Research Assistant - Diet Technician, Metabolic Research Kitchen

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 23,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Utah is seeking a Research Assistant – Diet Technician for the Metabolic Research Kitchen at the Campus location. The role centers on daily meal prep, dietary production, and adherence to study protocols.

Opportunities include inventory control and strict food safety practices to support clinical and metabolic research studies. The position is part-time with a pay rate ranging from $17 to $25 per hour, depending on experience, and requires a Dietetic Technician, Registered

Qualifications

• Must have Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) credential.
• Current Food Handler Permit required.
• Equivalency statement allows 1 year of study for 1 year of related work.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and produce research meals and dietary interventions daily.
• Procure food and kitchen supplies and maintain inventory.
• Keep kitchen clean, sanitized, and organized per procedures.
• Coordinate meal distribution, labeling, and storage and document production.

Skills

Food preparation

Dietary procedures

Record keeping

Education

Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) credential

Current Food Handler Permit

Tools

Kitchen equipment

Inventory management

Portioning tools

Job description

Research Assistant – Diet Technician, Metabolic ResearchKitchen

Job Summary

Performs research support and dietary production activities insupport of clinical and metabolic research studies conductedthrough the Metabolic Research Kitchen. Serves as the primaryindividual responsible for the day-to-day preparation andproduction of research meals and dietary interventions according tostudy protocols, standardized recipes, individualized dietaryrequirements, and established food safety procedures. Performs foodpreparation, cooking, weighing, measuring, portioning, packaging,labeling, and storage of research meals and maintains accuraterecords of meal production.

Responsible for procurement of food and kitchen supplies asdirected, including identifying needed ingredients and supplies,maintaining inventory levels, placing or coordinating orders,receiving deliveries, and properly storing food and supplies. Responsible for maintaining the cleanliness, organization, andsanitation of the Metabolic Research Kitchen, including routinecleaning and sanitation of kitchen equipment, work surfaces,utensils, storage areas, and other areas of the kitchen. Ensuresproper food handling, storage, temperature monitoring, andsanitation practices are consistently followed.

Supports controlled feeding and metabolic research studies bypreparing participant meals according to study-specific dietaryrequirements and production schedules. Accurately portions andpackages meals, verifies labels and dietary specifications,maintains required study and production documentation, andcoordinates meal distribution, storage, and collection asapplicable. Communicates with research staff regarding mealproduction needs, study schedules, dietary requirements, and supplyneeds. May assist with data entry, creation and organization ofstudy materials, and other research support activities.

The candidate must have and maintain a Dietetic Technician,Registered (DTR) credential and a Current Food Handler Permitduring employment.

Responsibilities

Performs research support and dietary production activities insupport of clinical and metabolic research studies conductedthrough the Metabolic Research Kitchen. Serves as the primaryindividual responsible for the day-to-day preparation andproduction of research meals and dietary interventions according tostudy protocols, standardized recipes, individualized dietaryrequirements, and established food safety procedures. Performs foodpreparation, cooking, weighing, measuring, portioning, packaging,labeling, and storage of research meals and maintains accuraterecords of meal production.

Responsible for procurement of food and kitchen supplies asdirected, including identifying needed ingredients and supplies,maintaining inventory levels, placing or coordinating orders,receiving deliveries, and properly storing food and supplies. Responsible for maintaining the cleanliness, organization, andsanitation of the Metabolic Research Kitchen, including routinecleaning and sanitation of kitchen equipment, work surfaces,utensils, storage areas, and other areas of the kitchen. Ensuresproper food handling, storage, temperature monitoring, andsanitation practices are consistently followed.

Supports controlled feeding and metabolic research studies bypreparing participant meals according to study-specific dietaryrequirements and production schedules. Accurately portions andpackages meals, verifies labels and dietary specifications,maintains required study and production documentation, andcoordinates meal distribution, storage, and collection asapplicable. Communicates with research staff regarding mealproduction needs, study schedules, dietary requirements, and supplyneeds. May assist with data entry, creation and organization ofstudy materials, and other research support activities.

The candidate must have and maintain a Dietetic Technician,Registered (DTR) credential and a Current Food Handler Permitduring employment.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher educationcan be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience(Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related workexperience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following joblevels:

• Research Assistant, I: Requires little to norelated experience.
• Research Assistant, II : Requires at least 1 yearof related experience.
• Research Assistant, III: Requires 3+ years ofrelated experience.

Preferences

• Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) credential.
• Current Food Handler Permit.

Requisition Number: PRN17391N

Full Time or Part Time? Part Time

Work Schedule Summary:

Department: 00200 - Nutrition & Integrative Physio

Location: Campus

Pay Rate Range: $17-$25 depending on experience

Close Date: 10/21/2026

Open Until Filled: