CLINICAL RESEARCH DIETITIAN SENIOR
UAB Medicine
Description
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is recruiting a Senior Clinical Research Dietitian to join a nationally recognized nutrition research program within the Department of Nutrition Sciences. This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of clinical nutrition, metabolic research, and controlled feeding studies, supporting innovative investigations that advance understanding of nutrition and human health. The Senior Clinical Research Dietitian will play a central role in designing and implementing clinical nutrition protocols, managing research diets, and conducting advanced metabolic testing (DEXA, BIA, REE, VO2 max, and room calorimetry). This role collaborates closely with investigators, research staff, and the metabolic kitchen team to ensure the highest standards of dietary precision, participant adherence, and regulatory compliance.
Responsibilities also include contributing to grant development, IRB submissions, data analysis, and scientific publications, while mentoring junior research staff and supporting multidisciplinary research teams.
Join a collaborative academic environment committed to transformational research, innovation, and improving human health through nutrition science. Applicants passionate about advancing metabolic and clinical nutrition research are encouraged to apply.
General Responsibilities
To supervise and conduct advanced nutrition research within the UAB Department of Nutrition Sciences, managing dietary protocols and ensuring participant adherence to study requirements.
To support research excellence, design and evaluate research diets, oversee meal preparation in collaboration with the Metabolic Kitchen Manager, and assist with grant proposals, manuscript preparation, and IRB submissions.
To promote quality and collaboration, develop detailed work plans, lead nutrition-related events, and perform research testing using equipment such as DEXA, BIA, REE, VO Max, and room calorimetry.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Mentors Clinical Research Dietician I's and junior research staff to promote efficiency, quality, and compliance.
Designs, manages, and implements clinical nutrition research studies and protocols.
Participates in the recruitment of participants, including the conduction of the consent process according to regulatory guidelines.
Coordinates care and/or follow-up functions of the study, including planning and developing related activities.
Employs strategies to maintain recruitment and retention rates.
Assists the Metabolic Kitchen Director with grant proposals, IRB submissions, and research budgets.
Maintains compliance with federal, state, and accrediting agencies.
Inputs, analyzes, and reports research data; contributes to manuscripts and quality improvement initiatives.
Completes Case Report Forms (CRF) according to protocol.
Documents Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) as required by protocol and regulatory guidance.
Assists with the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Conducts patient screenings, dietary assessments, and nutrition testing (DEXA, BIA, REE, VO Max, room calorimetry).
Oversees the preparation and distribution of study meals and educational materials to participants.
Processes and maintains lab specimens.
Manages site supplies and performs administrative duties in support of research conduction as needed.
Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams and maintains accurate, organized research records.
Serves as a liaison with medical staff, University Departments, ancillary departments and/or satellite facilities.
Participates in meetings, training sessions, and continuous improvement efforts
Performs other duties as assigned.
Annual Salary Range: $57,940 - $94,150
Qualifications
Master's degree in human nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or nutrition education required, if licensed on or after 01/01/2024; OR a Bachelor's degree in human nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or food systems management is required if licensed on or prior to 12/31/2023; AND three (3) years of related experience is required. Work experience may NOT substitute for education requirement. Currently licensed (active or temporary) as a Dietitian with the State of Alabama Board of Examiners for Dietetic/Nutrition Practice required. Must be ServSafe Certified Food Systems Manager or be willing to obtain within thirty (30) days of hire. Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) or Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) certification preferred.
Preferences
This position requires independent judgment to design and manage clinical nutrition research protocols, including determining study budgets, ensuring dietary interventions, participant testing, and study procedures align with scientific objectives and regulatory requirements.
It also requires decisions related to data interpretation, participant safety and adherence, and coordination of metabolic kitchen operations and multidisciplinary research teams to maintain study quality, efficiency, and compliance.
UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, and veteran's status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.