Scientist II - Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging

The mission of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (HNRCA) is to promote healthy aging through nutrition science to empower people seeking to enjoy long, active, and independent lives. HNRCA investigators conduct the world's most advanced studies on nutrition and aging. HNRCA scientists examine how nutrition and physical activity play a major role in the prevention of the major chronic degenerative conditions and diseases associated with aging.

The HNRCA provides a strong research environment that includes multiple research laboratories that engage in cellular and molecular studies, animal studies, human metabolic studies, and epidemiological research. HNRCA scientists have preferred access to six in-house scientific core units - Bioinformatics and Data Management, Biostatistics, an AALAC-accredited Comparative Biology unit, Dietary Assessment, Mass Spectrometry, a 25,000-square-foot Metabolic Research Unit for human studies, and the Nutrition Evaluation Laboratory for Clinical Chemistry - and new Scientist IIs receive a startup funding allocation for use in the cores.

Scientists at the HNRCA receive an annual funding allocation for partial salary support; all scientists are expected to pursue extramural funding to support their research. All new Scientist IIs are assigned a mentoring committee composed of senior academics in related areas of research who serve as a resource in developing an independent research program, and scientists have access to a center-wide peer-review committee to provide feedback on grants in development. Further, all HNRCA scientists receive extensive pre-award support from an in-house team of center-dedicated research administrators, as well as post-award grants management support and ongoing administrative support. While many HNRCA scientists hold secondary faculty appointments elsewhere at Tufts, there is no required teaching load.

The HNRCA is seeking Scientist II (equivalent to assistant professor) who is highly motivated and committed to the HNRCA's mission to promote healthy aging through nutrition science, diet, and physical activity. Successful candidates will have strong potential for multidisciplinary collaboration in basic and clinical research involving expanding and improving the human health-span or a research portfolio that includes other age-related topics (e.g., cellular senescence). Candidates should be engaged in research that will build on the existing work of the HNRCA or that can be leveraged to develop new complementary areas of focus. We are also seeking scientists who have worked in environments that encourage a "team science" approach to research.

Essential Functions:

• Plan and conduct independent mission-related research in collaboration with other investigators at the HNRCA, elsewhere at Tufts, and at other institutions; collect and analyze data for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Develop grant proposals to secure extramural grant funding from the government or other peer-reviewed sources
• Mentor and otherwise guide graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and less experienced scientists

Basic Requirements:

• PhD, MD, or equivalent terminal degree
• Three to five years' research experience (including two or more years of post-doctoral training)
• Ability to make significant contributions to scientific research and scholarship on nutrition and/or aging (demonstrated via 15-20 peer-reviewed publications) and strong potential to direct an independent research program
• Ability to work collaboratively with other investigators in a "team science" approach to research
• Past participation in the mentoring and training of graduate students and younger scientists

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to secure peer-reviewed extramural grant funding