Junior Nutritionist

The British Nutrition Foundation

The British Nutrition Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to promoting health and wellbeing and prevent diet-related ill health through evidence-based nutrition science. It provides a bridge between nutrition science, government, industry, education and the public, acting as a conduit towards a healthier, more sustainable food environment for everyone.

The British Nutrition Foundation’s team of nutrition scientists and education professionals promotes access to the latest evidence-based nutrition science. By helping to empower people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to make informed food, diet and lifestyle choices, the Foundation supports the creation of a healthier, more sustainable food environment for all.

McDonald’s

McDonald’s is one of the most recognised brands in the world, with restaurants in over 100 countries and billions of customers served each year. As the global leader in the food and service industry, McDonald’s has a legacy of innovation and hard work that continues to drive its success. In the UK, McDonald’s has been operating since 1974 and now runs over 1500 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, serving almost four million customers each day. It is also one of the UK’s largest private sector employers, employing over 170,000 people. 

Why a joint placement?

Eating food from the out-of-home sector is a common feature of modern lifestyles. Improving the nutritional profile of foods offered, whether through reformulation, reviewing portion sizes or designing new products, can positively shape the food environment and support healthier food choices for the future. 

McDonald’s has been a member of the British Nutrition Foundation for a number of years and values its impartial advice and support on nutrition. The Foundation supported the development of McDonald’s Plan for Change Great Food commitments The Detail Behind Our Plan For Change | McDonald's UK and continues to advise McDonald’s on emerging areas of nutrition science and on how to effectively measure positive nutritional impact.  

The Junior Nutritionist will work within the nutrition team at McDonalds, supporting the overall aim of increasing access to healthier and more sustainable food offerings, getting exposure to the types of decision making and working required as a nutritionist within the food industry.  They will also support the teams at the British Nutrition Foundation with activities that aim to help people make better choices. 

The role

The successful applicant will be allocated a mentor at British Nutrition Foundation and will have the opportunity to contribute to a range of nutrition science activities. These may include writing reviews, articles and content on nutrition and healthy and more sustainable diets for specific audiences, as well as supporting communication and dissemination efforts to key stakeholders across multiple platforms.

• At McDonald’s the successful applicant will:
  assist in the general day to day functioning of the nutrition department
• help with the tracking and monitoring of both internal and external nutrition targets
• support the Company Nutritionist with the implementation of McDonald’s Public Health strategy and Plan for Change commitments including embedding nutrition signposting and testing and monitoring behaviour change initiatives 
• assist with answering customer nutrition queries, developing nutrition training and updating nutrition messaging on company materials, such as webpages.
• work cross-functionally with other departments including Food Development, Insights, Marketing, Food Safety and Supply Chain
• attend relevant nutrition and health external events with the McDonald’s nutrition team.

What we are looking for

For this position, we are looking for a recent bachelor’s (with a minimum of a 2:1) or master’s degree graduate in Nutrition or Dietetics, ideally with some work or previous placement experience and registered, or eligible for registration, with the Association for Nutrition.

Key skills required include:

• strong data & analytical skills,
• a passion for evidence-based science,  
• an understanding of current issues in nutrition, food systems, sustainability and food policy,
• excellent written, interpersonal and communication skills, including an ability to write for different audiences.

What can you expect?

The successful applicant will be employed by the British Nutrition Foundation on a starting salary of £27 500 per annum with the post commencing in January 2026. After completion of a successful 3-month probation period, additional benefits will include a contribution to a personal pension, a season ticket loan and medical insurance.

Presence in the London offices will be anticipated for the majority of the role. The successful applicant can expect to spend:

• a day a week at the British Nutrition Foundation’s office in Central London and;
• four days a week with McDonald’s (with a hybrid work model including some days in the East Finchley office). 

Applications

Applicants should send a covering letter, CV and a reference from a course tutor or previous employee to Katerina Sakellaropoulou k.sakellaropoulou@nutrition.org.uk by 5pm on 6th October 2025.  Interviews are anticipated to start in w/c 20th October 2025. For any queries please do contact Katerina.

Our approach to diversity is simple —it’s about embracing everyone, and everyone is welcome at the British Nutrition Foundation. We are committed to welcoming all applicants with the right skills, regardless of gender identity, orientation or expression, age, race, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, and perspective. Diversity fuels innovation, brings diversity of thought, and connects us closer to the companies and people we work with.  If you need any specific arrangements to be made or considerations to be taken during our recruitment and selection process to enable you to perform at your best, please let us know in your covering email or letter.