Postdoctoral Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Population Health Interventions Programme, Institute of Metabolic Science (IMS) Epidemiology

IMS Epidemiology is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate with skills and experience in qualitative research methods, evidence synthesis and mixed-methods evaluation to contribute to a multi-component evaluation of new restrictions on marketing of less healthy foods.

Based in the Population Health Interventions Programme, the primary roles of this post are 1. to lead qualitative research exploring the policy processes involved in development, prioritisation, delay and implementation of the restrictions; and 2. to lead delivery of mixed-methods research and evidence synthesis to integrate and make sense of the findings from the whole of the evaluation.

New restrictions on advertising of less healthy food and drinks on TV before 9pm and online were implemented in the UK in January 2026. Restrictions on price-based promotions of less healthy products in England were implemented in October 2025.

Funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), we are conducting a multi-component evaluation of the restrictions. Across the whole evaluation, we will study impacts on marketing, availability and purchasing of less healthy products; model impacts on health and wider society; explore awareness and acceptability; and interrogate policy processes. The work is led from IMS Epidemiology and involves colleagues at the Universities of Oxford, Stirling, Exeter and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the UK, and the University of Waterloo in Canada.

Alongside a competitive salary, University staff are eligible for a comprehensive package of benefits and services including discounts on shopping, private health care, financial services and public transport. We also offer defined benefits pension schemes and tax-efficient bicycle, car lease and charity-giving schemes.

You will be educated to PhD level in a relevant subject or due to complete within 3 months of applying. You will have proven skills and experience in qualitative data collection and analysis, and evidence synthesis. Knowledge or experience of food system or dietary public health research is essential.

This is a fixed-term position for 30 months. The role can be performed as a hybrid position, recognising that some tasks may only be performed on University premises.

Please contact Professor Jean Adams, jma79@medschl.cam.ac.uk for informal enquiries.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and a CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

The closing date for applications is: 12 April 2026

The interview date for the role is: 24 April 2026

Please quote reference SJ49118 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Apply online

Key information

Department/location

MRC Epidemiology Unit

Salary

£37,694-£46,049

Reference

SJ49118

Category

Research

Date published

16 March 2026

Closing date

12 April 2026