Assistant Professor of Precision & Performance Nutrition

University of Maine System • Orono, ME

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The School of Food & Agriculture (SFA) at the University of Maine is seeking a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Precision & Performance Nutrition. The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in nutritional metabolism and performance nutrition. This role involves contributing to the school's teaching, research, and service mission, addressing nutrition and health challenges, and providing nutrition education and counseling for the University of Maine’s D1 student athletes. The initial appointment will be split with 40% teaching, 30% research, and 30% service. Teaching assignments may include Introduction to Food and Nutrition, Human Nutrition and Metabolism/Advanced Human Nutrition, and a new course on sports nutrition. The successful candidate is expected to establish an externally funded research program, mentor graduate researchers, and collaborate on precision and performance nutrition research. Service responsibilities include providing nutrition services for UMaine Athletics. This is an extended, 10.5-month appointment (July 15-May 31) with 1.5 months dedicated to summer nutrition services for student athletes and the potential to teach online during the summer term. The summer component is initially for six years, subject to success and funding. The typical hiring salary for this 10.5-month position is $84,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Requirements

• Earned Ph.D. in Nutrition, or in a closely related field with a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition.
• Credentialed Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
• Must have or obtain a state of Maine Licensed Dietitian (LD) credential prior to providing individualized nutrition care, per state law.
• Expertise in precision nutrition and the nutritional needs of young adults, especially athletes.
• Prior experience in teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level.
• Prior nutrition counseling and/or nutrition education experience.
• Evidence of potential for scholarship, such as peer-reviewed publications or successful grant applications.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Evidence or promise of dedication to professional as well as institutional service.

Nice To Haves

• Willingness to obtain Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) or Certified International Society of Sports Nutrition (CISSN) credential.
• Prior experience providing nutrition counseling to athletes.
• Prior experience as an instructor or teaching assistant using Brightspace or similar learning management systems.
• Willingness to develop asynchronous online graduate courses.
• Evidence of collaborative interdisciplinary research and partnerships with non-academic or industry organizations.
• Post-doctoral fellow experience in nutrition or health.

Responsibilities

• Developing and delivering nutrition services to UMaine’s student athletes, including group and individual nutrition counseling during the school year and the summer.
• Serving as a nutrition programming resource for coaches and managers, providing consultation on athlete fueling stations, and delivering or supervising non-credit nutrition and food preparation classes for athletes.
• Developing and teaching essential undergraduate and graduate courses in nutrition in the online M.S. program in Food Science and Human Nutrition.
• Developing and teaching an undergraduate course in sports nutrition.
• Facilitating a Dietetic Internship rotation in Sports Nutrition.
• Establishing a successful and nationally recognized human nutrition research program, preferably in performance or precision nutrition.
• Preparing applications for external funding that lead to grant awards.
• Advising, mentoring, and providing research experiences for students at all levels.
• Forming collaborations with internal and external partners to increase grant success, address important nutrition and health issues, and benefit the nutrition of athletes and/or individuals with specific nutritional needs.

Benefits

• Tuition benefits (employee and dependent)
• Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability
• Retirement plan options

What This Job Offers

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