Reports to: Director of Science & Research
Location: London, UK (Hybrid)
About Heights R&D Department
Heights is a science‑led health and nutrition organisation focused on developing evidence‑based products that meaningfully improve and support human health. Our approach is grounded in rigorous research, clinical trials, and transparent communication, ensuring that all product decisions, claims, and customer‑facing materials are defensible, credible, and scientifically robust.
The Research & Development (R&D) function at Heights sits at the centre of the business, bridging academic research with real‑world application. We design and run human clinical trials, collaborate with universities and research institutions, publish findings, and translate complex science into accessible, consumer‑relevant insights.
Heights is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scientific integrity while operating at the pace of a growing, innovative organisation.
Position Overview
As a Research Assistant, you will support the Science & Research function at Heights by taking ownership of defined research tasks and projects across the R&D Department. Working closely with the Director of Science & Research, you will contribute across the full research lifecycle — from early‑stage literature reviews and clinical trial preparation and execution through to data handling, publication support, and cross‑functional scientific input across product development, customer experience, and marketing.
You will support the delivery of high‑quality clinical research, own operational and analytical tasks that underpin trials and publications, and ensure scientific evidence is accurate, well organised, and ready for use across the business. This role is well suited to a part‑time MSc student seeking hands‑on experience in applied nutritional science and human research, while developing strong foundations in research quality, organisation, and communication within a fast‑paced industry setting.
What You’ll Do
Clinical Trial Support
* Conducting systematic and narrative literature reviews to inform trial design
* Supporting the development of trial documentation (background sections, appendices, trial registries)
* Assisting with ethics submissions and clinical trial registrations
* Coordinating with Clinical Research Organisations (CROs), including meeting notes, timelines, and action tracking
* Monitoring recruitment progress, baseline completion, and dropout rates
* Preparing datasets for statistical analysis
* Conduct basic exploratory analyses where appropriate
* Ensure data integrity, version control, and documentation standards are met
* Producing tables, figures, and summaries for internal reporting
Scientific Dissemination & Publications
* Drafting conference abstracts and posters
* Supporting manuscript preparation
* Coordinating co‑author feedback and document version control
* Assisting with responses to peer‑reviewer comments
* Supporting internal and external presentations of research findings
Product Development & Evidence Support
* Reviewing evidence to support new product concepts and ongoing reformulations
* Researching ingredients, dosages, and delivery mechanisms
* Maintaining internal evidence packs for existing products
* Supporting cross‑functional NPD meetings with scientific input
Cross‑Team Scientific Support
* Reviewing customer‑facing FAQs and educational materials for scientific accuracy
* Drafting responses to complex science‑related customer queries
* Conducting first‑pass reviews of marketing claims and statistics
* Sourcing evidence for PR, awards, and external communications
* Supporting scientific content for website pages and campaigns
Who You Are
Must Have
Qualifications
* BSc in Human Nutritional Sciences, Dietetics or closely related discipline
* Professional registration as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Nutritionist (RNut)
Experience
* Strong understanding of scientific research methods
* Experience conducting literature reviews and evidence synthesis
* Experience with statistical analysis software (e.g. SPSS)
* Experience of supporting manuscript preparations
* Ability to critically appraise scientific evidence
Skills
* Excellent organisational skills with high attention to detail
* Clear written communication skills for both scientific and non‑scientific audiences
* Ability to translate complex scientific information into an easily accessible format
* Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
* Comfortable working independently while seeking guidance when needed
Nice to Have
* Peer‑reviewed publications
* Experience of presenting at academic conferences
* Grant writing experience
* Experience of conducting human intervention trials
* Track record of disseminating complex science in the public domain
* Working network of nutritional science academics
Why You’ll Love It Here
* Hands‑on involvement in industry‑led research
* Exposure to the full research lifecycle, from study design to publication
* Opportunities to collaborate with academic institutions and advisors
* Development of applied research, data, and communication skills
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