Research Kitchen Coordinator

Position Summary
The Research Kitchen Coordinator plays a pivotal role in implementing study interventions to assess individualized dietary needs. Under the guidance of the Research Project Managers and in collaboration with Clinical Site Coordinators this position independently oversees the operation of the metabolic food laboratory kitchen and manages the dietetic research team. Key responsibilities include directing and supervising Dietetic Technicians and kitchen/nutrition staff to ensure the timely production of dietcontrolled meals in alignment with the recruitment schedule. The coordinator works across functional areas including both the metabolic food laboratory and clinical suite and collaborates with the leadership team to develop and refine procedures that meet research needs and ensure precise controlled diets are delivered. A core responsibility of this role is managing the preparation and delivery of nutrientcontrolled meals for human feeding studies. These meals must adhere to strict dietary protocols ensuring precision in nutrient content ingredient specifications and portion sizes. The coordinator will ensure all food is procured and prepared in accordance with study protocols with a focus on accuracy quality control and consistency across multiple study sites both nationally and internationally. The integrity of the study data depends on meticulous diet production including careful monitoring of food safety and sanitation practices throughout the procurement and preparation processes. The Research Kitchen Coordinator will also establish strong relationships with participants providing diet instruction and support to ensure adherence to study protocols. The role involves conducting regular assessments during meal pickups including energy calculations diet adjustments and monitoring for adverse events in collaboration with the clinical staff. The coordinator will review participant food logs and provide counseling to address any adherence issues. Additionally data collected during these interactions will be entered into the REDCap system for tracking and analysis. Working closely with study coordinators the Research Kitchen Coordinator will forecast kitchen needs balancing the demands of the metabolic food laboratory with clinic schedules to meet study milestones. ProNutra software will be used to generate meal production sheets labels and adjust menus to meet specific energy requirements. The coordinator will also support the development of study protocols and measurable outcomes in collaboration with Principal Investigators (PIs) and project managers offering expertise on the food study components of translational research.

Required Qualifications Competencies And Experience
Comprehensive knowledge of food resource management food safety food preparation techniques food composition and basic culinary skills. Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a team with strong problemsolving capabilities. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills including the ability to translate complex scientific concepts into accessible information for nonexpert audiences. Outstanding customer service and interpersonal communication abilities. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple workflows including staffing participant scheduling and meal production. Willingness to work a flexible schedule including early mornings with potential for occasional weekend and/or evening hours; schedule flexibility is shared among team members.

Preferred Qualifications Competencies And Experience
Registered Dietitian or eligibility to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration exam by the hire date. Proficiency in utilizing nutrition analysis software including but not limited to ProNutra. Proven experience in management and/or supervision within a relevant setting. Prior experience in food service or food systems management with a strong foundation in nutrition principles. Familiarity with clinical research and the regulatory standards governing research and human clinical trials. CITI certification or willingness to complete training upon hire. ServSafe certification or commitment to obtain within 30 days of hire. Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is highly preferred.