The Department of Nutrition within the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources (CABNR) at the University of Nevada, Reno is seeking applicants for a tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor, Nutrition Specialist. This is a full-time faculty appointment supported by both Extension and the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station. The position is based at the Clark County Extension office in Las Vegas, NV, with statewide responsibilities that require travel and collaboration. The role involves 50% off-campus Extension teaching, 40% research and 10% service. 

Programmatic Emphases

The Nutrition Specialist will develop and implement evidence-based interventions aimed at improving the nutritional health of school-age children and adolescents, with a particular focus on addressing health disparities related to diet, food insecurity and other social determinants of health. Scholarly and research efforts may include, but are not limited to, developing innovative approaches that yield measurable outcomes; investigating risk behaviors and their associated factors; and exploring the roles and perspectives of key community stakeholders (e.g., parents, guardians, teachers, health care providers) in enhancing children’s nutritional health. Teaching and research are expected to positively impact the residents of Clark County and Nevada as a whole.

Responsibilities

The Nutrition Specialist will effectively integrate community-based Extension teaching and programming, applied research and professional/community service efforts to improve nutritional health and reduce health disparities among Nevadans. The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Lead impactful nutrition programs that address critical needs using policy, systems and environmental approaches, in addition to direct education.

• Develop culturally responsive programs tailored to diverse audiences, including under-represented and underserved populations.

• Establish a nationally recognized research program that informs nutrition programs and policies, secure extramural funding and publish in peer-reviewed journals.

• Participate and contribute to the Extension Nutrition Team in the development of curriculum intervention/strategies and program evaluation, including those related to federally funded initiatives (e.g., SNAP-Ed and EFNEP).

• Mentor and supervise graduate student research.

• Build impactful collaborations with colleagues within the Nevada System of Higher Education, as well as other non-governmental organizations and public agencies.

• Contribute to a vibrant and inclusive academic community through collegiality, cooperation and collaboration.

This position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of Nevadans.

Required Qualifications

• A doctoral degree in nutrition, public health nutrition or a closely related field.

• Experience in developing, implementing and/or evaluating community-based nutrition programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) certification.

• Prior experience in Extension and community-based programming.

• A strong record of independent and collaborative scholarly activities, including peer-reviewed publications and securing external funding.

• Experience working in an interdisciplinary environment.

• Proven ability to work with diverse audiences.

• Proven ability to work with school-aged and adolescent populations

• Demonstrate leadership skills.

• Prior success in engaging the public, stakeholders and other community groups.