The Research Dietitian develops and implements specialized research diets and controlled feeding protocols for clinical studies. They are responsible for educating participants, monitoring dietary compliance, and managing study-related nutrition data.
Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a world-renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, is seeking a Research Dietitian in the Ingestive Behavior, Weight Management and Health Promotion Laboratory. The Research Dietitian will work closely with a small team of researchers and dietitians and will participate in all aspects of clinical research conducted by the Ingestive Behavior Laboratory, including collaboration in the development and execution of research studies, collection management and analysis of study data, development and delivery of dietary & behavioral interventions, and creation and testing of mHealth applications.
Major Responsibilities Plans, develops, and implements specialized research diets and controlled feeding protocols in accordance with study requirements and investigator specifications.
Educates research participants on study diets, meal compliance, food preparation instructions, and protocol requirements to support participant adherence and study integrity.
Collaborates with principal investigators, study coordinators, nurses, and research staff to support study start-up activities, protocol implementation, and ongoing study operations.
Monitors participant dietary compliance and documents deviations, adverse events, and study-related nutrition data in accordance with protocol and regulatory requirements.
Maintains accurate research records, source documentation, nutrient databases, food production logs, and study-related data entry within applicable electronic systems.
Assists with development of menus, recipes, nutrient calculations, and standardized procedures to support clinical and metabolic research studies.
Ensures compliance with institutional policies, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), sponsor requirements, and applicable federal, state, and regulatory guidelines.
Participates in quality assurance activities, audits, monitoring visits, and protocol training sessions related to metabolic research operations.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications Master’s degree in Dietetics, Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, or related field from an accredited institution. *If you established your exam eligibility prior to December 31, 2023, a bachelor’s degree is required.
Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist in the State of Louisiana or ability to obtain licensure prior to hire.
One year of experience in clinical nutrition, metabolic nutrition, research nutrition, clinical trials, which can include internships, academic research, or work in a clinical or research lab setting.
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with research participants and interdisciplinary teams.
Ability to accurately document, manage data, and maintain compliance with research protocols and regulatory requirements.
Pennington Biomedical Research Center seeks to recruit a highly productive workforce with a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees.
Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.
This position is not eligible for remote work.
A letter of application/cover letter is recommended but not required. Official transcripts are required prior to hire and are not required at the time of application. Posting Date: July 22, 2026 Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified): August 22, 2026 Additional
Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For more information, visit PBRC. Questions regarding career opportunities at Pennington Biomedical should be sent to hrm@pbrc.edu. Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.
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! Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement. Essential Position (Y/N): Pennington Biomedical Research Center/LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Contact Information: Questions or concerns can be directed to PBRC Human Resources at 225-763-2776 or hrm@pbrc.edu.
Requires a Master's degree in Dietetics or Nutrition (or a Bachelor's if eligibility was established before Dec 2023) and RD/RDN credentials. Candidates must be licensed in Louisiana and have at least one year of experience in clinical or research nutrition.
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