M.SC. RESEARCH WALSH FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY
“CONSUMER ASSESSMENT OF UNMET NEEDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TARGETED AND APPROPRIATE NOVEL
FOOD PRODUCTS FOR ELDERLY CONSUMERS”
Ref no: 2015213
Background
Chronic malnutrition is widespread in the Irish elderly population, however it is preventable. A new collaborative research
project entitled NUTRIMAL co-ordinated by University College Dublin, in collaboration with both Teagasc and the HSE has just
commenced to develop novel nutritional food products for older consumers to specifically target malnutrition, and its effects on
loss of muscle mass and physical function.
Few foods currently exist on the market that are specifically formulated taking into account the particular dietary requirements
and physical needs of older consumers. New food products for the elderly needs to take into consideration their specific lifestage needs such as nutritional needs, food behaviour, health status and physical ability.
The aim of this research is to profile needs and requirements of this specific life-stage in older Irish consumers using qualitative
research techniques such as focus groups and depth interviews. The objective of the focus groups and depth interviews is to
gain significant and critical insights into the lives of the elderly segment and to outline and propose possible scenarios for
consideration in future new food product development (NPD) based upon present requirements of our elderly population. The
findings from the qualitative research will be supported with an extensive scientific and marketing literature review to devise a
matrix of insights for new product development and policy implications for older consumers.
Requirements
Applicants should have a primary degree (First or Second Grade I Class Honours) in an appropriate discipline (nutrition, food
marketing, social science or equivalent.). The successful candidate should be highly self-motivated and be prepared to undertake
fieldwork using a range of data collection techniques. Experience in qualitative techniques will be an advantage.
Award
This Teagasc Walsh Fellowship forms part of a joint research project between Teagasc and University College Dublin. The
student will be based at the Teagasc Food Research Centre at Ashtown, Dublin 15 under the supervision of Dr Sinéad McCarthy.
S/he and will be registered at University College Dublin under the supervision of Professor Helen Roche. The Fellowship will
start in April or Autumn 2015. The fellowship provides a stipend of €22,000 per year. University fees are paid by the student
from the stipend which is tenable for 2 years.
Further Information
Dr Sinéad McCarthy, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin 15, Republic of Ireland
Phone: +353 1 805 9500 email: sinead.mccarthy@teagasc.ie
Prof Helen Roche, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin
Phone: +353 1 7166845 email: helen.roche@ucd.ie
Application Procedure
Submit an electronic copy of Curriculum Vitae and a letter of interest simultaneously to:
Dr Sinéad McCarthy (sinead.mccarthy@teagasc.ie) no later than 12pm Friday 27th of March 2015.