Job Details

About Us:

At the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the causes of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia, Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts basic, clinical and population research. The Center includes Basic Science, Clinical Research, and Population and Public Health, enabling both focused research and translational science. Research at Pennington Biomedical is supported broadly by multiple NIH Research Centers, and includes approximately 65 faculty and 20 postdoctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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Job Posting Title:
Metabolic Nutrition Research Specialist - 2 positions

Position Type:
Professional / Unclassified

Department:
LSUPBRC Cores - Metabolic Kitchen - Operations (Rachel V Romaine (00006521))

Work Location:
LSU - Pennington Biomedical

Pay Grade:
Professional

Job Description:

Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a world-renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, is seeking a Research Specialist in the Metabolic Kitchen.

The research specialist will support nutritional research as an integrated component of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center by designing, preparing, and serving meals to meet study-specific criteria and produce valid scientific results. The metabolic research kitchen works closely with the Inpatient Clinic and Ingestive Behavior Laboratory, providing meals to these entities, collecting food intake data by weighing food provision and plate waste, and entering these data into the Centers Central Database.

Major Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve the research-designated diets that are precisely planned by dietitians to meet the requirements of each study protocol.
• Use and maintain electronic balances and food service equipment, with absence of error, to ensure quality control for standardized diets. Maintain sanitary standards and cleanliness of work areas while performing these duties.
• Supervise study-specific food preparation, tray assembly, and packed meal assembly. Documents food production quality assurances.
• Prepare composite food samples for laboratory analysis using correct measuring procedures and recording of information. Pack composite samples for shipping or for transfer to the food analysis laboratory.
• Requisition daily food supplies to maintain perpetual inventory of food supplies needed for the feeding protocol. Procure foods not available through vendors.
• Meet with volunteers as needed to explain procedures, checks and encourages compliance, identifies and reports any dietary-related problems to the research dietitian.
• Assist with screening study participants for inclusion in feeding studies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

*As part of a career progression group, vacancy may be filled from this recruitment as a Research Specialist 1 or 2 depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant.

• Bachelor's degree in dietetics, nutrition or related field.*
• Research Specialist 1 - Up to three (3) years of food service or relatable experience.
• Research Specialist 2 - Three (3) to five (5) years of food service or relatable experience.
• Nutrient analysis and understanding of food composition databases.
• Ability to prepare precise meals based on strict dietary requirements, sometimes down to specific grams of macronutrients.
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills for tracking food intake, meal compliance, and participant data.
• Ability to work with interdisciplinary research teams, including dietitians, physicians, and laboratory staff.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow strict research protocols.
• Ability to handle food preparation in a controlled setting and work in a structured environment.
• Ability to stand for long hours, lift food trays, and maintain kitchen cleanliness.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a metabolic kitchen, clinical research setting, hospital, or food service environment.
• Experience with controlled feeding studies, dietary assessments, or food preparation in a research environment.
• Knowledge of controlled diets and metabolic studies, including weighed food intake and menu planning for specific macronutrient and micronutrient requirements.
• Experience with food safety regulations and research protocols.

*If a candidate does not meet the education requirement listed, but has significant experience within the major job responsibilities, we welcome their application.

Pennington Biomedical Research Center (PBRC) is an equal employment opportunity employer and serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities.

Additional Job Description:

Competencies:
None

Special Instructions:
Interested candidates should include a cover letter, a resume, and a list of three (3) professional references to the online application. Official transcripts are required prior to hire and are not required at the time of application.

Professional references should be the name, title, company, and contact information from past employers. Professional references should include current or previous supervisors and/or coworkers. Personal references should not be considered for the reference check process.

We will respect the request that we not contact a current employer. However, we will need to contact a prior supervisor if such a request is made.

Posting Date:
April 2, 2025

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):
May 5, 2025

Additional Position Information:

Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For more information, visit PBRC.

Questions regarding career opportunities at Pennington Biomedical should be sent to ...@pbrc.edu.

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits - Pennington Biomedical Research Center offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University's partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

Essential Position (Y/N):

Pennington Biomedical Research Center/LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Contact Information:

Questions or concerns can be directed to PBRC Human Resources at 225-###-#### or ...@pbrc.edu.