Research Specialist - Metabolic Kitchen

At the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the causes of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia,  is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts basic, clinical and population research. The Center includes Basic Science, Clinical Research, and Population and Public Health, enabling both focused research and translational science. Research at Pennington Biomedical is supported broadly by multiple , and includes approximately 65 faculty and 20 postdoctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities.

Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.##
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Title:

Research Specialist - Metabolic Kitchen## Position Type:

Professional / Unclassified## Department:

LSUPBRC Cores - Metabolic Kitchen - Operations (Rachel V Romaine ))##

Work Location:

LSU - Pennington Biomedical## Pay Grade:

Professional##

Job Description:

, a world-renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, is seeking a Research Specialist in the Metabolic Kitchen. The research specialist will support nutritional research as an integrated component of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center by designing, preparing, and serving meals to meet study-specific criteria and produce valid scientific results. The metabolic research kitchen works closely with the Inpatient Clinic and Ingestive Behavior Laboratory, providing meals to these entities, collecting food intake data by weighing food provision and plate waste, and entering these data into the Centers Central Database.

*** Major Responsibilities
**** Prepare and serve the research-designated diets that are precisely planned by dietitians to meet the requirements of each study protocol.
* Use and maintain electronic balances and food service equipment, with absence of error, to ensure quality control for standardized diets. Maintain sanitary standards and cleanliness of work areas while performing these duties.
* Supervise study-specific food preparation, tray assembly, and packed meal assembly. Documents food production quality assurances.
* Prepare composite food samples for laboratory analysis using correct measuring procedures and recording of information. Pack composite samples for shipping or for transfer to the food analysis laboratory.
* Requisition daily food supplies to maintain perpetual inventory of food supplies needed for the feeding protocol. Procure foods not available through vendors.
* Meet with volunteers as needed to explain procedures, checks and encourages compliance, identifies and reports any dietary-related problems to the research dietitian.
* Assist with screening study participants for inclusion in feeding studies.
* Other duties as assigned.
*** Required Qualifications
**** As part of a career progression group, vacancy may be filled from this recruitment as a Research Specialist 1 or 2 depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant.
** Bachelor's degree in dietetics, nutrition or related field.
* Research Specialist 1 - Up to three (3) years of food service or relatable experience.
* Research Specialist 2 - Three (3) to five (5) years of food service or relatable experience.
* Nutrient analysis and understanding of food composition databases.
* Ability to prepare precise meals based on strict dietary requirements, sometimes down to specific grams of macronutrients.
* Strong organizational and record-keeping skills for tracking food intake, meal compliance, and participant data.
* Ability to work with interdisciplinary research teams, including dietitians, physicians, and laboratory staff.
* Strong attention to detail and ability to follow strict research protocols.
* Ability to…