Internship Nutrition Scientist

Collecting data on dietary intake involves many challenges. A major challenge is the subjective nature of self-reported dietary intake assessment methods, such as food frequency questionnaires and 24-hour dietary recalls. Individuals are not always able to remember all foods consumed, have 

difficulty determining accurate portion sizes and may underreport dietary intake. To overcome this limitation, biomarkers can be used. Biomarkers are generally better able to objectively assess 
dietary intake without the bias of self-reported dietary intake errors.

Earlier research has shown that specific groups of individuals, such as obese people, tend to underreport their total energy intake more than normal weight people. Underreporting may be a consequence of general underreporting of all foods or a consequence of selective underreporting of certain foods (such as high-fat foods considered unhealthy).

The agreement between self-reported fat intake and different plasma fatty acids has been investigated before. However, it is unclear whether this agreement depends on (lifestyle) characteristics, for example BMI, sex, diabetes status and smoking. The goal of this project is to study the potential predictors of over-and underreporting dietary fat intake.

This project is a research-collaboration between Unilever R&D, Maastricht University and EMGO/VUMC. Working place and daily supervision are arranged by Unilever. To answer the research question, data from the Hoorn study and the CODAM study will be pooled and analyzed. Activities are: literature research, writing an analysis plan, data management, data analysis (SPSS or SAS), and report results to be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

• MSc student nutrition & health, health science or related
• Courses on research methodology and statistics accomplished
• Interest in dietary intake data, methodology and epidemiology
• SPSS

• Bias for action
• Analytical Skills
• Goal oriented

We offer you a dynamic environment in which people with energy, creativity and passion work together. There are good opportunities to pursue your professional and personal goals and develop yourself on national and international level.

Unilever offers its interns the possibility to develop themselves at a local and international level. One of these unique opportunities is participating in the Future Leaders League. The Future Leaders’ League is a global event that brings together students from all over the world to experience leadership and business at Unilever. This year three interns travel to Singapore on behalf of Unilever Benelux. 

To apply, you must do so online. Candidates who have applied can access their status update through the candidate tracking link. For additional queries, please contact Esther van Aalst via esther.van.aalst@unileverhrservices.com.

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