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NATURE AND PURPOSE

The position of Junior Specialist has a focus in a specialized area and provides technical or specialized expertise in the planning and execution of research projects. The Junior Specialist stays apprised of the research area and maintains technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. The Junior Specialist will be actively and significantly engaged in research to understand how dietary patterns affect metabolic parameters such as blood pressure, blood lipids, blood glucose; how diets with reduced energy content affect appetite and satiety; and following the controlled intervention period, if diets or exercise patterns change.

In general, it is inappropriate to appoint an individual with a Master’s or doctoral degree in the relevant discipline or a baccalaureate degree plus three or more years of experience with the specialized methods as a Junior Specialist.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

At the Western Human Nutrition Research Center, administratively housed in the Nutrition Department, researchers conduct a variety of studies of nutrition involving human participants. The Junior Specialist is engaged in research under the mentorship of experienced faculty researchers and support scientists. The Junior Specialist is actively and significantly involved in research data collection, data summary and quality assurance monitoring, dietary assessment using a variety of on-line tools, physical activity monitoring, planning, preparing and educating participants regarding study interventions. The Junior Specialist will be working on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans study that includes diet interventions and a physical activity component. The Junior Specialist will be working in the lab of Dr. Nancy Keim at USDA, ARS, WHNRC located on the UC Davis campus and affiliated with the Department of Nutrition. The Junior Specialist will have the opportunity to work with other study team scientists at WHNRC.

RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (90%)

a. The Junior Specialist position will be involved in an interdisciplinary study focusing on questions in nutrition, weight control, and energy balance in the context of a controlled human nutrition research study.
b. The Junior Specialist will use their educational background in Nutrition to collect, process, analyze, and manage study data.

c. The Junior Specialist will follow the procedures found in the study’s Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) and will participate in the revising of study protocols on an ‘as needed’ basis.
d. General responsibilities of the Junior Specialist include the following: human nutrition research study support, interacting with study participants, assisting with dietary analysis, data management, and writing study reports.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5%)

a. The Junior Specialist will be actively involved in surveying literature, reviewing journal articles, and engaging in discussions on research.
b. The Junior Specialist will use their academic and professional expertise to make scientific contributions to the research study and will have the opportunity to contribute to published research.

UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5%)

a. The Junior Specialist may participate in activities of committees within the WHNRC and mentor undergraduate student interns, as appropriate.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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 other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their "Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.