Research Dietitian Jobs in District of Columbia
Research Dietitian jobs in District of Columbia concentrate heavily in federal health agencies, academic medical centers, and nonprofit research institutions, making D.C. one of the most distinctive markets in the country for evidence-based nutrition science. Most hiring is centered in Washington D.C. proper, with additional activity in nearby Bethesda and Silver Spring, where institutions like the National Institutes of Health, MedStar Health, and George Washington University Hospital maintain long-standing research dietitian roles. Clinical nutrition research, community health intervention studies, and federal nutrition policy work are the most in-demand specialties across D.C. employers. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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About the Team:
The Sensors Division at STR focuses on technology development for advanced sensor systems to add national security capabilities, particularly in the areas of airborne/surface-based radar, electronic warfare, underwater acoustics, hyperspectral imaging, and EO/IR sensing. Within these areas, we perform work on emerging concepts & technologies, component & system development and prototyping, and experimental campaigns.
The Optical & Novel Sensing (ONS) Group within the Sensors Division pursues physics-driven research across multiple domains to provide warfighter and intelligence mission performance unachievable with traditional sensors. Our main customer focus is on Department of War and Intelligence Community research and development programs, with work spanning concept formulation through validation prototyping.
The Role:
As a Senior Algorithm & Signal Processing Researcher, you will develop and apply state-of-the-art algorithms and techniques for HF communications that include signal detection, channel equalization, and geolocation. You'll have opportunities to engage directly with our customers to communicate technical analyses for their most critical challenges. You'll work with a team of researchers in creating innovative system capability and collaborate with the engineering team to develop and demonstrate and optimize system capabilities.
A successful candidate will have demonstrated strong analysis skills and expertise in several of the following areas: adaptive signal processing, equalization, High Frequency (HF) radio propagation, ionospheric physics, machine learning, algorithm development, algorithm integration, test & evaluation, model & simulation, systems engineering, or communications systems. They will apply first principles of physics to model and simulate realistic environments to support system performance modeling at HF radio frequencies to develop realistic simulations of complex propagation environments. This position requires skills contributing to a multi-disciplinary team designing, analyzing, integrating, and demonstrating signal processing algorithms for complex systems.
What you will Do:
- Work closely with program leadership to spearhead efforts that align with program and company priorities
- Apply cutting-edge signal processing techniques to solve complex HF propagation challenges for critical national security missions
- Collaborate with diverse teams, learning from the different perspectives to develop and deploy prototype systems that demonstrate our ability to extend the boundaries of what's possible
- Document and present products to a community of scientists and subject matter experts
Who You Are:
- Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by U.S. Government.
- PhD, MS, or BS in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or related technical discipline
- 3+ years of experience on RF programs, including the development of advanced signal- and data-processing algorithms from mathematical/analytical derivation through testing and verification of system performance
- Experience in two or more of the following areas: RF signal processing, HF propagation (or propagation in dispersive, heterogeneous media), adaptive signal processing, algorithm development, system model & simulation, and geolocation
- Excellent communicator with ability to develop and tailor technical briefs to influence a range of technical and non-technical audiences
- Proficiency in one or more scientific or mathematical programming languages, such as MATLAB, Python, and C/C++
- Strong mathematical, troubleshooting, written, and verbal communication skills
Even Better:
- Active Top Secret Clearance
- Demonstrated ownership of complex research, development, and engineering efforts
- Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical discipline
- Experience with HF propagation modes and an understanding of the underlying physics, end-to-end signal processing chain
- Ability to apply novel, innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to challenging engineering problems
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $139,000 - $170,000
The salary range listed is based on external market data. Offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate's experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions.
STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, and Carlsbad, CA. We specialize in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security in: cyber; next generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, and electronic warfare; and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics to make sense of the complexity that is exploding around us.
STR is committed to creating a collaborative learning environment that supports deep technical understanding and recognizes the contributions and achievements of all team members. Our work is challenging, and we go home at night knowing that we pushed the envelope of technology and made the world safer.
STR is not just any company. Our people, culture, and attitude along with their unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives put us on a trajectory to change the world. We can't do it alone, though - we need fellow trailblazers. If you are one, join our team and help to keep our society safe! Visit us at www.str.us for more info.
STR is an equal opportunity employer. We are fully dedicated to hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the employment process, email us at appassist@str.us and provide your contact info.
Pursuant to applicable federal law and regulations, positions at STR require employees to obtain national security clearances and satisfy the requirements for compliance with export control and other applicable laws.
See All 22 Research Dietitian Jobs in District of Columbia
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Find Research Dietitian JobsResearch Dietitian Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Dietitian Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Consulting & Professional Services
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research dietitian jobs across District of Columbia.
- Active District of Columbia dietitian licensure or eligibility from the D.C. Board of Dietetics
- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration
- Master's degree or higher in nutrition science, public health nutrition, or related field
- Experience designing or executing controlled dietary intervention or clinical research studies
- Proficiency with research software such as SAS, SPSS, or REDCap for data collection and analysis
- Strong scientific writing skills for grant applications, manuscripts, and federal research reports
Research Dietitian Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research dietitian in District of Columbia?
To work as a research dietitian in D.C., you must hold an active dietitian license issued by the District of Columbia Board of Dietetics and Nutrition. Licensure requires completing an accredited didactic program, a supervised dietetic internship, and passing the Commission on Dietetic Registration examination. Most research-focused positions in D.C. also expect a master's degree or doctoral training, particularly for roles within federal agencies or academic research centers.
Which companies hire research dietitians in District of Columbia?
Employers hiring research dietitians in District of Columbia right now include MedStar Health, STR, and Egon Zehnder, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. D.C.'s concentration of federal health agencies and academic medical institutions means many of the most consistent openings sit within government-affiliated research programs and university hospital systems.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most research dietitian jobs?
The cities with the most research dietitian openings in District of Columbia are Washington. Washington D.C. dominates because of its dense cluster of federal health agencies, teaching hospitals, and nonprofit research organizations, while Bethesda draws significant volume from the National Institutes of Health campus and nearby academic medical centers that conduct ongoing nutrition and clinical trials.
Are there remote research dietitian jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, though they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since many research dietitian roles involve direct participant contact, lab work, or on-site data collection. About 44% of research dietitian openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and the positions most likely to offer flexibility are those focused on data analysis, grant writing, or federal nutrition policy work rather than clinical intervention studies.
How can I get hired as a research dietitian in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for research coordinator or diet technician positions within D.C.'s federal health institutions, particularly NIH-affiliated programs and MedStar Health, which periodically recruit new graduates into structured research support roles. Completing your dietetic internship at a D.C.-area teaching hospital builds direct local connections. Holding your Registered Dietitian credential and any data or research methods coursework gives early-career candidates a measurable edge over applicants without those qualifications.
Where can I find and apply to research dietitian jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to research dietitian jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across D.C. employers including federal agencies, academic medical centers, and research nonprofits. Search the listings to find roles that match your credentials and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 22 Research Dietitian Jobs in District of Columbia
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