Research centre cuts science jobs

Scientists at one of Britain's leading basic long-term food research organisations will find out in the next couple of weeks whether they will lose their jobs.

The Norwich-based Institute of Food Research (IFR) is to reveal the 25 science posts to be axed as part of a restructuring to cut costs and refocus its activities. IFR employs around 290 staff in total.

IFR said the restructuring was not in response to external pressures: "We take our science where our peer review, research council and scientists say our science should be."

IFR's income from commercial industry contracts is about 9% of its £14.5m turnover and would not exceed an upper 15%, it claimed.

IFR also plans to appoint new scientists in a "staged recruitment" process. Initially it wants three senior staff to lead new teams of three to five researchers in molecular immunology, gastrointestinal tract physiology and microbiology and personalised nutrition.

IFR's director Professor David White said: "The introduction of new skills is essential to achieve our long-term vision and will inject renewed health into our science strategy."

He added: "These measures will give us breathing space to maintain our international reputation for research into the impact of food on human health, while improving our financial position and strengthening our expertise in some areas of science."

IFR and its neighbour the John Innes plant science centre will also combine some administrative and support functions.