Nutrition Data Scientist

Title: Nutrition Data Scientist

Location: Minneapolis United States

Work Type: Remote, Full Time

Job ID: 371066

Job Description:

About the Job

The School of Public Health division of Epidemiology and Community Health is seeking applications for a full-time Nutrition Data Scientist to join the Nutrition Coordinating Center (NCC) interdisciplinary team that supports important nutrition research in the US and around the world.

Starting Salary Range: $25.97 - $31.25 per hour ($54,000 - $65,000 annually) dependent upon the selected candidate's relevant qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Work Arrangements: The University of Minnesota endorses a "Work. With Flexibility." and we offer a flexible work environment that meets the needs of our students, faculty, staff, and partners we serve. NCC staff have the option to work up to three days per week remotely, with the expectation that they will be in the office at least two days per week for team meetings and other collaborative activities. Work arrangements will be discussed during the interview. Onsite location: West Bank Office Building,1300 S 2nd Street, West-bank TC Campus

Position Summary

NCC develops and maintains Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR), a dietary analysis software program designed for the collection and analyses of food records, 24-hour dietary recalls, menus, and recipes. Researchers across the US license this program for use in their research studies. The Center also maintains and updates a premier food and nutrient database that is used by researchers and app developers. 

This position would work with our team of database scientists to update and maintain the NCC Food and Nutrient Database and work closely with our programmers and NDSR development team.

Primary responsibilities

(35%) Maintain and expand the NCC Food and Nutrient Database by determining nutrient values for foods in the Database using data sources such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foundation Foods and Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS) Databases; international food composition databases; and values available in the scientific literature

(35%) Add and update packaged foods and fast food restaurant items in the NCC Database by gathering nutrition facts label and ingredient statement information for packaged foods, and entering this information into an NCC developed Food Calculation Program (FoodCalP) for creation of food product formulations from which nutrient composition values beyond the label nutrient are estimated. Also, add and update multi-ingredient home-prepared foods using recipes obtained from cookbooks, recipe websites, and other sources

(20%) Work with NCC programmers to test and recommend changes to NDSR and the NCC software applications used to update and maintain the NCC Food and Nutrient database

(5%) Stay up to date on food consumption data science through contributing to research carried out at NCC and attending conferences

(5%) Work on miscellaneous ad hoc projects as they arise

Qualifications

All required qualifications must be included in the application materials

Required

• Bachelor's degree plus at least two years of experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience to equal six years
• Detail orientation for executing complex multi-faceted processes
• Effective time management skills with the ability to handle multiple ongoing projects
• Background in nutrition and/or food science
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful workplace

Preferred

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in nutrition science
• Experience working independently and as part of a team

Are you excited about this job and meet the required qualifications, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every preferred qualification? If this is you, we strongly encourage you to apply because you just may be the right candidate for this role.

About the Department

The University of Minnesota School of Public Health (SPH) is Minnesota's only school of public health, committed to improving the health and well-being of communities worldwide. Through innovative research, learning, and concrete action, we tackle today's biggest health challenges. SPH includes four academic divisions: Biostatistics & Health Data Science, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology & Community Health, and Health Policy & Management.

Ranked nationally by the U.S. News & World Report as the #6 public school of public health, SPH is home to approximately 1,000 students, 130 faculty, and 400 staff across 25 internationally recognized centers. Our academic excellence is highlighted by our #3-ranked Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) and #9-ranked Biostatistics programs.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $25.97 - $31.25 per hour ($54,000 - $65,000 annually); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area