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Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Research Associate in Food Systems and Gender Analysis

University of Bristol
Bristol

Posted: 28 Apr 2025

Deadline: 22 May 2025

Compensation: £38,249 pro-rata

Living Wage employer

Paid

Job description

We are looking to appoint a researcher (0.80 FTE – four-year role) that will become a key member of the UKRI international collaboration “Observatory for Research and Practice on Food Systems and Social Reproduction”, an innovative multi-country research project between the University of Bristol (UK), Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS - South Africa), and the University of Ghana. You will be based at the University of Bristol Business School. The role is a unique opportunity to contribute to shape the future of the UK food system, through cutting-edge interdisciplinary research at the intersection of food systems and gender justice.

We are looking for someone to lead and conduct research on the interactions between food systems and social reproduction, using mixed-method and participatory research approaches. You will play a central role in producing high-impact research, shaping policy discussions, and engaging with diverse stakeholders, including academics, policymakers, NGOs, and local communities.

What will you be doing?

• Conduct interdisciplinary research on food systems, feminist theories.
• Lead a scoping exercise to analyse food policy environments, care economies, and dietary trends in the UK.
• Design and carry out fieldwork across different segments of food systems in the UK, using mixed-methods approaches including interviews, ethnography, creative methods, quantitative surveys.
• Develop and maintain a global community of practice, facilitating collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
• Organize and coordinate workshops, consultations, and public engagement activities across the UK, South Africa, and Ghana.
• Contribute or lead on academic journal papers and the dissemination of findings.
• Ensure highest standards of data governance and research reproducibility.
• Manage project dissemination platforms, including websites, podcasts, and social media.

You should apply if

• Have relevant postgraduate research/taught degree or working towards the completion of a PhD degree in relevant field.
• Have experience of working independently and collaboratively in international research projects.
• Are skilled in primary data collection, including survey design, interviews, and participatory research methods.
• Have experience in mixed-method research, with proficiency in tools such as NVivo, STATA, or SPSS.
• Professional approach to working with international partners, workers in the food systems, and other stakeholders.
• Track record of conducting research, writing it up for dissemination and presentation to different audiences.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to organise own time and work to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Disposition to travel for data collection, attending conferences and professional development opportunities.

Application information

Apply directly on the University of Bristol Jobs portal (referencing ACAD108079) Details | Working at Bristol | University of Bristol. 

For informal queries about the role please contact Fiorella Picchioni - Fiorella.picchioni@bristol.ac.uk

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