Assistant-Associate Project Scientist Nutrition Policy Institute ( 2 Positions available) 23-13

Assistant-Associate Project Scientist Nutrition Policy Institute ( 2 Positions available) 23-13

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Date Posted: September 11, 2023
Closing Date: October 10, 2023

Job Description: https://ucanr.edu/publicFiles/jobs/2626.pdf

Position Overview

Location Headquarters: UCOP, 1111 Franklin St. 11th Floor, Oakland, CA

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) offers a unique recruitment opportunity for an Assistant-Associate Project Scientist for the Nutrition Policy Institute. UC ANR operates a statewide network of researchers, educators and support staff dedicated to the development and application of knowledge to address local agricultural, environmental and community health issues. Research, outreach and education from locally based Cooperative Extension offices serve all 58 counties from 70+ locations throughout the state. Our mission is to bring the University of California directly to Californians through research, extension and education programs that support:

• Sustainable, safe, and nutritious food production and delivery
• Economic success in a global economy
• Sustainable, healthy, and productive environment
• Science literacy and youth development

By working and living among those we serve, UC ANR expands the University of California's reach to engage all people and communities in California, ensuring equal access to the UC system.

Purpose and Clientele:

The Nutrition Policy Institute (NPI) is an ANR statewide unit that conducts and translates policy- relevant research to transform environments for healthy children, families, and communities. NPI researchers work with other researchers throughout the UC system as well as local, state, and national partners. NPI projects are funded primarily from grants and contracts with 20-30 active research and evaluation projects underway at any given time, with a focus on the federal nutrition assistance programs and communities with low income.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The Project Scientist will critically review and synthesize the literature to develop research questions, hypotheses and study methods; develop participant recruitment and retention protocols and protocols for IRB submission; design and conduct collaborative research projects in multiple settings including communities, schools, WIC clinics, farmers' markets, and childcare facilities involving assessment of dietary intakes and the food environment for the prevention of chronic diseases and optimization of health and wellbeing; evaluate the impacts of programs, policies and practices designed to improve nutrition and reduce health disparities among children, families and communities; facilitate state and national interactions between researchers, policy makers, and diverse community groups; write grants, research reports and peer-reviewed publications; and develop science-based policy and environmental solutions to lifestyle-related health problems for diverse populations.

Reporting Relationship: The Project Scientist is administratively responsible to the NPI Project Scientist for the conduct of research and evaluation. The Project Scientist will report directly to NPI's Director of Food Systems & Policy Research and Translation.

Skills Required: To be successful, a Project Scientist requires skills in the following:
Technical Competence & Impact

• Review the literature to inform study design and
• Design and direct the development of detailed protocols and instruments for data collection including plans for testing of measurement methods.
• Train and supervise other data
• Coordinate data management. Determine appropriate analysis techniques for each dataset and research Conduct and supervise analyses using one or more statistical programs commonly used in public health.
• Prepare data tables to summarize quantitative findings and summaries for qualitative data.
• Identify federal and non-federal funding opportunities; develop and write proposals as part of a collaborative team; and recruit collaborators.
• Use qualitative analysis methods to identify themes from interviews, focus groups and open-ended survey responses.

Communication

• Prepare and deliver oral presentations to summarize research findings for research, professional, and lay audiences.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed
• Prepare interim and final reports, and project summary materials (including fact sheets and policy briefs) for funders, community stakeholders, and policy

Collaboration, Teamwork & Flexibility

• Foster collaborative teamwork with other NPI and UC academics and others to address priority research and evaluation topics.
• Interact with UC ANR Program Teams, specialists and others within the research/extension network to develop, strengthen and expand
• Build relationships to work with diverse

Professional Development & Lifelong Learning

• Participate in professional organizations and collaborate with federal, state and county governmental agencies, non-government organizations and others by providing independent science-based information.
• Maintain a program of continuous self-improvement by participating in trainings, seminars, workshops, staff meetings, work group & program team meetings, short courses, professional society meetings and other relevant opportunities.

Qualifications and Skills Required
Required Qualifications

Education: A minimum of a doctorate degree in a community nutrition, nutritional epidemiology, public health, health policy or a closely related field is required by the appointment start date.

Additional Requirements

• Experience in design and execution of community/public health nutrition research
• Experience in grantsmanship, including submitting NIH and/or other federal or foundation grants, and history of conducting research and evaluations.
• Primary authorship in peer-reviewed journals and academic conference presentations of research findings.
• Qualitative and quantitative research skills including research design, sampling plans, and sample size calculations, data collection methodology and data analysis methods, and interpretation of findings.
• Strong analytic skills including statistical programming and use of software for analysis of qualitative data.
• Ability to produce well designed presentation materials using PowerPoint or other related software applications.
• Ability to work on multiple simultaneous projects, prioritize, and complete work efficiently in the face of competing Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills are required.
• Ability to produce well designed presentation materials using PowerPoint or other related software applications.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication

Desired Qualifications:

• Preferred background includes experience with state and federal nutrition assistance programs, including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
• Preferred bilingual in English and another language commonly spoken among California residents.

About UC ANR

The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) consists of a network of scientists and educators working in partnership across the California. We are committed to developing and supporting healthy food systems, healthy environments, healthy communities, and healthy Californians. UC ANR administers UC Cooperative Extension UCCE), which is responsible for program development and delivery in the counties throughout the state of California.

Learn more about

• UC ANR at https://ucanr.edu

• Nutrition Policy Institute: https://npi.ucanr.edu/

• Our Strategic Initiatives http://ucanr.edu/sites/StrategicInitiatives/
• Our Public Value statements at https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/2016-2020_Strategic_Plan/Goal_5__Prioritize_programs_and_services/Public_values_statement/
• DEI: Further to the above, Project Scientists are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR's commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion https://ucanr.edu/sites/Professional_Development/Office_-_Team_Management/Diversity_Equity_Inclusion_Belonging/
• Affirmative Action: Further to the above, all UC ANR academics are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR's commitment to affirmative action. Learn more of UC ANR Affirmative Action policy: http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Diversity/Affirmative_Action/
• The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: The salary will be in the Assistant Project Scientist Rank, from Step 1- $71,500 to Step 6- $91,000 annually, or up to the Associate Project Scientist Rank, Step 1-$87,000 to Step 5-$107,600. Rank/step placement in this series is based on experience. For information regarding the Project Scientist series salary scales, please refer to https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2023-24/july-2023-acad-salary-scales/t37-b.pdf. This is a represented position.

The Project Scientist position is a definite term appointment. The position is a one-year renewable term appointment with a merit cycle every two years. The performance in the position will be evaluated annually. The position will be extended based on the continued need for the position, performance and availability of funding.

Benefits:

The University of California offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and holidays. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html
How to Apply

If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose “applicants” (refer to position #23-13)

Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by October 10, 2023 (open until filled)
Questions?

Contact Tatiana Avoce; email: mailto:tavoce@ucanr.edu

Applicants may wish to explore the UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars web page at https://siss.ucdavis.edu/ as a resource.

University of California Cooperative Extension

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.

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