Research Associate - Food is Medicine

Research  Associate, Food is Medicine

Organization Summary  

The Center for Nutrition & Health Impact (CNHI) is a nonprofit research institute providing expertise in measurement and evaluation to help develop, enhance and expand programs focused on healthy eating and active living, improving food security and healthy food access, and promoting local food systems. With expertise in public health nutrition, CNHI is dedicated to building measurement strategies to assess the impact of innovative health-related programs. We work nationally and internationally, partnering with other nonprofits, academia, government and private foundations to conduct research, evaluation and scientific strategic planning. For more information about CNHI, please visit www.centerfornutrition.org. 

Job Summary 

The Research Associate supports the implementation of research and evaluation projects by conducting literature reviews, developing measurement tools, collecting and analyzing data, and supporting the development of project deliverables. This role focuses primarily on Produce Prescription Projects (PPR), with responsibilities split between quantitative analysis (approximately 50%) and broader research and evaluation support (50%). This role focuses on quantitative data management related to produce prescription project evaluation. Some of the topics this work will cover include evaluation of participant outcomes including changes in health and healthcare utilization using various data sources including electronic health records data, and participant/site-level data, along with tasks related to maintenance and revision of core PPR metrics. The remaining time supports broader research and data-related tasks within the GusNIP team.  Experience with data management and analyses using R / R Studio is highly desirable for this position. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities 

• Support the implementation of research and evaluation projects. 
• Provide data management and analysis support related to Food Is Medicine datasets.
• Conduct and document literature reviewsbyidentifyingrelevant sources, summarizing key findings, and documenting insights to inform research design and decision-making.
• Support the development of valid and reliable measurement tools including assessments, surveys, and interview guides. 
• Support the development and submission of IRB applications.
• Prepare quantitative measurement tools for distribution by formatting paper forms or building electronic surveys. 
• Collect qualitative and quantitative data by conducting interviews/observations and administering surveys/assessments based on project needs. 
• Develop codebooks to ensure accurate data entry/management and storage. 
• Enter quantitative data into spreadsheets ensuring the appropriate data structure and security.
• Use R or another statistical tool to prepare data for analysis by cleaning, coding, and merging datawhile documenting all steps.
• Use R, NVivo, or other statistical tools to conduct quantitative (descriptives, ANOVA, regression, multivariable) and qualitative data analysis (coding, theming).
• Support the development of deliverables, presentations, and manuscripts byparticipatingin planning sessions,writingreport sections, presenting deliverables, and supporting manuscript development.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, or biostatistics or strong quantitative skills with 5 years of relevant experience.
• One year of experience conducting research and evaluation studies in an academic or applied setting.
• Experience developing valid and reliable measurement tools such as interview guides, surveys, or assessments.
• Proficient in quantitative and qualitative research methods and data analysis. 
• Proficient in data collection and data management/analysis tools such as SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Stata, R, SAS, and/or Nvivo.
• High level of attention to detail and ability to problem solve.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom). 

Work Requirements 

• Maintain a productive, comfortable, and distraction free remote work environment.
• Comply withthe CNHI work schedule.
• Follow care and security standards for CNHI-issued equipment.
• Supply your own Internet connection, allowing for seamless communication for video conferencing. 

Physical Requirements 
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Listed below are the physical requirements required while performing the duties of this job. 

• The employee is regularly required to: stand; sit; talk; hear; use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard; and reach, stoop and/or kneel to install computer equipment for periods of time throughout the day.
• The employee must have the specific vision ability to complete close vision requirements due to computer work.
• The employee is required to be able to complete light to moderate lifting.

Salary $61,000-$70,000 (Level 2 or Level 3). Commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package provided.     

Job Type This is a full-time, remote position.   

Travel This position may include travel for client visits, conference attendance, other promotional or networking activities, and the annual all-staff retreat.  

How to Apply To apply, please apply through the CNHI career page (https://www.centerfornutrition.org/careers), include a statement of interest and resume/CV. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please mention any foreign language skills in your materials.  

 The Center for Nutrition & Health Impact is an equal opportunity employer.