Get Involved

Volunteer and Join the EAC Team! 

The development of Academy evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines and position papers requires the contributions of volunteers like you. Serving on an Evidence Analysis Center (EAC) project is a great way to enhance professional development, share your expertise, and contribute to the growth of the dietetics profession.

As part of the research process, the Academy recognizes that recruiting a diverse group of highly qualified volunteers is the key to success. In an effort to meet the goals outlined within the Council on Research strategic plan - including members collaborating across disciplines with international food and nutrition communities supporting work specific to diversity and inclusion - significant efforts are being made to ensure that project workgroups include members that are ethnically, culturally, geographically, and professionally diverse.

To help achieve this goal and ensure high-quality publications, practice guidelines, and position papers, consider applying for an upcoming project. The Academy's Workgroup Selection Subcommittee values the unique contributions from diverse members and encourages applications from clinicians, students, educators, administrators, and researchers at all stages of their career.

Volunteer opportunities include:

  • Expert Workgroup Panel Member: Subject experts (6-8) to serve on the systematic review panel and develop evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines. The multidisciplinary panel is a mixture of clinicians and researchers.
  • Scoping Review Content Advisor: Content advisors (2-3) must be an expert in the field, demonstrating thorough and current knowledge of the topic. 
  • Position Paper Author: Academy position paper subject experts and authors (2-4) will work closely with an Academy project manager to participate in an evidence-based review on a given topic. They must be an expert in the field, demonstrating thorough and current knowledge of the topic and have publication experience.
  • Patient Advocate: A patient or consumer advocate (1-2) is an individual who advocates support and promotes the patient's rights. 
  • Guideline Reviewer: Individuals with working knowledge of the topic conduct a review of the recommendations and complete an evaluation of evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines.  
  • Evidence Analysts: Analysts (5-8) read and abstract relevant outcomes from research articles. 
  • Lead Analyst: The lead analyst works closely with the project manager and expert panel to evaluate the available research and coordinate the development of the review and guidelines.

We are accepting applications from experts on the following topics:

  • Expert Panel Members: Energy Expenditure in Adults with Critical Illness
  • Content Advisors: none at this time 
  • Patient/Consumer Advocates: none at this time
  • Guideline Reviewers: Type 1 Diabetes (Pediatrics) 
  • Position Paper Authors: none at this time 

Expand the sections below to learn more about each position. Each section has its own online application.  Thank you!

  • Expert Panel Member


    Expert panel members are experienced in the topic area and their skills may be include knowledge of research or practical experience. An EAL expert panel includes members from all areas of the healthcare team including, but not limited to, registered dietitian nutritionists, physicians, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, or other specialties based on the project topic.

    Responsibilities 

    • Develop and prioritize research questions.
    • Develop the search criteria and approve research articles for inclusion in the systematic review.
    • Assign a grade to the conclusion statement based on the strength of the evidence.
    • Develop recommendations and narratives,
    • Share knowledge and expertise in a team setting.
    • Disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

    Qualifications 

    • Minimum 5 years of experience in practice and/or research
    • Minimum 3 years of work experience related to the topic area
    • Advanced degree (Masters, PhD, Board Certified, etc) in the topic area or 8 years of experience in lieu of an advanced degree
    • Comfortable with technology as all work is conducted in a web-based setting (online portal, webinars, teleconferences)
    • RDNs must be members of the Academy.

    Time Commitment 

    • An EAL project may take 14 months to complete; up to 28 months for a guideline project.
    • Participate in 60-90 minute teleconference calls (estimate twice a month). Calls are scheduled during regular business hours.
    • Complete between-call assignments in an agreed upon timeframe.
    • Respond to messages in a timely manner.
    • Optional: Additional 4-6 months to develop a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

    Benefits 

    • Participation in the systematic review and guideline development project is on a volunteer basis.
    • Workgroup members are acknowledged for their contributions to the EAL project site.
    • RDNs and DTRs may be eligible for continuing professional education units.
    • Manuscript writers will be listed as authors in the article.

    Candidate Selection

    Expert panel members are approved by the Academy's Council on Research Workgroup Selection Sub-Committee. The Sub-Committee uses a scoring system  to evaluate applicants. Note that applicants do not need to have both research and clinical experience in the project topic area.  Ideal candidates include:

    • Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) and  Nutrition and Dietetic Technician Registered (NDTR), [must be a member of the Academy]
    • Experts from a variety of disciplines are recognized for their research or practice experience in the topic. 

