The Prevention Research Center (PRC) at the University of New Mexico is looking for a highly motivated and creative Associate Scientist 1 to work with a multidisciplinary research team in the development, implementation and evaluation of social marketing campaigns for health promotion and disease prevention. Eat Smart to Play Hard (ESPH) is one of those social marketing campaigns funded by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program- Education (SNAP-Ed). ESPH works with children 8 – 11 years old and their families to support them in their healthy lives. The main goal is to make it convenient and fun for the children to eat more fruits and vegetables as a way to get to their goal of playing hard. Other social marketing initiatives developed at the Center are with teens and older adults.

The successful candidate will:

• Collaborate with the social marketing team in the planning, development, and implementation of new and existing social marketing initiatives at the PRC.
• Design and independently execute the new research and program concepts, protocols, and procedures to reduce obesity and chronic related diseases, applying diversified knowledge of public health, nutrition, social marketing and relevant scientific principles, practices, and methods.
• Analyze, evaluate, and interpret research data, such as process evaluation and focus groups, and prepare summations for review by investigators and other team members.
• Contribute to the development of summary reports, presentations, and manuscripts associated with our research findings.
• Provide professional guidance, leadership, and instruction to new staff and students engaged in social marketing efforts.
• Work closely with parent champions and volunteers in the communities implementing our programs like Eat Smart to Play Hard (ESPH) and I Choose H2O.
• Ensure proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies; promote continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices. 
• Ensure purchasing for program maintenance, operation, and troubleshooting of the program's equipment, materials, and promotion.

See the Position Description for additional information.

• For individual positions in which driving is a job requirement, a valid NM driver's license and valid UNM driver's permit will be required.
• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.

Bachelor's degree; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• Experience with community-engaged research.
• Experience working with rural communities in New Mexico.
• Experience with nutrition education.
• Firm understanding of research methods, protocols, procedures and techniques in social marketing.
• Background in public health.
• Written and oral strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals in diverse communities.

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.