Overview
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. The research focuses on determining the nutrient and physical activity requirements necessary to promote well-being for older adults. 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 HNRCA’s human studies unit, the Metabolic Research Unit (MRU), is a scientific core that supports and facilitates the clinical aspects of data and biological sample collection from volunteer human subjects. Unit staff provide nursing, dietary, participant engagement, and study management services, as well as expertise and services in dietary data collection methods, coding, data cleaning and management, and dietary data analysis. All human research studies carried out in the MRU are reviewed and approved by the Tufts Medical Campus Institutional Review Board (IRB).
What You'll Do
This is a grant funded position and is not eligible for severance pay.
The Research Nutrition Technician will work within the metabolic research kitchen in the of the MRU under the supervision of the Research Dietitian. They will be involved in multiple research protocols that involve the metabolic kitchen. This position assists with research meal preparation, quantity food production, standardization and testing of recipes, and maintaining the integrity of protocol-specific research diets.
The Research Nutrition Technician will assist with implementing and monitoring of research protocols and will provide necessary assistance related to the provided diet to research subjects to help with study adherence. Other essential functions will include following safety and quality assurance standards, participating in improving work flow, and assisting in training of other staff or student help. This position may occasionally require work on nights or weekends as determined by study protocol needs.
What We're Looking For
Basic Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- 1-3 years’ experience in food service
- Experience with computer systems, including web-based applications and some Microsoft Office applications
- Basic math skills and ability to convert measurements between English and metric units
- Strong verbal communication skills; interacts well with others
- ServSafe and CITI Human Subject Protection certification
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in nutrition or Diet Technician, Registered (DTR)
- Familiarity with NDSR and/or other nutrition assessment databases
- Experience with diet screening, diet education, and diet development
Special Work Schedule Requirements:
- This position may occasionally require work on nights or weekends as determined by study protocol needs.
Pay Range
Minimum $19.30, Midpoint $23.15, Maximum $27.00
Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.
