Assistant Professor, Nutrition Specialist (Las Vegas, NV)

Nevada System of Higher Education • Reno, NV

41d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Nutrition within the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) is seeking a tenure-track Assistant Professor, Nutrition Specialist. This position focuses on improving the nutritional health and well-being of school-age children and adolescents across Nevada. It is a full-time, 12-month appointment supported by both Extension and the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, reporting to the Department of Nutrition Chair. Located in Las Vegas, NV, the Nutrition Specialist will engage with communities statewide through innovative Extension programming, collaborative research, and outreach to diverse audiences, aiming to enhance youth health outcomes. This role offers a unique blend of Extension teaching, program leadership, applied research, and community partnership to tackle critical public health issues such as nutrition-related health disparities, food insecurity, and the social determinants of health affecting children and families. The ideal candidate is a collaborative scholar dedicated to improving children's and adolescents' nutritional health through research, evidence-based Extension programming, and strong community ties, with a vision to establish a nationally recognized program that addresses food insecurity, health disparities, and social determinants of health, making a significant impact on Nevada's youth and families.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Nutrition, Public Health, Community Health, Health Promotion, Nutritional Sciences, Dietetics, Family and Consumer Sciences, or a related field by the time of appointment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of nutrition, health promotion, public health, or related disciplines.
• Evidence of, or strong potential for, developing a scholarly research program and publishing in peer-reviewed venues.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences through teaching, presentations, outreach, or community engagement.
• Completion of a fingerprinting/background check.
• A valid Class “C” driver’s license or higher operator’s license within 30 days of appointment.

Nice To Haves

• Academic training, research, or professional experience in children's nutrition, adolescent health, public health nutrition, community nutrition, food security, health disparities, or related areas.
• Experience developing, implementing, or evaluating evidence-based nutrition education or health promotion programs.
• Record of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications, presentations, or other research dissemination activities.
• Experience obtaining or contributing to externally funded grants, contracts, or sponsored projects.
• Experience working collaboratively with community partners, schools, healthcare organizations, government agencies, or other stakeholder groups.
• Experience conducting community-engaged, translational, participatory, or applied research.
• Experience working with underserved, rural, culturally diverse, or historically marginalized populations.
• Experience partnering with schools, youth-serving organizations, healthcare systems, governmental agencies, or community-based organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and interpret quantitative and/or qualitative data to assess outcomes and impacts.
• Experience designing and delivering educational programming using in-person, online, and hybrid delivery methods.
• Experience supervising professional staff, student employees, volunteers, or multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience integrating student learning opportunities into community-engaged research and Extension programming.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential or eligibility for registration.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Familiarity with the Cooperative Extension System or similar outreach and engagement models.

Responsibilities

• Develop, deliver, and evaluate evidence-based educational programs and interventions that support healthy nutrition behaviors among children and adolescents.
• Build a nationally recognized program of scholarship that advances understanding of factors affecting youth nutrition and contributes to meaningful improvements in community health.
• Develop innovative nutrition interventions that produce measurable outcomes.
• Investigate dietary risk behaviors and factors that influence nutrition and health.
• Examine the impact of food insecurity and other social determinants of health on children and families.
• Explore the perspectives and roles of community stakeholders, including parents, guardians, teachers, healthcare providers, and community organizations.
• Translate research findings into practical, community-based solutions that improve health outcomes.
• Develop and implement evidence-based nutrition education programs for school-age youth, families, and community partners.
• Collaborate with schools, community organizations, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to address nutrition-related health concerns.
• Lead and support policy, systems, and environmental approaches to improve access to healthy foods and create sustainable conditions that support positive nutrition and health outcomes.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and demonstrate measurable impacts on participants and communities.
• Provide leadership in statewide nutrition programming and initiatives.
• Supervise, mentor, and support programmatic staff, students, and/or volunteers involved in nutrition education and outreach efforts; foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment that advances program goals and impacts.
• Travel throughout Nevada to support Extension programming and partnerships.
• Establish and sustain an impactful research agenda related to children's nutritional health and well-being.
• Secure extramural funding to support research and Extension activities.
• Publish scholarly work in peer-reviewed journals and disseminate findings through professional presentations and Extension publications.
• Integrate research findings into Extension programming to enhance community impact.
• Provide mentorship and academic guidance to graduate and undergraduate students, including participation on graduate committees, supervision of student research projects, and support for experiential learning opportunities aligned with Extension and research objectives.
• Contribute to university, Extension, professional, and community service activities.
• Participate in interdisciplinary collaborations that support the university's land-grant mission.

Benefits

• Health insurance options including dental and vision
• Generous annual, sick leave, long term disability and life insurance
• Mountain EAP supports employees (and eligible dependents) through life's difficult moments.
• Faculty Senate is the principal representing body for faculty.
• No state income tax!
• Reduced-rate tuition benefit to faculty and qualified dependents (up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate for faculty, unlimited for eligible dependents).
• Faculty Dual Career Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree