Research Associate in Nutrition and Hydration

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Job title: Research Associate in Nutrition and Hydration

Job reference: REQ260244

Date posted: 16/04/2026

Application closing date: 31/05/2026

Location: Loughborough

Package: Specialist and Supporting Academic Research grade 6 from £35608

Job description:

School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences

Full-time (37 hours per week); Fixed-term for 12 months

We are seeking to recruit a nutritionist or physiologist with experience in hydration related projects to lead a clinical trial examining the effects of a nutritional supplement on markers of hydration. The successful candidate should have experience of running human clinical trials that: 1) provided dietary supplements or foods; 2) had hydration, nutritional or physiology related outcomes, and 3) required processing of blood and urine samples.

The successful applicant would be based at Loughborough University campus. While there is some scope to work flexibly off campus outside of laboratory testing hours, remote working is not possible for this role.

The ideal candidate would have:

• Experience of running clinical trials to measure markers of hydration and/or nutrition and health related outcomes.
• A strong research background managing clinical research trials employing nutritional or similar interventions
• Experience with relevant research methods in nutrition and/or hydration
• Experience of urine and venous blood collection and processing blood according to HTA regulations
• Experience with wet lab techniques, including colorimetric and ELISA methods
• A PhD in exercise/nutrition/physiology or related subject

For more information on the role please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Tom Clifford, Reader in Exercise and Health Nutrition, via email to or by telephone to , or to Lewis James, Reader in Human Nutrition, via email to or by telephone to .

Closing Date: 31 May 2026

At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community. Examples of our benefits include:

• Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme
• Where you work - access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
• Financial wellbeing - competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities
• Support for you and your family - on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options, and a range of family-friendly policies
• Health and wellbeing - discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support
• Travel and sustainability - access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting

Discover more about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.