Postdoctoral Researcher in Food Systems

We are seeking a research fellow to work on a project on global food systems analysis. This is an exciting opportunity to join a new multi-disciplinary research team on food systems analysis jointly based at University College London and the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford, with offices in both London and Oxford. The new research group is supported by long-term funding from Wellcome Trust and by project-specific funding from the EU Horizon programme.

As part of a multi-disciplinary research team, you will contribute to analyses of the global food system. Some of the interests of the project will be to develop trajectories of dietary change towards healthier and more sustainable diets with a particular attention to alternative protein sources, and to integrate environmental, health, and nutritional assessments of dietary and food-system changes. You will also have the opportunity to develop your own research ideas and to collaborate with other members of the team on food system analyses.

You must hold, or be close to completion of a doctoral degree in a relevant field (e.g., data science, geography, environmental science, public health, economics). You will have experience relevant for food systems modelling including technical knowledge (e.g., in data science, input-output modelling, applied economic modelling, environmental and ecological assessments, GIS, comparative risk assessments), as well as proficiency in data analysis and coding. Your writing and communication skills allow you to interact effectively with different academic communities.

Applications should include responses to each of the selection criteria set out in the job description. Applications that do not include responses to all criteria will not be considered. Please note that the responsibilities listed below include those specific to the role, as well as those generic to a grade 7 postholder.

Informal enquiries are very welcome and can be addressed to Dr Marco Springmann (marco.springmann@ouce.ox.ac.uk).

This post is fixed-term until 31 October 2027 and offered on a full-time basis. 

What We Offer 

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ well-being, and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a covering letter with a supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. In your supporting statement, please explain how you meet each of the selection criteria found in the job description, and why you would like to do this role. See guidance at  https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/cv-and-supporting-statement.

Any technical questions related to this vacancy can be sent to: recruit@ouce.ox.ac.uk  

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on 12 August 2025. Only applications submitted by this time will be considered. 

The University of Oxford and The School of Geography and the Environment are Silver Athena SWAN holders.  Applications are particularly welcome and encouraged from women, black, and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in posts in The School of Geography and the Environment. The School of Geography and the Environment are committed to equality and values diversity