Teachers College - Jobs - Job Details - Research Associate I

Posting Summary:

About the Tisch Food Center:
The Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy, Teachers College, Columbia University (“Tisch Food Center”) conducts research on food and nutrition education practice and policy. We translate our research into resources for educators, policy makers, and advocates to give people power to demand healthy, just, sustainable food. The Tisch Food Center focuses on schools as critical levers for learning and social change.

Job Summary/Basic Function:

Under the general direction of the Tisch Food Center Executive Director, the Research Associate is a full-time position that has responsibility for implementing a variety of research and resource development projects that support the mission of the Food Ed Hub “Hub” Programming & other special projects to ensure that all NYC students have quality food and nutrition education and sustainably-produced, culturally-responsive, healthy school food. The Research Associate is a key member of the Tisch Food Center team, working with internal and external coalition partners to develop and implement projects and shared goals.
This is a grant-funded position through June 30, 2025. There is a possibility, but no guarantee, of extension.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

You will be engaged in a variety of activities that support the operations to advance food and nutrition education through assorted projects at the Tisch Food Center, including:

Food Ed Hub 

• Managing a study analyzing characteristics of food and nutrition programs in NYC public schools, including program recruitment and follow-up, producing a detailed report, manuscript prep, and dissemination of results.
• Collaborating on evidence-based updates with Tisch Food Center and education organizations.
• Collaboratively promoting Coalition partner activities to raise awareness of food and nutrition education.
• Participating and helping facilitate Food Ed Coalition meetings, supplemental workshops & events, and related tasks.
• Developing and maintaining nutrition education resources for educators and the public

Other Projects 

• Assisting with two other studies including 1.) a process evaluation of the New York Public Schools’ Office of Food Nutrition Services (OFNS) partnership with Wellness in the Schools (WITS), Chefs in the Schools - designed to increase students’ access to plant-based, scratch-cooked, culturally inclusive meals; and 2.) an examination of the external factors influencing school meal participation including media influence & exposure, and access to convenience foods.
• Assisting in research plan design, coding, analysis, manuscript prep, and dissemination for studies.
• Recruiting subjects and enrolling participants/organizations into other studies at the center
• Managing logistics and communication for research study visits.
• Conducting observations and data collection from enrolled participants/organizations.
• Handling confidential data with professionalism and integrity.
• Ensuring accurate data entry and database maintenance.
  General Tasks
• Develop and maintain project timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure efficient project execution.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including researchers, educators, and data analysts, to design and implement research protocols.
• Crafting long and short social media posts and other correspondence.
• Providing updates, feedback and guidance on center operations.
• Assisting with the training and supervision of junior staff, including masters-level dietetic students.
• Foster a collaborative and productive research environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in food, nutrition, or public health; education policy; public administration; government relations; or a related field.
• Minimum 3-5 years of related experience in food and nutrition education programming and/or research.
• Demonstrated ability to engage in collaborative efforts with diverse individuals and communities, including youth outreach and engagement.
• Commitment to building racial and social justice through leadership development and community engagement.
• Able to work both independently and as a team player.
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills with high attention to detail.
• The ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• The ability to critically assess challenges and identify effective solutions.
• The ability to work independently and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously
• Strong interpersonal skills and communications skills including: oral, presentation, written, social media.
• A high level of self-motivation, self-direction and intellectual curiosity
• Some travel within the city required. Car not required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of school meal programs, nutrition education, and educational environments is highly desirable.
• RDN credential
• Excel proficiency
• Stata or SPSS proficiency
• Spanish fluency (oral)
• Grant writing and fundraising experience is a plus.
  
  

Salary Range:

$66,400 - $75,000

Work Modality:

Hybrid