Dietitian (Clinical Research)

Research Dietitian

The mission of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (HNRCA) is to promote healthy aging through nutrition science to empower people seeking to enjoy long, active, and independent lives. HNRCA investigators conduct the world's most advanced studies on nutrition and aging. HNRCA scientists examine how nutrition and physical activity play a major role in the prevention of the major chronic degenerative conditions and diseases associated with aging.The Metabolic Research Unit (MRU) is an HNRCA scientific core that supports and facilitates the clinical aspects of data and biological sample collection from volunteer human subjects. MRU staff provide nursing, dietary, participant engagement, and study management services. The Dietary Assessment Unit (DAU) provides expertise and services in dietary data collection methods, coding, data cleaning and management, and dietary data analysis, as well as assistance in the development of dietary intervention sections of new protocols, advice on dietary data collection methodologies, production of manuals of procedures and other nutrition-related materials, and development of new methodologies to improve the collection of dietary data.

This is a grant funded position and is not eligible for severance pay.

The Research Dietitian will work with principal investigators to develop and implement research-driven feeding protocols, will translate those protocols into standardized operating procedures that ensure high-quality food service by the HNRCA metabolic kitchen, and will work with dietary technicians and other MRU/DAU staff on menu development and the delivery of research diets related to human nutrition studies. S/he will also lead and/or participate in dietary screening of study participants for various research protocols; administering protocol-specific instructions/dietary guidance to active study participants; developing and implementing research diets; managing dietary data collected by MRU; training and instructing diet technicians, dietetic interns, and other dietary staff. S/he will also lead and/or participate in the administration and review of dietary assessment tools for multiple protocols, including food records, 24-hour recalls, and food frequency questionnaires. The Research Dietitian will also assist with data entry/coding and quality control checks of dietary data collected by the MRU/DAU. In addition, s/he will assist the DAU/MRU Manager in the following: DAU-related literature searches; development and validation of new dietary assessment tools as required with new protocols; and recruitment, hiring, on-boarding, and training of permanent and temporary MRU and DAU staff.

Collaborate with principal investigators on the development of feeding protocols dictated by research objectives; develop budgets for dietary aspects of clinical studies; develop, implement, and adjust menus and recipes according to study requirements and study participants' needs; create standardized operating procedures for the production of study meals and products; oversee production, service, and related data collection for all research diets.

Train, educate, and manage staff and students on activities related to dietary services, including kitchen operations, recipe and menu preparation, implementation of research diets, adherence to protocol requirements, and customer service; oversee training and certification requirements, such as ServSafe, CITI, and Good Clinical Practice training; serve as dietetic intern preceptor as needed.

Lead and/or participate in dietary screening of potential study participants for protocol-specific considerations, including food allergies, food preferences, and certain inclusion/exclusion criteria related to diet or behavioral interventions; educate/counsel research participants on dietary regimens according to protocol; monitor adherence to study protocols and document diet intervention; respond to research participant inquiries or concerns; evaluate and determine appropriate courses of action to address concerns.

Lead and/or participate in the administration, collection, and review of diet assessment tools/data such as food records, 24-hour recalls and food frequency questionnaires, in accordance with scientific protocols. Lead and/or participate in data entry/coding, processing, and quality control of collected dietary data.

Support DAU/MRU manager with management of staff and calendar to make sure all protocol-specific needs are covered; work closely with study coordinators and other MRU staff to keep up to date on new and altered schedules.

Assist in dietary literature searches, the development of new dietary assessment tools, and the recommendation and adoption of new technologies.

Respond to occasional dietary questions by phone or email during non-working hours when required by study protocol.

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

Master's Degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or equivalent

One to two years of experience in a research setting

Microsoft Office, Medline/PubMed, familiarity with nutrition assessment databases

Strong verbal communication skills; interacts well with others

Ability to obtain ServSafe and Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training to work with human subjects within one month of start date

Registered Dietitian (RD)

Experience with Nutrition Data Systems for Research (NDSR) or similar food analysis program and familiarity with U.S. food items and food patterns

Two or more years of research experience

Massachusetts License for Dietitians/Nutritionists (LDN)

This position may occasionally require work on evenings and/or weekends as determined by study need.

Minimum $67,200.00, Midpoint $83,900.00, Maximum $100,700.00 Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.

Tufts University