Please note that this position is contingent upon the successful award of a contract currently under bid.

Summary:

The Research Dietitian will provide high-level subject matter expertise in nutrition and human physiology to support the full lifecycle of military research studies; execute study coordination, ensuring strict adherence to regulatory compliance, data integrity, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP); facilitate the design and preparation of specialized metabolic research diets and the collection of complex physiological data; and support the dissemination of research finds to the broader scientific and military communities.

This position is based in Natick, MA and is primarily on-site, with situational telework permitted only when approved.

Essential Job Functions:

• Clinical Research Coordination: Provide comprehensive documentation and coordination for complex military-relevant human research studies from project development to closeout.
• Regulatory Compliance: Manage the development of research protocols and informed consent forms; manage Institutional Review Board (IRB) submission packages, continuing reviews, and final reports.
• Data Analysis & Software Proficiency: Perform data analysis using statistical software (e.g. SPSS) and nutrition-specific software (e.g. Food Processor).
• Metabolic Dietetics: Design, formulate, and prepare specialized research diets and menus for controlled feeding studies within a metabolic kitchen setting.
• Body Composition & Metabolic Testing: Conduct testing using various methods, including, but not limited to Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), InBody, and indirect calorimetry.
• Physiological Measurement: Execute a range of measurement techniques, including, but not limited to, cardiorespiratory exercise testing, phlebotomy, and high-altitude research procedures.
• Clinical Trial Management: Manage recruitment and daily operations for multiple nutrition-focused clinical trials while ensuring data integrity and adherence to GCP requirements.
• Technical Training: Assist in the hands-on training of other team members in clinical data collection and protocol compliance.
• Scientific Communication: Communicate research findings (both written and orally) to larger audiences, i.e., the dissemination of research findings through manuscript preparation and presentations at national scientific conferences.
• Provide administrative and technical support to facilitate communication between internal groups, research partners, and study volunteers to ensure project alignment and success.
• Document Management: Manage all study documentation and regulatory records to ensure a constant state of audit-readiness.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Provide expertise on the effects of nutrition interventions (e.g., probiotics, prebiotics, and symbiotics) on Warfighter health and performance.
• Field Research Operations: Provide technical oversight and coordination for the daily execution of military ration field tests in extreme environments (i.e. high altitude, extreme heat or cold) to gain unique operational insights.
• Protocol Implementation: Implement nutrition and lifestyle intervention protocols for randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
• Educational Content Development: Develop and deliver nutrition educational materials to enhance participant adherence to study protocol diets.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to monitor progress and provide technical inputs to ensure deliverables remain within established schedules and performance parameters.
• Epidemiology and Statistics: Apply subject matter expertise in epidemiology and statistics to support research outcomes.
• Human Subjects Protection Support: Support the human subjects recruitment process by providing technical expertise on participants’ rights and protocol requirements to ensure clinical interactions align with approved IRB ethical standards.

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Specialized knowledge of nutrition interventions, including probiotics, prebiotics, and symbiotics, and their effects on Warfighter health and performance.
• Strong scientific writing and presentation capabilities .
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) requirements and maintaining audit-ready study documentation.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Active Registered Dietitian (RD) credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• Current Certified Clinical Research Professional certification.
• Current CITI Program certifications for Biomedical Research Investigators and Study Coordinators and Research Monitors.
• Current Basic Life Support training
• Experience coordinating human-subjects/clinical research from study development through closeout.
• Experience developing research protocols and informed consent forms and supporting IRB submissions, continuing reviews, and final reports.
• Experience designing, formulating, and preparing specialized research diets and menus for controlled feeding studies.
• Experience with nutrition-specific software such as Food Processor.
• Experience with body composition and metabolic testing, including DEXA, InBody, and indirect calorimetry.
• Experience with cardiorespiratory exercise testing and phlebotomy.
• Statistical analysis experience using tools such as SPSS.
• Experience supporting military ration field tests/research in environmental extremes, including high altitude, extreme heat, and extreme cold.
• Travel: CONUS travel may be required to support research studies, field data collection, meetings, scientific conferences, and training. For Research Dietitian services, the Government estimates up to two meetings/conferences annually and up to six trips annually to support field-study data collection.
• Must obtain a favorably adjudicated Tier 3 investigation (or equivalent). At minimum, a favorable interim suitability determination must be granted before contract work begins, pending final adjudication.

Pay and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $81,000.00 to $95,000.00 annually. 

At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.