Food Standards Agency

The Food Standards Agency is an independent, non-ministerial government department that works across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We ensure food is safe, is what it says it is, and we help empower consumers to make informed choices in relation to food.

Science is at the heart of everything we do. We conduct and support a broad range of research, drawing on independent expertise of others to ensure our advice and recommendations are made based on the best available scientific evidence.

Our Science, Evidence and Research Directorate consists of around 100 scientists and support staff, from a broad range of disciplines: microbiology, toxicology, economics, statistics, social science and more. The Directorate is a diverse and inclusive team in which to work, where you can make a genuine contribution to society.

Supporting studentships and offering placements is something fairly new to us, but we are really excited to be exploring this opportunity with the London Interdisciplinary Doctoral (LIDo) Programme.

We hope to co-design a small number of Doctoral studentships with the LIDo partner Institutions, based on our areas of research interest. Broadly speaking, these are linked to evidence-based food safety risk management i.e. reducing the impact of foodborne pathogens, improving the evidence base on antimicrobial resistance or better understanding behaviour and trust, innovation in food regulation i.e. exploring cutting edge data and digital techniques and technology, and exploring future food systems such as novel food products and processes.

We are also interested in hosting Professional Internships for PhD Students (PIPS), giving the opportunity to better understand the interface between science and policy in government. I joined the FSA after completing a PhD. If I had chosen to stay in academia, I strongly believe that the experience of a government placement would have made me a more effective, impactful researcher, but it would also serve to introduce a rewarding alternative career opportunity.

A placement could involve a range of different activities based on need, skills and interest.

If you feel you can help us protect consumer’s plates, by bringing your science into government, we’d be very happy to hear from you.