    How to Apply

    All applicants must complete the application which is designed to gather information on the applicant's experience and expertise on the topic.  

    Tips for Completing the Application:

    • You a required to enter a 200-300 statement explaining why you are interested in the project and what unique qualifications you possess that would help you contribute to the project.
    • You will be required to upload a copy of your current resume.
    • The resume should be prepared in advance. Either MS Word or PDF formats are acceptable.
    • Google Chrome is the preferred browser.
    • Allow approximately 15-20 minutes to complete the application. 

    Click to complete the online application:  

    Questions may be directed to eal@eatright.org

  • Content Advisor

    Content advisors are experts in the topic area. They will work with an EAL project manager during the evidence scoping review phase of the evidence analysis process. A content advisor must be an expert in the field, demonstrating thorough and current knowledge of the topic.

    Responsibilities

    • Review and approve search terms
    • Screen titles/abstracts
    • Approve project scope
    • Approve analytical framework
    • Maintain confidentiality
    • Work via teleconference/webinar

    Qualifications

    • Expert in the topic area
    • Minimum 8 years of practice related to the topic area
    • Advanced degree
    • Knowledge of research process, including the systematic review process

    Time Commitment

    • Estimate 2-5 months (depends on the amount of available literature)
    • Estimate 3 hours per week
    • Estimate 2 teleconference calls/webinars per month

    Application Process

    • All applicants must complete the online application.

    Tips for Completing the Application

    • Google Chrome is the preferred browser
    • You are required to upload a copy of your resume (Word or PDF format).
    • Allow approximately 10-15 minutes to complete the application

    Application

    • Click to apply: none at this time
    • Deadline to apply: 

    Questions? Email us at eal@eatright.org
     

  • Position Paper Author

    Academy position paper subject experts and authors will work closely with an Academy project manager to participate in an evidence-based review on a given topic. 

    Responsibilities

    • Work with an EAC project manager to systematically select and approve high-quality systematic reviews to support the Academy's position statement.
    • Help identify gaps in high-quality systematic reviews and lower quality systematic reviews
    • Review and approve evidence to be synthesized in the umbrella review, including quality assessment of the systematic reviews and guidelines included in the umbrella review.

    Qualifications

    • Advanced degree or minimum of 8 years of practice related to the topic
    • Critical thinking skills.
    • Publication experience in a peer-reviewed journal.
    • In-depth knowledge of topic and publication experience.
    • Research experience; familiar with systematic review methodology.

    Time Commitment

    • Estimate 8-14 months
    • Participate in 1-2 teleconference calls per month
    • Estimate 3-5 hours per month on paper development

    Application Process

    • All applicants must complete the online application and upload a copy of their current resume.

    Tips for Completing the Application

    • Google Chrome is the preferred browser.
    • You are required to upload a copy of your resume (Word or PDF format).
    • You are required to upload a 200-300 word-count personal statement indicating why you are interested in working on this position paper. Please prepare this document in advance of completing the application.
    • Allow 10-15 minutes to complete the application.

    Application

    • Click to complete the online application: none at this time 
    • Deadline to apply:  none at this time

    Questions? Email us at eal@eatright.org 
     

  • Patient Advocate

    Research indicates that advocacy and patient advocates make significant contributions to heath related research and activities by ensuring that efforts are patient-focused and help promote cooperation between all relevant sectors. As such, the Academy is now including a patient advocate in all EAL projects.

    Responsibilities 
    Noe: The role of the patient advocate can be flexible based on the topic and/or the advocates experience.

    • Participate in workgroup member functions such as research questions and recommendations
    • Provide viewpoints, ask questions and raise issues from patient, caregiver or public perspective.
    • Help ensure understandable language is used in public focused information.

    Time Commitment 

    • An EAL project may take 14 months to complete; up to 28 months for a guideline project.
    • Participate in 60-90 minute teleconference calls (estimate twice a month).
    • Complete between-call assignments in an agreed upon timeframe.
    • Respond to messages in a timely manner.

    Qualifications

    • Be a person with a disease, injury or condition or a family member or caregiver of a person living with a disease, injury or condition.
    • Experience in patient advocacy and/or affiliated with an advocacy organization.
    • Ability to represent interests of patients and communicate their perspective.
    • Comfortable with technology as all work is conducted in a web-based setting (online portal, webinars, teleconferences)
       

    Application Process 
    All applicants must complete the application which is designed to gather information on the applicant's experience as a patient advocate.

