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IDP Post Doc Recruitment Letter
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POSTDOCTORAL POSITION AT USDA WESTERN HUMAN NUTRITION RESEARCH CENTER, DAVIS, CA

March 31, 2020

Assignment: A Research Associate (postdoctoral fellow) position is open in the Immunity and Disease Prevention (IDP) Research Unit at the USDA Western Human Nutrition Research Center in Davis, California. The successful candidate will use dietary intake analysis methods to assess how dietary patterns and specific foods (particularly foods rich in fiber) affect human health, particularly immune and gut health. The incumbent will be part of a team currently consisting of a microbiologist, immunologist and nutritionist/data scientist focusing on the effects of dietary fiber (particularly fermentable fiber) on the intestinal microbiome, gut health and immunologic health. The specific research assignment will have two components: (1) Work with the supervisor (Dr. Charles Stephensen) and other IDP scientists to analyze existing data from the WHNRC Nutritional Phenotyping Study to characterize the association of dietary intake (assessed by 24 h recall and food frequency questionnaire), particularly the intake of dietary fiber, with health outcomes, particularly inflammation and immune activation. (2) Work with IDP scientists to develop and implement a longitudinal human study protocol to examine the association of habitual differences in dietary fiber intake among healthy adults on immune and gut health. The initial phase of this study will be a short-term pilot to assess optimal methods of assessing dietary fiber intake in the setting of a cohort study.

Previous training: The research assignment requires a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in nutrition or a related field, professional knowledge of human nutrition, food composition, experience with currently accepted research methods for dietary intake analysis (including food frequency questionnaires, food records and 24-h dietary recall analysis) as well as some knowledge of newer, developing methods of dietary intake analysis such as those using personal electronic devices. Knowledge of epidemiologic methods related to the design, implementation and analysis of data from community or clinical research with human volunteers is desirable.

Salary and duration of appointment: The duration of the appointment will be from two to four years. The position is available immediately at the GS-11 level.

For more information and to apply: Contact Dr. Charles Stephensen, Research Leader, Immunity and Disease Prevention Research Unit, USDA Western Human Nutrition Research Center, 430 West Health Sciences Drive, University of California, Davis, CA 95616. e-mail: charles.stephensen@usda.gov.