Research Fellow: Biomaterials in Alternative Proteins

Location:	Leeds
Salary:	£38,205 to £45,585 per annum (Grade 7)
Hours:	Full Time
Contract Type:	Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On:	15th September 2024
Closes:	11th October 2024
Job Ref:	ENVFS1124

Are you an ambitious researcher ready to take on your next challenge? Do you have a solid background in food or biomaterial science, along with expertise in sensing and analytical methods? If so, you have the opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the UK’s alternative protein revolution. We are actively seeking a dynamic and motivated Research and Innovation Fellow to contribute to a ground-breaking project funded by the National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC). This is your chance to be at the forefront of transformative research that supports the global shift toward sustainable, alternative proteins.

About NAPIC: Leading the Way in Alternative Proteins

The National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC) is a revolutionary £38 million initiative aimed at transforming the UK’s agri-food sector through innovation in alternative protein development. This initiative includes a £15 million investment from the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), signalling the UK government’s commitment to sustainable food systems. NAPIC’s overarching vision is to make alternative proteins mainstream in the quest for a sustainable planet.

NAPIC is a collaboration between four leading institutions—the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, Imperial College London, and the James Hutton Institute—alongside over 100 national and international partners. Together, they form a cohesive, pan-UK centre designed to revolutionise the food industry by blending cutting-edge research with industry collaborations. The centre harnesses the UK's world-class scientific expertise, following an innovation pipeline from Discovery → Innovation → Commercialisation to lead the transition to a sustainable and rapidly growing blended protein bio economy.

NAPIC’s activities are focused on four integrated streams:

1. Research to Address Innovation Challenges: Tackling key challenges in the alternative protein industry through pioneering research.

2. National Alternative Protein Knowledge Base: Establishing a comprehensive knowledge base to advance the field.

3. Workforce of the Future: Equipping the next generation of researchers and professionals with the necessary skills to thrive in the alternative protein sector.

4. Accessible Innovation Facilities: Providing cutting-edge facilities for research, development, and commercialisation of alternative protein products.

As a Research and Innovation Fellow, you will play a critical role in these efforts, contributing your expertise to advance the UK’s alternative protein sector.

The Opportunity: Research and Innovation Fellow

We are seeking a highly motivated Research and Innovation Fellow to join the NAPIC team. This postdoctoral position will focus on the characterisation of biomaterials using advanced inline sensing methods. You will use state-of-the-art techniques such as computer vision, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR), and acoustics to evaluate the properties of alternative protein products. Additionally, you will apply analytical methods such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), circular dichroism (CD), amino acid analysis, and various forms of chromatography to assess the composition, structure, and technical performance of these novel biomaterials.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on a range of frontier and agile projects alongside the broader NAPIC team and its external partners. These projects will span the entire alternative protein landscape, covering products such as plant-based meats, cultured meats, and other innovative protein sources.

In addition to your primary research responsibilities, you will collaborate with a dynamic, interdisciplinary team that includes experts from food science, material science, biochemistry, and engineering. This role will also provide opportunities to engage with industry partners, run workshops, conduct outreach activities, and lead your own research programme within the centre. You will become a key player in driving the UK’s alternative protein revolution, shaping the future of sustainable food production on a national and global scale.

Key Responsibilities

As a Research and Innovation Fellow, your responsibilities will include:

• Leading biomaterial characterisation research using cutting-edge sensing and analytical methods, including inline sensing (e.g., computer vision, NIR spectroscopy, and acoustics) and protein characterisation techniques (e.g., FTIR, DSC, CD, and chromatography).

• Collaborating with NAPIC’s interdisciplinary team and external partners on various research projects aimed at advancing alternative protein products.

• Leading workshops, conducting outreach activities, and contributing to the development of the national alternative protein knowledge base.

• Developing your own independent research programme within the framework of NAPIC.

• Engaging in international collaboration and placement opportunities to further your expertise and expand your professional network.

• Receiving tailored entrepreneurship training to enable you to translate research discoveries into commercial applications.

This position offers an exciting and diverse range of responsibilities and opportunities for career growth. You will be at the forefront of a rapidly expanding field, contributing to the development of sustainable food systems that can have a lasting positive impact on both the environment and global food security.

The Ideal Candidate

To excel in this role, you should have:

• A PhD (or be near completion) in Food Science, Material Science, Biochemistry, Engineering, or a closely related discipline.

• A strong background in biomaterial characterisation, particularly in applying sensing and analytical methods to food products or similar materials.

• A demonstrated ability to conduct high-quality research and a passion for collaborative, interdisciplinary projects.

• A positive attitude towards collaborative research and the drive to make a significant contribution to NAPIC’s mission.

• Strong communication skills, enabling you to work effectively with a wide range of academic, industrial, and international partners.

• A genuine enthusiasm for sustainable food production and alternative proteins, as well as the ambition to lead innovative research in this area.

This role is particularly well-suited to researchers who are eager to make an impact by addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the global food system. If you are passionate about science and innovation and want to play a key role in the UK’s alternative protein revolution, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits of Joining NAPIC

As a Research and Innovation Fellow, you will benefit from a range of professional development opportunities, including:

• International Collaborations: NAPIC is a globally connected centre, providing opportunities for collaboration with international partners and placement opportunities abroad.

• Tailored Entrepreneurship Training: Receive training that will enable you to translate research findings into commercial applications, helping to bring alternative protein products to market.

• Industry Engagement: Work closely with industry partners to develop practical solutions to real-world challenges in the alternative protein sector.

• Leadership of Agile Projects: Take the lead on your own agile projects within the centre, giving you the freedom to explore new research directions and drive innovation.

• Supportive, Interdisciplinary Team: Join a dynamic team of researchers from a variety of scientific disciplines, offering a collaborative and stimulating research environment.

• Cutting-Edge Facilities: Access state-of-the-art facilities for biomaterial characterisation, sensing, and protein analysis.

Visa Sponsorship and Eligibility

This post may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. However, first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions, depending on their circumstances. For further information on this visa route, please visit Skilled Worker Visa.

For those interested in research and academic posts, eligibility under the Global Talent visa will also be considered. For more details on this visa route, please visit Global Talent Visa.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity to join the UK’s alternative protein revolution, we encourage you to apply. To explore the position further or for any queries, please contact:

• Dr Alan Javier Hernandez Alvarez, Lecturer in Nutrition and Global Health, via email: A.J.HernandezAlvarez@leeds.ac.uk.

• Professor Nik Watson, Professor of Artificial Intelligence in Food, via email: n.j.watson@leeds.ac.uk.

This is your chance to join a cutting-edge research team and make a lasting impact on the future of food. Become a key part of the UK’s journey towards a sustainable, alternative protein bioeconomy, and take the next step in your research career today!

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