Professional Internship for Stakeholder Engagement in Diet and Health

BBSRC_DRINC PIPS August 2017

Professional internship for stakeholder engagement in diet and health

There is an exciting opportunity for a Professional Internship for a PhD Student (PIPS) placement to work within BBSRC’s business interaction unit and the diet and health research community.

Following nine successful years of the Diet and Health Research Industry Club (DRINC), this internship will collect, connect and present research community outcomes to support BBSRC’s future strategic direction in Diet and Health research.

Background to DRINC

In partnership with a consortium of 15 leading food and drink companies, DRINC has awarded over £22M, enabling high quality research within UK universities and research institutes. With the overarching aim of improving our understanding of the relationship between diet and health, the club has focused on:

·  Designing foods to maintain and improve health

·  Understanding the relationship between food processing and nutrition

·  Understanding food choice and eating behaviour to improve health through diet

The research has helped the food industry to develop products that deliver enhanced health benefits for consumers. Researchers from 34 academic research organisations and across disciplines have been brought together through the 43 funded research projects and economic and social outcomes and impacts are now coming to light.

In order to secure future funding and to continue to support this interdisciplinary community, BBSRC needs to present the club’s successes and added value, building a strong case to Government and the wider community.

Role of the PIPS intern

There is an opportunity for a PIPS intern to highlight key successes brought to research, society and the economy through the DRINC initiative. The intern will identify a series of outcomes and impacts to be presented from across the DRINC portfolio, and provide exemplary quotes from club members collected through personal interactions. There will be an opportunity to attend the DRINC dissemination event to meet and interview industrial members and the research community as part of the role.

The role will require engagement with DRINC stakeholders to capture impacts and strategic relevance of the data to be presented. Further, the intern will take the lead in the design, format and content of published material. An understanding of BBSRC science and a keen interest in cutting edge diet and health research and its relevance to the food sector will be beneficial. The PIPs intern will also have the unique opportunity to work with the Corporate Policy and Strategy Group at BBSRC to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms used by BBSRC to make the case to Government for further investment.

Desired attributes

Excellent communication skills

Knowledge of data management

Strategic analysis of qualitative and quantitative data

Ability to accurately summarise and present data to target audiences

Understanding of the strategic importance of collaborative research with the food industry

If you would like to apply for this PIPS placement, then please complete the attached application form and return it to by 4 September 2017. Interviews aim to be held mid-September. You should be available to start your placement in October 2017 or shortly thereafter.

Questions on this placement should be directed to