Research Officer in Infant Feeding

About The University

Swansea University is a research-led university that has been making a difference since 1920. The University community thrives on exploration and discovery and offers the right balance of excellent teaching and research, matched by an enviable quality of life.

Our stunning waterfront campuses and multicultural community make us a desirable workplace for colleagues from around the world. Our reward and benefits, and ways of working enable those who join us to have enriching careers, matched by an excellent work-life balance.

About The Role

This is a Fixed Term position until 31st August 2025 working full-time.

We are recruiting a research officer in infant feeding to develop a best practice model for supporting families in financial crisis who need to access formula milk for their baby.

We have received funding from the Medical Research Council to conduct a research project to explore how to best meet the needs of parents in the UK who are formula feeding their baby and experiencing financial crisis. The project will work with parents, health professionals and those working in Foodbanks and crisis support to better understand how parents experiencing financial crisis currently access formula and use for their baby. It will explore the different potential pathways for providing formula milk to families and what the implications of different approaches might be. Specifically, we want to examine guidance around Foodbanks providing infant formula to families versus options such as a cash first approach, health professional guidance, or an increase to the Healthy Start scheme allowance. 

We are looking for a research officer with an interest in infant feeding and family health to deliver this. You will have opportunity to support the project in a range of quantitative and qualitative research techniques including surveys, statistics, interviewing, and focus groups. You will be supported and learn from an interdisciplinary team in public health, midwifery and health visiting, and psychology alongside working with healthcare professionals, infant feeding and Foodbank specialists. 

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

As an inclusive and welcoming workplace, we value people for their skills regardless of their background. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English.

We have an under-representation of men in the area of research and would particularly welcome applications from men for this position. We also have an under representation of individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds and would encourage applications from these groups. Appointments will always be made on merit..

Welsh Language Skills

The Welsh language level required for this role is Level 1 - A little. The role holder will be able to pronounce Welsh words, answer the phone in Welsh (good morning/afternoon) and use very basic everyday words and phrases (thank you, please etc.). Level 1 can be reached by completing a 1 hour course.

The University is a proud bilingual institution, our Welsh Language Strategy outlines our aspiration to promote the language and enable our staff to engage with the language as an additional workplace skill and as a gateway to new cultural and social opportunities. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English. Welsh speakers have the right to an interview in Welsh. Applicants for a role where Welsh skills are essential are expected to present their application in Welsh and will be interviewed in Welsh, if shortlisted.

Additional Information

Applications for this role will take the format of a CV submission and cover letter.

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