Assistant Project Scientist

Assistant Project Scientist

Job #JPF
00340 – UCANR Nutrition Policy Institute (NPI).

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) Nutrition Policy Institute (NPI) offers this Assistant Project Scientist position to conduct interdisciplinary research related to youth cardiometabolic health, school physical activity and nutrition programs, and nutrition and physical activity policy implementation science. Projects may include longitudinal studies of student cardiorespiratory fitness, evaluation of state-wide recess law impacts on elementary school recess minutes, and assessment of school lunch program changes in New York City public schools.

Location:

UC ANR, NPI, UC Office of the President, 1111 Franklin Street, Eleventh floor, Oakland, CA 94607.

Major duties include collecting, cleaning, and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data; designing and managing studies; supporting grant writing; and presenting and publishing research through peer‑reviewed publications and conference presentations. The role also offers opportunities to develop grant writing and mentorship experience.

The position reports administratively and directly to the NPI Director.

• A minimum of a doctorate in community nutrition, nutritional epidemiology, public health, health policy, or a related field.
• Preferred background includes experience with state and federal nutrition assistance programs.

• Meet appointment criteria for the University of California academic title series and evidence of meeting UC advancement criteria.
• Experience in design and execution of community/public health nutrition research projects.
• Experience in grantsmanship, including NIH and other federal/foundation grants, and research evaluation history.
• Primary authorship in peer‑reviewed journals and conference presentations.
• Qualitative and quantitative research skills, including design, sampling, sample size calculations, data collection methodology, and analysis.
• Strong statistical training and proficiency in longitudinal analyses using Stata, SAS, or R.
• Ability to produce well‑designed presentation materials using PowerPoint or related software.
• Ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects, prioritize, and meet competing demands; excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• This position is not remote.
• No employer sponsorship of employment visa; applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at hire.
• Must disclose any misconduct or related administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years.

• Experience with advanced quantitative methods (e.g., causal modeling, difference‑in‑differences, g‑computation) and/or qualitative research.
• Proficiency with qualitative software such as NVivo, Dedoose, or Atlas
  
  TI.

• Review the literature to inform study design and measures.
• Design and direct development of detailed protocols and instruments for data collection, including plans for testing measurement methods.
• Train and supervise other data collectors.
• Coordinate data management.
• Determine appropriate analysis techniques for each dataset and research question.
• Conduct and supervise analyses using public health statistical programs.
• Prepare data tables summarizing quantitative findings and qualitative summaries.
• Identify funding opportunities; develop and write proposals as part of a collaborative team; recruit collaborators.

• Prepare and deliver oral presentations for research, professional, and lay audiences.
• Prepare manuscripts for peer‑reviewed journals.
• Prepare interim and final reports and project summary materials (fact sheets, policy briefs) for funders, community stakeholders, and policymakers.

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

• Partic…