Qualitative Research Associate: evaluating voluntary bans on price promotions on less healthy foods in UK supermarkets The MRC Epidemiology Unit seeks to appoint a post-doctoral Research Associate with skills and experience in qualitative methods to work on an evaluation of voluntary bans on the use of price promotions to sell less healthy foods in UK supermarkets. Based in the Unit's Population Health Interventions Programme, the primary role of this post is to lead delivery of work exploring the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of industry and citizens' with respect to price promotions and voluntary restrictions on their use. In February 2016, Sainsbury's introduced a ban on using multi-buy (e.g. 2 for the price of 1) and extra volume (e.g. 20% extra free) price promotions on less healthy foods. Tesco did similar in October 2022. These voluntary approaches preceded the national ban due to be implemented in October 2025 and offer an opportunity to explore the potential of large-scale, industry-initiated, voluntary measures with the potential to support dietary public health. The successful applicant will analyse documentary sources (e.g. press releases, trade press, company financial reports, company websites) to explore the narrative that these two supermarkets presented to justify the policy and how this varied across time and audience. They will also conduct in-depth semi-structured interviews with a diverse range of citizens to explore their knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards price promotions and the bans. The successful applicant will have a PhD in Population Health Sciences or another relevant subject or be due to complete their doctoral studies within 3 months of applying. They will have proven skills and experience in in-depth semi-structured interviewing and qualitative data analysis, and a clear interest in public health approaches to supporting healthy diets. This work is part of a larger evaluation of the voluntary bans led by Dr Oliver Mytton at UCL with collaborators at the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, Exeter, East Anglia, the Institute for Fiscal Studies and City St George's, University of London. It sits alongside a large evaluation of the mandatory restrictions on price promotions and advertising of less healthy foods on TV and online led by Prof Jean Adams that will start in January 2026. Alongside a competitive salary, University staff are eligible for a comprehensive package of benefits and services include discounts on shopping, health care, financial services and public transport. We also offer defined benefits pension schemes and tax-efficient bicycle, car lease and charity-giving schemes. The MRC Epidemiology Unit is a department within the University of Cambridge's School of Clinical Medicine and is situated within the Institute of Metabolic Science on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Its mission is to study the genetic, developmental and environmental factors that cause obesity, diabetes and related metabolic disorders and develop strategies for their prevention. The Unit benefits from a number of large-scale, cross programme epidemiological studies with detailed datasets allowing a wide range of research from genetics to public health. Highly experienced information teams and other specialist teams support the scientists in the delivery of their research aims. This is a fixed-term position for 21 months, ideally starting in June 2025. The role can be performed entirely on-site at Addenbrooks Hospital in Cambridge, off-site or as a hybrid position. Whilst we expect you to travel to project meetings held around the UK, there is no expectation of a minimum number of days per week in the office. Please contact Jean Adams ( jma79medschl.cam.ac.uk ) for informal enquiries. The closing date is 5th May 2025 and interviews will likely be held on 4 June 2025. Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online. Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD. Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 £34,132) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award. Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager. Please quote reference SJ45778 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy. The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. Further information Further Particulars (SJ45778) Apply online