Research Dietitian Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Research Dietitians qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupation professionals requiring specialized nutrition science knowledge. Universities, research institutions, and healthcare systems regularly sponsor these roles. Your master's degree in dietetics, nutrition science, or related field typically satisfies the specialty occupation requirement for visa approval. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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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 Metabolic Research Unit (MRU) is an HNRCA scientific core that supports and facilitates the clinical aspects of data and biological sample collection from volunteer human subjects. MRU staff provide nursing, dietary, participant engagement, and study management services. The Dietary Assessment Unit (DAU) provides expertise and services in dietary data collection methods, coding, data cleaning and management, and dietary data analysis, as well as assistance in the development of dietary intervention sections of new protocols, advice on dietary data collection methodologies, production of manuals of procedures and other nutrition-related materials, and development of new methodologies to improve the collection of dietary data.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
This is a grant funded position and is not eligible for severance pay.
The Research Dietitian will work with principal investigators to develop and implement research-driven feeding protocols, will translate those protocols into standardized operating procedures that ensure high-quality food service by the HNRCA metabolic kitchen, and will work with dietary technicians and other MRU/DAU staff on menu development and the delivery of research diets related to human nutrition studies. S/he will also lead and/or participate in dietary screening of study participants for various research protocols; administering protocol-specific instructions/dietary guidance to active study participants; developing and implementing research diets; managing dietary data collected by MRU; training and instructing diet technicians, dietetic interns, and other dietary staff. S/he will also lead and/or participate in the administration and review of dietary assessment tools for multiple protocols, including food records, 24-hour recalls, and food frequency questionnaires. The Research Dietitian will also assist with data entry/coding and quality control checks of dietary data collected by the MRU/DAU. In addition, s/he will assist the DAU/MRU Manager in the following: DAU-related literature searches; development and validation of new dietary assessment tools as required with new protocols; and recruitment, hiring, on-boarding, and training of permanent and temporary MRU and DAU staff.
Collaborate with principal investigators on the development of feeding protocols dictated by research objectives; develop budgets for dietary aspects of clinical studies; develop, implement, and adjust menus and recipes according to study requirements and study participants’ needs; create standardized operating procedures for the production of study meals and products; oversee production, service, and related data collection for all research diets.
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Train, educate, and manage staff and students on activities related to dietary services, including kitchen operations, recipe and menu preparation, implementation of research diets, adherence to protocol requirements, and customer service; oversee training and certification requirements, such as ServSafe, CITI, and Good Clinical Practice training; serve as dietetic intern preceptor as needed.
-
Lead and/or participate in dietary screening of potential study participants for protocol-specific considerations, including food allergies, food preferences, and certain inclusion/exclusion criteria related to diet or behavioral interventions; educate/counsel research participants on dietary regimens according to protocol; monitor adherence to study protocols and document diet intervention; respond to research participant inquiries or concerns; evaluate and determine appropriate courses of action to address concerns.
-
Lead and/or participate in the administration, collection, and review of diet assessment tools/data such as food records, 24-hour recalls and food frequency questionnaires, in accordance with scientific protocols. Lead and/or participate in data entry/coding, processing, and quality control of collected dietary data.
-
Support DAU/MRU manager with management of staff and calendar to make sure all protocol-specific needs are covered; work closely with study coordinators and other MRU staff to keep up to date on new and altered schedules.
-
Assist in dietary literature searches, the development of new dietary assessment tools, and the recommendation and adoption of new technologies.
-
Respond to occasional dietary questions by phone or email during non-working hours when required by study protocol.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
- Master's Degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or equivalent
- One to two years of experience in a research setting
- Microsoft Office, Medline/PubMed, familiarity with nutrition assessment databases
- Strong verbal communication skills; interacts well with others
- Ability to obtain ServSafe and Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training to work with human subjects within one month of start date
- Registered Dietitian (RD)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with Nutrition Data Systems for Research (NDSR) or similar food analysis program and familiarity with U.S. food items and food patterns
- Two or more years of research experience
- Massachusetts License for Dietitians/Nutritionists (LDN)
SPECIAL WORK SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS:
- This position may occasionally require work on evenings and/or weekends as determined by study need.
SALARY RANGE:
Minimum $67,200.00, Midpoint $83,900.00, Maximum $100,700.00
Overview:
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 Metabolic Research Unit (MRU) is an HNRCA scientific core that supports and facilitates the clinical aspects of data and biological sample collection from volunteer human subjects. MRU staff provide nursing, dietary, participant engagement, and study management services. The Dietary Assessment Unit (DAU) provides expertise and services in dietary data collection methods, coding, data cleaning and management, and dietary data analysis, as well as assistance in the development of dietary intervention sections of new protocols, advice on dietary data collection methodologies, production of manuals of procedures and other nutrition-related materials, and development of new methodologies to improve the collection of dietary data.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
This is a grant funded position and is not eligible for severance pay.
The Research Dietitian will work with principal investigators to develop and implement research-driven feeding protocols, will translate those protocols into standardized operating procedures that ensure high-quality food service by the HNRCA metabolic kitchen, and will work with dietary technicians and other MRU/DAU staff on menu development and the delivery of research diets related to human nutrition studies. S/he will also lead and/or participate in dietary screening of study participants for various research protocols; administering protocol-specific instructions/dietary guidance to active study participants; developing and implementing research diets; managing dietary data collected by MRU; training and instructing diet technicians, dietetic interns, and other dietary staff. S/he will also lead and/or participate in the administration and review of dietary assessment tools for multiple protocols, including food records, 24-hour recalls, and food frequency questionnaires. The Research Dietitian will also assist with data entry/coding and quality control checks of dietary data collected by the MRU/DAU. In addition, s/he will assist the DAU/MRU Manager in the following: DAU-related literature searches; development and validation of new dietary assessment tools as required with new protocols; and recruitment, hiring, on-boarding, and training of permanent and temporary MRU and DAU staff.
