Associate Director for Precision Nutrition and AgriLife Research Professor

Associate Director for Precision Nutrition - Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture

Location:

College Station, Texas

The Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture (IHA) is the world’s first research institute to combine precision nutrition, responsive agriculture, and behavioral research to reduce diet-related chronic disease while considering environmental and economic effects. IHA’s mission is to optimize health for current and future generations through innovative research connecting agriculture, food systems, and nutrition.

This faculty position provides strategic, scientific, and programmatic leadership for Precision Nutrition (PN) initiatives  Associate Director will advance IHA’s mission by fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, securing external funding, and translating research into actionable dietary strategies and agricultural innovations.

• Strategic Leadership – Lead and expand IHA’s Precision Nutrition research portfolio; develop and execute a bold vision that builds synergy across IHA focus areas.
• Research Excellence – Advance discoveries in nutrition, including effects of foods, nutrients, bioactives, dietary patterns, gut microbiota interactions, and interindividual variability. Translate mechanistic insights into actionable dietary strategies and agricultural innovations.
• Program Development and Collaboration – Build cross‑disciplinary teams, foster partnerships with federal agencies (e.g., NIH, USDA), industry, and academia. Lead large‑scale, multi‑investigator grants and initiatives.
• Education and Mentorship – Mentor graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty; contribute to nutrition and related discipline education.
• National Leadership and Service – Represent IHA in national organizations; serve on scientific advisory panels, editorial boards, and policy discussions.

• Ph.D. in Nutrition, Nutritional Sciences, or a related field.
• Established record of high-impact publications in leading journals.
• Established record of sustained extramural funding (e.g., NIH, USDA).
• Demonstrated leadership in interdisciplinary research and program development.
• Strong commitment to collaboration and team science.

• Expertise in human clinical nutrition or other modern precision nutrition approaches.
• Professional credentials such as Registered Dietitian (RD) or equivalent clinical experience.
• Proven ability to lead large‑scale collaborative initiatives.
• Experience translating research into practice, policy, or food/agricultural systems.
• Track record of leadership in national or international scientific organizations.

Compensation is commensurate with qualifications.

• Health, dental, vision, life and long‑term disability insurance.
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays.
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Employee Wellness Initiative.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.