environment and Life Sciences, where Professor Smith is based. You will be part of a supportive group including other project Researchers, the Research Administrator, the wider academic team and colleagues working in local government and third sector organisations.  You will have the opportunity to engage with colleagues across the University of Southampton in social sciences, public health and business.  

To be successful in the role you will have, or will be close to completing, a PhD (or equivalent professional qualifications) with strong quantitative research methods skills in a relevant discipline (e.g. geography, public health, social policy, epidemiology, operations research); have knowledge and expertise in quantitative data analysis; be skilled in the use of  data analytics tools e.g. R, Python; SPSS or other data analysis software; additional software such as STELLA or Vensim and GIS; have the ability to plan and organise work independently and as part of a team; and have the ability to write research presentations and papers for peer reviewed publication.  

The research fellow post is full-time fixed term until 31/03/2028, with potential to extend subject to funding 

Applications will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.  The title of Senior Research Fellow will be applied upon completion of PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.  

The School of Geography and Environmental Science is committed to fostering a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates, and particularly encourage applications from candidates belonging to groups who are under-represented within academic posts at the University, including, but not limited to: people from Black and minority ethnic groups; and disabled people.  We are a signatory to the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and can provide opportunities for career development and mentoring.  The School are committed to providing equal opportunities for all and offer a range of family friendly policies, flexi-time and flexible working. We are a Disability Confident employer and the School holds a bronze Athena SWAN award. 

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. Dianna Smith email: d.m.smith@soton.ac.uk