Assistant Lecturer (Human Nutrition & Dietetics) at University of Agriculture, Science and Technology (UAST), Ihugh

JOB PURPOSE

• The Assistant Lecturer in HNDt is a nutrition scientist-educator in formation, trained to integrate clinical nutrition, public health nutrition, food systems, sustainability and evidence-based counselling, while developing rigorous academic and research competence tailored to Africa’s nutrition realities.
• The purpose of the job is to support undergraduate teaching, laboratories/skills sessions, fieldwork and community engagement in Human Nutrition & Dietetics; participate in research and quality-assurance activities; and pursue advanced academic development towards independent lecturing responsibilities.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Teaching & Practical Support:

• Assist in delivering foundational HNDt courses (theory, practicals, case studies, skills labs).
• Support diet assessment methods, food composition analysis, nutrition education and counselling simulations.
• Assist in continuous assessment, examinations and results processing.

Fieldwork, Community & Clinical Support:

• Support community nutrition surveys, growth monitoring, nutrition education and supervised clinical postings (where applicable).
• Assist with documentation, ethics and referral protocols.

Research & Capacity Development:

• Participate in departmental research (nutritional epidemiology, food composition, diet-disease relationships, intervention studies).
• Enrol in and make satisfactory progress toward a PhD in Nutrition/Dietetics or a Senate-approved cognate.

Academic Service & Ethics:

• Assist in departmental administration, accreditation readiness and QA.
• Uphold ethics, evidence-based practice and professional conduct.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Human Nutrition, Dietetics, Clinical Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition, Food & Nutrition or a Senate-approved cognate with substantial nutrition content.
• Evidence of commitment to pursue a PhD in a nutrition-relevant field.

Academic Qualifications (Mandatory)

• Master’s degree in Human Nutrition, Dietetics, Clinical Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition, Food & Nutrition or a Senate-approved cognate with substantial nutrition content.
• Evidence of commitment to pursue a PhD in a nutrition-relevant field.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT

• 3 years relevant experience (academic, clinical/community nutrition, NGO, research).
• Evidence of research exposure is desirable.
• Student/Associate membership of recognised nutrition/dietetics bodies encouraged (e.g., DRBN-recognised associations).

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Foundational nutrition science; dietary assessment; communication; data literacy; teamwork; digital tools for teaching.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Commitment to evidence-based, ethical nutrition practice.
• Sensitivity to cultural food practices and community contexts.
• Willingness to learn and serve in resource-constrained settings.
• Collaborative mindset across health and food systems.
• Alignment with UAST values of Excellence, Relevance and Legacy.