Research Fellow in Food Systems

This role will support the development and delivery of activities within the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain, and the Clean Cooling Network. You will contribute to research, stakeholder engagement, and training initiatives focused on sustainable cooling solutions for agrifood systems. The role includes working closely with industry partners to encourage investment and collaboration, supporting the development of a research and innovation ecosystem, and contributing to the design and delivery of training programmes. You will also undertake fieldwork and engagement activities with international partners, including travel to Rwanda, and support project management and research delivery across a portfolio of interdisciplinary projects.

About You

You will be educated to doctoral level in agrifood systems, food science, agricultural engineering, postharvest technology, environmental science, or a closely related discipline. You will have a strong background in agrifood systems and experience in research, data analysis and stakeholder engagement.

You will demonstrate initiative and the ability to work both independently and as part of multidisciplinary and international teams. Experience working with industry, engaging stakeholders successfully and contributing to research or innovation projects in agrifood systems is essential. Experience developing training programmes, supporting international development projects or working in sustainable food systems or cold chain innovation would be advantageous.

You will have excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to engage effectively with academic, industry and international partners.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. 

The Environmental Sustainability Theme brings together expertise to address critical global challenges in sustainability, climate resilience and resource efficiency. Our work in sustainable cooling and cold chain systems supports resilient agrifood systems, reduces food loss, and enables sustainable economic development globally.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. 

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 5 April 2026

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert prior to the stated closing date should we receive sufficient numbers of applications. Therefore, we would encourage you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.