Research Fellow/Postdoctoral Research Associate – Grade 7/8 (Depending on Experience)

University of Liverpool; West Kirby; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual training budget

Conference funding

Study visits to partner institutions

Placement with policy bodies (DHSC/WHO

NIHR Academy membership

Job summary

The University of Liverpool is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a major NIHR-funded programme examining how food environment policies can prevent diet-related disease and reduce health inequalities across the UK.

You will develop microsimulation models to estimate population health and economic impacts, working with national and international partners. The role emphasizes health equity and data-driven policy insights.

Qualifications

• PhD in public health, epidemiology, data science, applied statistics, or economics; demonstrated epidemiological analysis experience and statistical programming (R).
• Knowledge of epidemiological simulation or health economic modelling is highly desirable.
• Experience with nutritional epidemiology applications and nutritional datasets.

Responsibilities

• Develop and run microsimulation models (IMPACT-NCD and PRIMEtime) to estimate health and economic impacts of food environment policies.
• Collaborate with partners at LSHTM, Oxford, and City St George's; work within Work package D.
• Be fully embedded in the NCD Prevention and Food Policy Group at the University of Liverpool, leveraging modelling, health economics, public health and epidemiology expertise.

Education

PhD in public health/epidemiology/data science/applied statistics/economics

Tools

R

Job description

Tenure: Fixed term until March 2031

Hybrid working: 2 days/week on Campus or minimum requirement of 40% on Campus, with 60% considered desirable where possible

We are seeking a talented Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a major NIHR-funded programme (NIHR209294) examining how food environment policies can prevent diet-related disease and reduce health inequalities across the UK. As a core member of Work package D, you will develop and run microsimulation models (IMPACT-NCD and PRIMEtime) to estimate the population health and economic impacts of a portfolio of food environment policies, with health equity central to the analysis, working alongside partners at LSHTM, Oxford, and City St George's.

You will be based in the NCD Prevention and Food Policy Group at the University of Liverpool — a research group based at the Department of Public Health Policy and Systems, with a strong track record in food policy, epidemiological modelling, and public health evidence that has informed national policy through NICE, DHSC, and Public Health England. You will be fully embedded in the group and will be able to access expertise in modelling, health economics, public health and epidemiology.

You should have a PhD in public health, epidemiology, data science, applied statistics, or economics, with experience in epidemiological analysis and statistical programming (e.g. R). Knowledge of epidemiological simulation or health economic modelling is highly desirable as well as experience in nutritional epidemiology applications and nutritional datasets.

The post is available for 51 months, full-time, with hybrid working from our Liverpool campus. It offers an annual training budget, conference funding, study visits to partner institutions, a placement opportunity with a policy body such as DHSC or WHO-Europe, and NIHR Academy membership — all within a supportive early career research environment. Informal enquiries are warmly welcomed — please contact Professor Martin O'Flaherty ([e-mail]) or Dr Edi Putra ([e-mail]).

Although the university has a hybrid working system, the expectation is that the successful applicant appointed to this role will be expected to work more than 60% on campus.

If you are still awaiting your PhD to be awarded you will be appointed at Grade 6, spine point 30. Upon written confirmation that you have been awarded your PhD, your salary will be increased to Grade 7, spine point 31.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to enhancing a workforce as diverse as our community and particularly encourage applicants who are of minoritised genders and ethnic backgrounds, living with a disability, and/or are members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Grade 7 £39,906 - £46,049 per annum / Grade 8 £47,389 - £59,966 per annum