Head of Herbal Research

Head of Herbal Research

Are you an expert in nutrition / herbal medicine with experience in the natural medicine sector where you have implemented clinical research? Do you aspire to deliver cutting edge herbal research and work for a purposeful, sustainable and growing ethical brand? We are looking for a Head of Herbal Research to play a pivotal role and shape the next part of our growth journey.

Based in our Bristol office, the role comes with a competitive salary and a benefits package designed to nurture your wellbeing and personal development.

About Pukka Herbs

Pukka Herbs create delicious organic herbal teas and incredible health supplements that take people on a journey of discovery to a healthier, happier life, benefiting people, plants and the planet. Pukka Herbs began 15 years ago, is the fastest growing herbal tea company and the UK’s 6th fastest growing grocery brand. Over a million cups of Pukka tea are enjoyed every day and Pukka’s teas and supplements are sold in over 40 countries across the globe.

We can offer a unique opportunity to manage a research budget to expand the evidence base for natural medicines, forge partnerships with leading universities, and make some serious changes to how natural medicines are viewed by the healthcare community.

About the role

You’ll have a leading role at Pukka delivering cutting-edge phytochemical, medical and nutritional research, to support the safe and effective use of plant medicines and herbal formulas used in our products. With the support of a Research Specialist, you’ll deliver technical and clinical research to inform our R&D, New Product Development, training and education, ensuring we can best serve our customers and the tradition of herbal medicine.

As our expert in the scientific and traditional evidence of Pukka ingredients, you’ll provide regular updates and presentations to the Herbal Director and the wider Pukka community. In partnership with laboratories and universities, you’ll develop research models to verify Pukka product efficacy, providing material to support our education programme. You’ll publish material in academic journals, manage technical literature reviews, poster presentations, deliver dossiers for substantiation and safety purposes, and provide technical solutions ensuring compliance across regulations and legislation

Interpretation of botanical research is also part of the role and you’ll assist our QC team with phytochemical interpretation, carrying out agronomic research on species variants, and working with commercial teams to explore and optimise the success and commercial value of our herbal formulas.

About you

You’ll have an inspiring and sparky intellect, with an enthusiastic, positive attitude and a natural tendency to work collaboratively and purposefully. A genuine passion for Pukka’s mission is needed alongside practical commercial experience gained in the food or herbal industry where you have demonstrated your knowledge of interpreting and implementing clinical research.

Educated to MSc or PhD level, you’ll also have a BSc in herbal medicine, phytochemistry or biochemistry, and be an expert in herbal medicine (ideally Western, Ayurvedic or TCM) and nutrition. You’ll have experience of pharmacovigilance, pharmacopoeial monographs and pharmacogsony. Knowledge of current medicines and food supplement legislation, the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Product Directive and other national herbal legislation is desirable.

You’ll be able to influence on both a technical and commercial level to optimise decision making. As an authoritative communicator, you’ll have an excellent standard of writing essential alongside the ability translate complex subject matter into interesting and memorable content for non-technical people.

Strong project management skills are needed to effectively manage, prioritise and deliver in a fast-paced commercial environment, and you’ll be able to do this whilst maintaining your immaculate attention to detail. You’ll be resilient and calm in the face of changing priorities and be able to assimilate new knowledge quickly.

Additionally, it is essential that you are eligible to work permanently in the UK. We are unable to sponsor work visas.

To apply

If you’re intrigued and excited by what you’ve read so far, let’s see if you have what it takes to thrive at Pukka. To apply please attach your CV and answers to the four questions below.

- Who are you?

- How do you relate to others?

- Heart or head?

- Describe your energy