Lecturer – Health Sciences - Nutrition and Dietetics

The Opportunity

The Department of Health Sciences in the College of Health Professions and Sciences (CHPS) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a 12-month, non-tenure earning, lecturer position. The position is open to doctoral level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who hold valid credentials through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). The preferred start date is as early as January 2027, but no later than August 2027.

The Department of Health Sciences is home to 19 full-time faculty and approximately 3000 undergraduate students in the major and about 500 students in the minor. We offer an undergraduate degree in Health Sciences with two tracks – Pre-Clinical and Health Promotion and a Master of Science degree in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science. Development of a Master of Science in Nutrition Science and Dietetics is a future goal pending university approval. The Department of Health Sciences is recognized for its high-quality educational offerings and growing research impact. For more information about the Department of Health Sciences, visit our website at: UCF Department of Health Sciences - College of Health Professions and Sciences.

We are seeking a dynamic and collaborative faculty member to support the development, implementation and ongoing operation of a newly approved Master of Science in Nutrition Science and Dietetics, with the goal of achieving ACEND candidacy as a Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program (CP). This position plays a pivotal role as a coordinator working in tandem with the program director in shaping an innovative, competency-based graduate program designed to prepare future Registered Dietitian Nutritionists through integrated coursework and supervised experiential learning.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Develop graduate level courses and learning activities aligned with the competencies and performance indicators outlined in the 2027 ACEND Accreditation Standards for Nutrition and Dietetics CP.

• Teach graduate courses that require instruction in specific advanced content areas, including nutrition assessment, medical nutrition therapy, nutrition and metabolism, or food science and food service management using evidence‑based, student‑centered teaching approaches.

• Teach undergraduate courses in nutrition and related areas.

• Serve as a program coordinator assisting the program director with program development, including curriculum/course development, site development for supervised experiential learning (SEL), student placement coordination, assessment of student competence, program compliance, reporting, and continuous quality improvement.

• Foster and maintain partnerships with healthcare systems, community organizations, food and nutrition service providers, preceptors and other stakeholders to support high-quality supervised experiential learning opportunities.

• Supervise and evaluate graduate students during supervised experiential learning across diverse practice settings.

• Contribute to program accreditation activities, including documentation, data collection, assessment, management, and preparation of materials for ACEND review.

• Contribute to student recruitment, advising, mentoring, and retention efforts.

• Pursue ongoing professional development to maintain currency in nutrition and dietetics practice, education, and competency-based learning models.

• Contribute to a collaborative, student focused academic environment.

• Engage in scholarly activities, service, and professional development.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (i.e., PhD, DCN, DrPH) in Nutrition, Dietetics, or a closely related field by the start of the appointment.

• Credentialed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in dietetics practice and/or education.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong practice-based experience providing inpatient hospital-based clinical care and/or food service management.

• Familiarity with ACEND accreditation standards and processes, particularly those relevant to the 2027 ACEND Accreditation Standards for Nutrition and Dietetics CP.

• Strong record of at least one of the following: teaching, mentorship, scholarship, or leadership.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, candidates will be required to upload:

• Cover letter addressing qualifications and how these will contribute to the successful launch and evolution of the Nutrition Science and Dietetics CP

• Curriculum vitae

• Teaching philosophy

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Only applications that contain all required materials will be considered. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

The selected candidate will be required to submit a list of references and official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Dr. Cheryl Cavaliere, at [email protected].

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

On March 10, 2026, UCF received clarification that the current State moratorium on H‑1B visas applies not only to new sponsorships but also to H‑1B transfers into the institution. This means we are unable to process transfers for individuals currently holding H‑1B status with other employers. UCF will share updates as soon as State guidance changes or additional details become available. 

This is a face-to-face on campus faculty position. Instruction will be delivered primarily in person at the main Orlando campus.

Job Close Date:

Open until filled.

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position. Only candidates that submit all required materials will be considered for the position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 12 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program. 

• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.

• Retirement savings options. 

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions. 

• Education assistance.

• Flexible work environment. 

• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

College of Health Professions and Sciences (CHPS) -Department of Health Sciences

Work Schedule

Varies

Type of Appointment

Regular

Expected Salary

Negotiable

The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.  

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. 

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email [email protected].

For general application or posting questions, please email [email protected].