Collaborate with principal investigators on the development of feeding protocols dictated by research objectives; develop budgets for dietary aspects of clinical studies; develop, implement, and adjust menus and recipes according to study requirements and study participants’ needs; create standardized operating procedures for the production of study meals and products; oversee production, service, and related data collection for all research diets.
-
Train, educate, and manage staff and students on activities related to dietary services, including kitchen operations, recipe and menu preparation, implementation of research diets, adherence to protocol requirements, and customer service; oversee training and certification requirements, such as ServSafe, CITI, and Good Clinical Practice training; serve as dietetic intern preceptor as needed.
-
Lead and/or participate in dietary screening of potential study participants for protocol-specific considerations, including food allergies, food preferences, and certain inclusion/exclusion criteria related to diet or behavioral interventions; educate/counsel research participants on dietary regimens according to protocol; monitor adherence to study protocols and document diet intervention; respond to research participant inquiries or concerns; evaluate and determine appropriate courses of action to address concerns.
-
Lead and/or participate in the administration, collection, and review of diet assessment tools/data such as food records, 24-hour recalls and food frequency questionnaires, in accordance with scientific protocols. Lead and/or participate in data entry/coding, processing, and quality control of collected dietary data.
-
Support DAU/MRU manager with management of staff and calendar to make sure all protocol-specific needs are covered; work closely with study coordinators and other MRU staff to keep up to date on new and altered schedules.
-
Assist in dietary literature searches, the development of new dietary assessment tools, and the recommendation and adoption of new technologies.
-
Respond to occasional dietary questions by phone or email during non-working hours when required by study protocol.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
- Master's Degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or equivalent
- One to two years of experience in a research setting
- Microsoft Office, Medline/PubMed, familiarity with nutrition assessment databases
- Strong verbal communication skills; interacts well with others
- Ability to obtain ServSafe and Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training to work with human subjects within one month of start date
- Registered Dietitian (RD)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with Nutrition Data Systems for Research (NDSR) or similar food analysis program and familiarity with U.S. food items and food patterns
- Two or more years of research experience
- Massachusetts License for Dietitians/Nutritionists (LDN)
SPECIAL WORK SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS:
- This position may occasionally require work on evenings and/or weekends as determined by study need.
SALARY RANGE:
Minimum $67,200.00, Midpoint $83,900.00, Maximum $100,700.00
See all 884+ Research Dietitian Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Research Dietitian Jobs
Target research-focused employers
Universities, medical centers, and government agencies like NIH or CDC frequently sponsor Research Dietitians. These institutions understand the specialty occupation requirements and have established immigration processes for researchers.
Highlight your specialized research expertise
Emphasize clinical nutrition research, metabolic studies, or food science specializations. USCIS looks for roles requiring specific dietetic knowledge that can't be performed by general health professionals.
Document your advanced education credentials
Your master's in nutrition science, dietetics, or food science directly supports the specialty occupation argument. Include any research methodology training, biostatistics coursework, or specialized certifications like CDE.
Consider academic medical centers first
Teaching hospitals and university medical centers commonly sponsor dietitian researchers for clinical studies. They typically have stronger immigration support systems than private practice or community hospitals.
Prepare for detailed job descriptions
Immigration attorneys need comprehensive job duties showing research methodology, data analysis, and specialized nutrition knowledge. Generic clinical duties won't support the specialty occupation requirement for visa approval.
Explore government research opportunities
Federal agencies and national laboratories often sponsor foreign researchers. These positions may qualify for cap-exempt H-1B status, avoiding the lottery system entirely while conducting nutrition or food safety research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Research Dietitians qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship?
Yes, Research Dietitians typically qualify for H-1B sponsorship as specialty occupation professionals. USCIS recognizes that nutrition research requires specialized knowledge in dietetics, biochemistry, and research methodology that goes beyond general healthcare training. Your master's degree in nutrition science or dietetics usually satisfies the educational requirement.
What degree do I need for H-1B sponsorship as a Research Dietitian?
You need at least a bachelor's degree in dietetics, nutrition science, food science, or closely related field. Most Research Dietitian positions prefer a master's degree, which strengthens your H-1B case. The degree must be from an accredited institution, and foreign degrees may need credential evaluation through organizations like WES.
How to find Research Dietitian jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Research Dietitian positions with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international professionals with sponsored opportunities. Focus your search on universities, medical research centers, pharmaceutical companies, and government health agencies that commonly hire research dietitians and offer H-1B, O-1 visa, or EB-2 visas for specialized nutrition research roles.
Which employers are most likely to sponsor Research Dietitians?
Universities, academic medical centers, government agencies like NIH or USDA, and large healthcare systems are most likely to sponsor. These institutions regularly conduct nutrition research and understand immigration processes. Private research companies in food science or pharmaceuticals also sponsor, though less frequently than academic employers.
Can I get cap-exempt H-1B sponsorship as a Research Dietitian?
Yes, if you work for qualifying nonprofit research institutions, universities, or government entities. Academic medical centers affiliated with universities often qualify for cap-exempt status, letting you avoid the H-1B lottery. However, private hospitals and for-profit research companies typically require regular cap-subject H-1B petitions.
What if my dietetics degree is from outside the U.S.?
Foreign dietetics degrees are acceptable for H-1B sponsorship, but you'll need a credential evaluation from organizations like WES or ECE to verify U.S. equivalency. Some employers may require additional coursework if your degree lacks specific nutrition science components. Consider getting your credentials evaluated early in your job search process.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Research Dietitian jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.