Research Specialist - Metabolic Kitchen

Louisiana State University

12d

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

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.

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!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level