Microbiome Scientist – Nutrition Science Wellbeing Collective

Please Note: The deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the job posting end date.

Job Title: Microbiome Scientist- Nutrition Science Wellbeing Collective

Location: UK – Port Sunlight (Liverpool)

Work-Level: 1C/RH4

WHO ARE WE?

We are the Global Wellbeing Collective (WBC) team focused on one of Unilever’s largest growth opportunities – the €140bn Wellbeing Collective space defined by Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements (VMS).

We work in an agile, fast-moving environment, collaboratively within the team and with our Unilever colleagues around the world. We work in a project-based networked way where everyone needs to be able to take a step back and think strategically as well as rolling up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, to be entrepreneurial and experiment as well as bringing in the best of Unilever and work the structures of a large company, to take charge and lead as well as follow and support others.

OUR BUSINESS

Unilever’s Wellbeing Collective Group is a Global Business Unit within the Beauty & Wellbeing Business Group. It holds the company’s functional nutrition brands and the portfolio of brands that includes the acquired brands Nutrafol, Olly, LiquidIV, SmartyPants, Welly, Onnit and Equilibra. Each brand is completely unique and focused on giving consumers superior experiences within their respective spaces and target segments. We are committed to continue grow this strategic business for Unilever through a series of acquisitions and continued international expansion of acquired brands through Unilever’s scale and network in the markets.

Job Description Overview

The Microbiome Scientist will play a critical role in the Science and Technology Team for Beauty and Wellbeing. They will be responsible for providing development and execution of Horizon 2 and 3 Science pipeline projects for the Wellbeing Collective.

The role reports to the WORK STREAM LEADER BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE ST and will interface with the B&W S&T Teams and the Wellbeing Collective GBU.

The role requires the ability to develop translation science into differentiated and meaningful business opportunities.

Responsibilities

Lead

• Lead scientific understanding and analysis of gut microbiome data in relation to key nutrition and wellbeing benefit areas
• Monitor the latest scientific data (academic and industry) for the key benefit areas: microbiome and nutritional science
• Translate scientific findings for business applications
• Develop innovation concepts, claims, and insights to promote health via modulation of human microbiome and dietary intake
• Integrate and strengthen research on microbial metabolites and interaction with the host
• Develop collaboration networks inside and outside of Unilever
• Interact closely with providers of metabolomics analytical platforms
• Shape and lead research activities, coach technicians and/or students
• Communicate and publish results internally and externally

Support (within the broader WBC GBU)

• Works closely with the Nutrition Science and Innovation Team to help with execution of Horizon 2 and 3 work
• Partner with the Operating Companies for their long-term research needs

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• PhD in the field of human gut microbiome and/or microbial metabolites
• 2-5 years research experience in above mentioned areas
• Strong knowledge and research experience in the gut microbiome including microbiome specific clinical studies
• Experienced in exploratory and comparative analysis of amplicon, metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data for diversity, compositional, taxonomic and functional insights.
• Proficient in R, ideally familiarity with Python and with widely available tools for microbiome data analysis (e.g. QIIME2, Piecrust, Tax4Fun etc)
• Industry experience or experience in collaboration with academic & industry partners, combined with project management experience is considered an advantage
• Demonstrate strong result focus and capacity to take initiative and be a self-starter.
• Excellent communication skills and capacity to convey and adapt scientific information to non-expert audiences
• Ability to manage external collaborations and projects

NOTES

Please apply via this portal as e-mail applications may not be processed and include your Future Fit Plan if possible.

By applying for this vacancy, you are confirming that you have made your Line Manager aware of your application and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.

Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner Kyron Dias on kyron.dias@unilever.com

What We Offer

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (unilever.com).

Relocation to the UK

Please be aware if you are applying for this role from outside the UK, if successful, your application will be treated as a self-initiated Change Location Outside of Country (CLOC) transfer. This means any relocation costs must be self-funded with the potential to reclaim some specific pre-approved expenses up to £5,000. Please speak to your Talent Partner if you have any questions.