Assistant Project Scientist - Nutrition Policy Institute; AP at University of California

Assistant Project Scientist – Nutrition Policy Institute (AP 25‑35)

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applicants for the Assistant Project Scientist position in the Nutrition Policy Institute (NPI). The role focuses on youth cardiometabolic health, school physical activity, and nutrition programs, as well as nutrition and physical activity policy implementation science.

Open date:
October 30, 2025
Review date:
Friday, January 2, 2026, 11:59 pm (Pacific Time)
Final date:
Monday, February 2, 2026, 11:59 pm (Pacific Time)

The position is located at the UC ANR Headquarters, NPI, UC Office of the President, 1111 Franklin Street, Eleventh Floor, Oakland, CA 94607. Duties include collecting, cleaning, and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data; designing and managing studies; supporting grant writing; and presenting and publishing research. Fellows may develop expertise in natural experiments, causal inference, randomized controlled trials, school health policy, qualitative methods, and implementation science.

• Collect, clean, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data.
• Design and manage observational and experimental studies.
• Support grant writing and mentorship opportunities.
• Prepare peer‑reviewed publications and conference presentations.
• Disseminate findings to inform programs and policy.

The Assistant Project Scientist reports administratively and directly to the NPI Director.

Required

• Doctorate in community nutrition, nutritional epidemiology, public health, health policy, or a related field.
• Experience with state and federal nutrition assistance programs (preferred).
• Design and execution of community/public health nutrition research projects.
• Grantsmanship, including NIH and federal or foundation submissions.
• Primary authorship of peer‑reviewed journals and conference presentations.
• Strong quantitative skills: sampling plans, sample size calculations, data collection methods, statistical analyses.
• Advanced statistical training with longitudinal analysis; proficiency in Stata, SAS, or R.
• Proficiency with PowerPoint or equivalent presentation software.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

Preferred

• Advanced quantitative methods (causal modeling, difference‑in‑differences, g‑computation).
• Experience with qualitative software: NVivo, Dedoose, Atlas Ti.
• Familiarity with policy implementation science and school health policy.

• This is not a remote position.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.; no visa sponsorship available.
• Applicants may be asked to disclose certain misconduct or investigative history.

• Series:
  Project Scientist, Assistant Rank, Step 1 – $76,700 per year.
• Term: 2 years, with potential renewal for a third year.
• Benefits:
  Health insurance, retirement plans, 2 days paid vacation per month, 1 day paid sick leave per month, holidays.

• Curriculum Vitae – most recently updated CV.
• Cover Letter.
• Statement of Research and Extension – 2‑page statement of interests and potential goals/outcomes.
• References – 3–5 references with contact information.
• College‑level transcripts – electronic or PDF copies of original transcripts.

• 3–6 references (contact information only).

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity 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 any other protected status under state or federal law.

Oakland, California.

Submit your application through UC ANR’s online portal (position #25‑35) before the final date of February 2, 2026. For more information, visit the UC ANR website. For questions, contact Mikyla Perez at mikperez.