Postdoctoral position in Food Studies, Nutrition and Dietetics

Would you like to work in research, supported by skilled and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Do you want an employer that prioritizes sustainable working conditions and offers secure, beneficial terms of employment? Welcome to apply for a postdoctoral position at Uppsala University.

The research at the Department of Food Studies, Nutrition, and Dietetics at Uppsala University is interdisciplinary in nature, focusing on exploring the complexity of food and meals for individuals, various groups, and in different contexts, from both natural and social science perspectives. The doctoral research area in Food Studies, Nutrition, and Dietetics is also interdisciplinary, with research questions addressing various current topics. For more information, see the Department of Food Studies, Nutrition, and Dietetics website.

Community interventions for sustainable food consumption – effectiveness and public support
As part of the national research center “PAN Sweden – plant-based proteins for health and wellbeing” (financed by FORMAS, dnr 2024-01022), a postdoc is hired for three years. One of the work packages within the center is led by Associate Professor Nicklas Neuman and focuses on policy matters regarding the consumption of plant foods and red meat. Here, "policy matters" is to be understood broadly – it can be about large-scale political instruments (e.g. regulations and taxes), but also local initiatives in the public, private and non-profit sectors. The core question is about understanding how different kinds of community interventions can lead to population-level change in food habits, but also how such interventions are perceived among consumers.

The project is interdisciplinary, touching, among other things, on the fields of public health nutrition, environmental science, political science, sociology, and behavioral science. Within the work package, the postdoc will contribute to a policy overview and perform an experimental study on policy interventions and public acceptance. The candidate will be able to shape the study designs, but survey experiments, case studies, and statistical analysis more broadly (e.g., of secondary data) are central. The employment includes active participation as a member of PAN Sweden.

Requirements
Doctoral degree in nutrition science or related fields, Foreign degrees must be assessed as equivalent to a doctoral degree. The degree must be completed no later than the time the employment decision is made. Preference will be given to those who have completed their degree no more than three years ago. The three-year time frame is calculated based on the application deadline. If there are special reasons, such a degree may have been completed earlier. Special reasons include leave due to illness, parental leave, assignments within trade union organizations, etc.

Additional qualifications
It is of merit for the applicant to have experience in the subject and methods of relevance for the current project. This means experience in research on food consumption with a social or behavioral science approach, particularly with quantitative methods. Such experience is of greater importance than the subject in which the applicant took their PhD. Furthermore, as the use of qualitative elements may also occur, experience with qualitative methods is of merit. 
The applicant is expected to have a driving role within the scope of the work package's research and independently develop their research profile in relation to other scientific activities at the department and within PAN Sweden. Therefore, documented ability to independently lead and collaborate in projects is valuable, as is the ability to communicate research to the public and the research community. Good ability to express oneself in English, in both speech and writing, is central.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position, 36 months. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date March 15th or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: 
Associate Professor Nicklas Neuman,  nicklas.neuman@ikv.uu.se

Please submit your application by 31 January 2025, UFV-PA 2024/4370

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