    Tips for Completing the Application

    • You are required to upload a 200-word statement explaining why are interested in the project and what you can contribute to the project.
    • You are required to upload a copy of your resume.
    • Google Chrome is the preferred browser.
    • Allow approximately 15 minutes to complete the application.


    Click to complete the online application:  Patient Advocate Online Application 


    Questions? Email us at eal@eatright.org 
     

  • Guideline Reviewer

    Each evidence-based nutrition practice guideline in the Evidence Analysis Library (EAL) is reviewed internally and externally using the AGREE II (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation) Instrument as the evaluation tool. Reviewers should consist of an interdisciplinary group of individuals - registered dietitian nutritionists, physicians, nurses, etc., - with working knowledge of the guideline topic.

    Reviewer Responsibilities:

    • Read about the Academy's systematic review and guideline development methodology.
    • Carefully read the Guideline Introduction and Recommendations
    • Complete an online evaluation based on the AGREE II instrument. Prior knowledge of  the AGREE II instrument is not required.

    Time Commitment

    • Read the guidelines and supporting systematic review.
    • Complete the review in the allotted 2 week review period.
    • Complete online review form.

    Application

    • Click to complete the Application 
    • Deadline to apply: March 11, 2024

    Questions?  Please email: eal@eatright.org 
     

  • Evidence Analyst

    Evidence analysts are responsible for reviewing food and nutrition-related research articles and abstracting relevant information. All evidence analysts are trained on the Academy's rigorous methodology and evidence analysis process. 

    Responsibilities:

    • Read and analyze assigned research articles
    • Abstract relevant study information
    • Complete online data extraction template and quality rating (risk of bias) checklist using the Academy's framework
    • Assist with the development of evidence summaries and summary tables
    • Communicate with the project manager and lead analyst

    Qualifications:

    • Advanced degree in nutrition or related field 
    • Strong analytical skills to abstract critical information and research characteristics from technical articles
    • Strong knowledge of study designs and methods
    • Strong knowledge of statistics
    • Critical thinking skills
    • Ability to produce consistent work in a timely manner
    • Computer literate and ability to use web-based programs and tools

    Time Commitment

    • Flexible hours - estimate 2-4 hours per article
    • Evidence analysts are asked to complete at least 1 article per week.

    Compensation

    • Serving as an EAL evidence analyst is considered a volunteer position with a stipend. Analysts will receive US$30 for each completed DET.

    Analyst Training
    All applicants are required to participate in a training session which consists of two 2-hour webinars, a task assignment, and a 1-hour review webinar. If selected, applicants must participate in the entire training. Mentoring will continue throughout the analysts' term. 

    Training Dates and Application

    We are not accepting applications at this time. 

    Questions should be directed to eal@eatright.org 


    updated 2/3/2017

  • Lead Analyst

    The lead analyst is responsibile for coordinating the project work including assigning tasks to evidence analysts, working with the librarian on the searches, drafting evidence summaries, recommendations, and summary tables. Training will be provided.

    Responsibilities

    • Participate in scoping reviews with project manager and content advisors.
    • Participate in expert panel teleconferences
    • Work with project manager and medical librarian on literature searches
    • Develop DET guide and assign tasks to evidence analysts
    • Complete 2nd risk of bias evaluation
    • Draft evidence summary narratives and tables, draft recommendations, and guideline introduction material
    • Communicate findings to expert panel members
    • Participate in manuscript development (optional)

    Qualifications

    • RDN preferred
    • Advanced degree (PhD, PhD candidate, MS, etc)
    • Strong knowledge of study designs and methods
    • Strong knowledge of statistics
    • Critical thinking skills
    • Strong writing skills for evidence summary development
    • Ability to synthesize results
    • Strong organizational and time-management skills
    • Research experience
    • Team leader

    Time Commitment

    • A systematic review can take 14-18 months; a guideline can take an additional 9 months.
    • Webinars are 1-2 times per month during regular business hours (est 60 minutes per call)
    • Estimate 10-15 hours online work per week during peak project time.

    Compensation

    • A lead analyst will receive compensation for the project work.

    How to Apply

    Applicants must complete the application which is designed to gather information on the applicants research expertise.

    Tips for Completing the Application

    • You are required to upload a 200-word personal statement explaining why are are interested in serving as a lead analyst.
    • You are required to upload a copy of your current resume.
    • Google Chrome is the preferred browser.
    • Allow 15 minutes to complete the application. Prepare the personal statement in advance.

    Application

    • Application link:  none at this time
    • Deadline to apply: none at this time

    Questions? Email us at eal@eatright.org