*No Application Deadline
Graduate Research Assistant: Reviving a Cultural Superfood: Co-Designing Millet-Based Interventions to Address the Triple Burden of Malnutrition Among Adolescents in India Study
This study, funded by the Interdisciplinary Center for Nutrition Science and Medicine, is a collaboration between the Indian Institute of Science and the Friedman School of Nutrition to develop a behavioral intervention promoting millet consumption among adolescents in Karnataka, India, where undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiency co-occur as a “triple burden” of malnutrition. The study follows the ORBIT model for behavioral treatment development and is grounded in Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). Phase Ia uses literature reviews and qualitative interviews with adolescents and stakeholders to define the intervention. Phase Ib pilots the intervention as an eight-week series of hands-on workshops with 30–50 adolescents.
Responsibilities:
- Assist with two literature reviews: one on factors shaping millet consumption at individual, social, and environmental levels, and one on effective dietary intervention strategies for Indian adolescents. Work with the project scientists in India to refine the literature review, screen publications, and conduct data extraction.
- Assist with interviews with adolescents and stakeholders (parents, teachers, school health program managers, anganwadi workers, policymakers, millet researchers, and NGO representatives). This will mainly include coding and analysis.
- Work with the team to map synthesized data onto Social Cognitive Theory constructs and help translate the Phase Ia evidence into actionable recommendations for intervention design.
- Help support the stakeholder panel process and post-pilot intervention refinement.
- Contribute to project reports, policy briefs, and manuscripts, with authorship consistent with contribution.
Required qualifications:
- Current enrollment in a graduate degree program at Tufts University (MS, MPH, or PhD) in nutrition science and policy, public health, or a closely related field
- Coursework or practical experience in qualitative research methods
- Demonstrated ability to conduct literature searches and synthesize evidence across research and grey literature
- Strong writing skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work independently, manage time across a variable weekly schedule, and meet deadlines within a multi-site project
- Willingness to accommodate occasional early-morning meetings to align with Indian Standard Time
- Completion of CITI human subjects research training prior to starting study activities (or willingness to complete promptly)
Preferred qualifications:
- Familiarity with Social Cognitive Theory, behavior change intervention design, or the ORBIT model
- Experience with NVivo qualitative analysis software
- Prior experience with global health research, community-based participatory or co-design approaches, or work in low- and middle-income country settings
- Interest in adolescent nutrition, food systems, or agri-nutrition linkages
- Proficiency in Kannada or Hindi is an asset but is not required
What you will gain:
Direct mentorship from the PI on qualitative methods and intervention development, experience on an international research collaboration, and opportunities for co-authorship on peer-reviewed publications.
Commitment: Approximately 5-10 hours per week. Flexible schedule, to be determined by the supervisor in conjunction with the GRA.
Pay rate: $22-$25/hour, commensurate with experience
Application materials:
- Cover letter describing interest in research, previous achievements, and why the candidate is suitable for this position
- Resume or CV
Application due date: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Contact: Please submit the above application materials to PI Sara C. Folta, PhD, sara.folta@tufts.edu.
