Senior Scientist: Food Authenticity

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA); Bristol; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department for environmental issues is seeking a Food Science Evidence Specialist in Bristol. This position involves leading evidence development in response to food policy priorities and managing R&D projects. The ideal candidate will have expertise in food science and strong stakeholder engagement skills to ensure alignment with policy needs and standards. This role offers a collaborative team environment focusing on science-driven policy.

Qualifications

• Proven expertise in food science and authenticity.
• Experience in managing R&D projects.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic evidence development for food authenticity.
• Manage R&D projects to meet policy needs.
• Engage stakeholders to identify scientific challenges.

Skills

Scientific skills

Knowledge of food authenticity

Stakeholder engagement

Policy-focused evidence development

Education

Degree in Food Science or related field

Job description

Overview

In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people\'s lives. We are responsible for England\'s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. Your role will be critically important to achieving our vision of \'creating a great place for living\'.

As a Food Science Evidence Specialist within Defra\'s Agri-Food Science team you will be leading strategic evidence development across Defra\'s Food Authenticity R&D Programme in response to evolving food policy priorities. The Programme develops analytical tools to support enforcement of food labelling and standards rules, develops technical advice on application of methods and provides evidence to support development and implementation of food labelling policy. Programme activities aim to build laboratory capability in responding to food fraud incidents, supporting consumer confidence in food quality, composition and provenance.

Responsibilities

• Set, shape and deliver a portfolio of R&D projects (covering a wide range of commodities, analytical methods, and labelling issues such as geographical origin, traceability and adulteration) using scientific skills to deliver robust evidence to meet policy needs.
• Act as a subject matter expert, providing science advice on emerging and topical food authenticity and food science issues.
• Manage knowledge transfer activities under the programme to ensure methods are taken up and used by laboratories.
• Lead secretariat work for the authenticity scientific expert committee.
• Engage with key stakeholders to identify emerging and longer-term science challenges the programme needs to address.
• Work in close partnership with Defra policy teams and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to ensure the programme meets policy needs, addresses ministerial priorities around food standards and aligns with FSA surveillance, enforcement and lab capability building activities to maximise impact.
• Lead on developing a portfolio of authenticity research and knowledge transfer activities, from commissioning through to completion, working within agreed budgets and taking decisions within the context of research procurement and management principles and guidance.
• Build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including policy and evidence teams, OGDs, external funders, industry, academia and stakeholders including where appropriate at an EU and international level to build evidence and secure research alignment; and/or where appropriate on complex technical issues to inform policy interventions.
• Provide science leadership, policy-focused evidence development and technical science advice; apply judgement and discretion to problem solving, escalate risks and issues as needed.

Team and Role Context

The role sits within the Agri-Food Science team, a multi-disciplinary, friendly and supportive team embedded within the Agri-Food Chain Directorate. The team works flexibly, sharing skills and expertise to support science-driven policy that contributes to government\'s plans to transform the food system and create a healthier, more affordable, sustainable, resilient system.

Disability Confident and EEO

Disability Confident

About Disability Confident

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