Assistant Project Scientist - Nutrition Policy Institute (AP# 25-35)

Position Overview

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) Nutrition Policy Institute (NPI) offers a unique recruitment opportunity for Assistant Project Scientist to work on studies related to youth cardiometabolic health; school physical activity and nutrition programs (recess, PE, school meals); and nutrition and physical activity policy implementation science. Potential research projects include examining longitudinal trends in student cardiorespiratory fitness; determining changes in elementary school recess minutes and related practices pre-/post-passage of state-wide recess law in California; and determining the impact of school lunch program changes in New York City Public schools on student school meal participation.

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

Major duties and responsibilities of the Assistant Project Scientist will include collecting, cleaning, and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data; designing and managing studies; supporting grant writing efforts; and presenting and publishing research through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

The Assistant Project Scientist will also have the opportunity to develop grant writing and mentorship experience. This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate with expertise in quantitative methods and public health nutrition and physical activity who would like to develop expertise in areas such as natural experiments, drawing causal inference from observational data, randomized controlled trials, school health policy, qualitative methods, and implementation science. The Assistant Project Scientist will also develop and conduct applied research and evaluation that is consistent with UC ANR's Strategic Vision and NPI's Strategic Plan and disseminate findings and recommendations to inform programs and policy.

Reporting Relationship: The Assistant Project Scientist will report administratively and directly to the NPI Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

Education: A minimum of a doctorate degree in community nutrition, nutritional epidemiology, public health, health policy or a related field is required at the time of appointment. Preferred background includes experience with state and federal nutrition assistance programs.

Additional Qualifications:

* Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series and evidence for success in meeting required academic advancement criteria as per UC Academic Personnel Manual

* Experience in design and execution of community/public health nutrition research projects.

* Experience in grantsmanship, including submitting NIH and other federal and foundation grants, and history of conducting research and evaluations.

* Primary authorship in peer-reviewed journals and academic conference presentations of research findings.

* Qualitative and quantitative research skills which include research design, sampling plans, and sample size calculations, data collection methodology and data analysis methods, and interpretation of findings.

* Strong statistical training with experience in longitudinal analyses. Experience and high proficiency using statistical analysis software: Stata, SAS, or R.

* Ability to produce well designed presentation materials using PowerPoint or other related software applications.

* Ability to work on multiple simultaneous projects, prioritize, and complete work efficiently in the face of competing demands. Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills are required.

* Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

* This is not a remote position.

* We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. at the time of hire.

* As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.

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Preferred Qualifications:

* Experience with advanced quantitative methods (i.e. causal modeling, difference-in-differences, g-computation) and/or qualitative research

* Experience with qualitative software: NVivo, Dedoose, AtlasTI

Skills Required to be successful Project Scientists require skills in the following:

o Technical Competence & Impact

* Review the literature to inform study design and measures.

* Design and direct the development of detailed protocols and instruments for data collection including plans for testing of 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 one or more statistical programs commonly used in public health.

* Prepare data tables to summarize quantitative findings and summaries for qualitative data.

* Identify federal and non-federal funding opportunities; develop and write proposals as part of a collaborative team; and recruit collaborators.

o Communication

* Prepare and deliver oral presentations to summarize research findings for research, professional, and lay audiences.

* Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

* Prepare interim and final reports and project summary materials (including fact sheets and policy briefs) for funders, community stakeholders, and policy makers.

o Collaboration, Teamwork & Flexibility

* Foster collaborative teamwork with other NPI and UC academics and others to address priority research and evaluation topics.

* Interact with UC ANR Program Teams, specialists and others within the research/extension network to develop, strengthen and expand research.

* Build relationships to work with diverse populations.

o Professional Development & Lifelong Learning

* Participate in professional organizations and collaborate with federal, state and county governmental agencies, non-government organizations and others by providing independent science-based information.

* Maintain a program of continuous self-improvement by participating in trainings, seminars, workshops, staff meetings, work group & program team meetings, short courses, professional society meetings and other relevant opportunities.

About UC ANR

UC ANR is a division of the University of California (UC) system that bridges the gap between local issues and the expertise of the UC system by providing research-based information, educational programs, and technical expertise to the public in areas such as agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, and youth development. UC ANR is part of a nationwide Cooperative Extension network, which began in the early 20th century to connect research from land-grant universities with the everyday needs of people in communities across the United States. Today, we collaborate with farmers, ranchers, diverse communities, youth and adult educators, and policymakers to address local and statewide issues related to food systems, water, climate change, and sustainable agriculture through a statewide network of campus-based researchers, county-based Advisors, and community educators. Our mission is to cultivate thriving communities, sustainable agriculture, resilient ecosystems, and economic prosperity in California and globally through equitable generation and sharing of collaborative, science-based solutions. Over 250 UC ANR academics conduct research, extension, and education serving all 58 counties from 70+ locations, including county-based UCCE offices, 13 statewide programs and institutes, and 9 research and extension centers. By working and living among those we serve, UC ANR expands the University of California's reach to engage all people and communities in California, ensuring equal access to the resources UC has to offer. Our vision is that UC ANR will be valued in every California community for meaningful engagement and making a positive difference in people's lives.

Learn More

* UC ANR and UC ANR Mission Statement.

* Nutrition Policy Institute https://ucanr.edu/program/nutrition-policy-institute

* UC ANR administers Statewide Programs and Institutes that focus research and extension on solving priority problems that engage ANR academics and UC faculty in integrated teams

* UC ANR Strategic Initiatives help unify, communicate, and advocate for the work we do.

* UC ANR UC ANR uses seven Public Value statements to communicate how our work makes a difference to the public.

* UC ANR academics are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR's commitment to UC ANR's Affirmative Action policy

* UC ANR is committed to supporting inclusive excellence and is guided by UC ANR's Principles of Community. We strive to create an environment where all individuals, regardless of their background, feel valued and respected and have equal opportunities for growth and success.

Salary & Benefits

SALARY: The salary will be in the Project Scientist Series in Assistant Rank Step 1 - $76,700/year. For information regarding the Project Scientist represented series salary scales, please refer to https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t37-b.pdf. This is a represented position.

The Project Scientist position is a definite term appointment. This position is guaranteed for 2 years with the possibility for renewal for a third year. The position will be extended based on the continued need for the position, performance and availability of funding. The merit cycle is every two years. The performance in the position will be evaluated annually.

Benefits: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and holidays. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html.

How to Apply

If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose "applicants" (refer to position #25-35).

Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by January 2, 2026 (open until filled).

Questions?

Contact Mikyla Perez via mikperez@ucanr.edu

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring work authorization without need of employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment period.

University of California Cooperative Extension

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.

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 other protected status under state or federal law.

As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.

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The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. 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.