Research Fellow in Transforming Food Systems 

School/department: University of Sussex Business School, Management
Hours: Full time hours considered up to a maximum of 1 FTE. Requests for flexible working options will be considered (subject to business need).
Contract: Fixed term for 4 years and 7 months.
Reference: 5826
Salary: Starting at £33,797 to £40,322 per annum, pro rata if part time.
Placed on: 29 April 2021
Closing date: 24 May 2021. Applications must be received by midnight of the closing date.
Expected interview date: 20 May 2021
Expected start date: 1 June 2021 (or as soon as possible)

Job description

The University of Sussex Business School is seeking to appoint a Research Fellow in Transforming Food Systems to work with Dr Elaine Swan and Dr Katerina Psarikidou on a 5-year project funded by the UKRI ‘Transforming Food Systems’ Strategic Priorities fund. The project builds on a strong collaboration between the Universities of Reading, Sussex, Plymouth, Cranfield and Kent, plus numerous partners from community and civil society organisations, the food sector and the policy world.

Working closely with the Women’s Environmental Network (Tower Hamlets, London) and the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership (East Sussex), the project led by Sussex is titled “Co-production of healthy, sustainable food systems for disadvantaged communities”. Based on the principles of research co-production, the project is envisioned to provide citizens of socio-culturally diverse communities with choice and agency over the food they consume, the chains through which they access their food, and the policy frameworks that are needed to support the vision of a more inclusive and socio-environmentally just agrifood system for all.

The Research Fellow will:

• To undertake fieldwork and other research activities
• To co-lead the research design, analysis, and writing 
• To support a team of local community researchers
• To support the Sussex (and national research team) to meet project deliverables
• To network with local/national research teams and other partners
• To collate/write-up findings and contribute to peer reviewed publications and future funding bids
• To disseminate results whilst considering research/social impact

Essential criteria for the position are:

• A PhD (obtained at the time of the appointment) in social theories and methods in critical food studies: for example, food sustainability, science and technology studies, feminist and critical race studies of food or sustainability, food justice, critical policy
• Able to travel for field work (at up to 2-3 weeks at a time), project meetings and conferences subject to COVID pandemic conditions.
• Strong knowledge of and methods training and experience in qualitative methodologies including field research, participatory, creative and/or co-production methods, interviewing, documentary, media and textual approaches, online and digital methods
• Evidence of the ability to communicate effectively to academic, policy and non-academic audiences including communities across various media.

Please contact Dr Elaine Swan and Dr Katerina Psarikidou for informal enquiries.

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

How to apply

Download our academic application form [DOC 199.50KB] and Personal details and equal opportunities form [DOC 110.00KB] and fill in all sections.

Email your completed application, and personal details and equal opportunities form, to usbsrecruitment@sussex.ac.uk 

You should attach your application form and all documents to the email in PDF format (we are unable to accept applications as google.docs or .pages) and use the format job reference number / job title / your name in the subject line.

You can also send your application by post to Human Resources Division, Sussex House, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RH.