A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The University of Michigan Performance Nutrition Department is currently seeking applicants for the United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) Performance Nutrition Fellowship position. The UDIM Fellow will provide performance nutrition services to Michigan Athletics teams and serve the Olympic Sport student-athlete population.

Position Summary:

The University of Michigan is accepting applications for one (1) full-time, 12-month term-limited Michigan Athletics-UDIM Performance Nutrition Fellowship position effective July 2026 through July 2027. This performance nutrition fellowship will prepare a Registered Dietitian for advanced sports nutrition practice that will optimize student-athlete performance, and improve student-athlete health, welfare, and lifetime wellness through an interdisciplinary model and the utilization of evidence-based practice concepts. Sponsored by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM), this fellow will collaborate with UDIM to use science-based nutrition information to promote cow's milk dairy products as part of a healthy diet that delivers both nutrition and health through athlete education programs, cooking demos, grocery store tours, and social media messaging.

This Performance Nutrition Fellowship aims to further the development of Registered Dietitians into proficient and expert level clinicians and future leaders in the field of sports medicine through mentored sports performance education opportunities along with dedicated sport assignments. The Performance Nutrition Fellow will be exposed to multidisciplinary settings of clinical practice, testing, and research, as well as administrative and interpersonal growth and development.

MISSION:
Provide evidence-based and innovative nutrition programs and services that promote performance and life-long health for Michigan student-athletes

VISION:
Provide an evidence-based, state-of-the-art performance nutrition program & a benchmark for success.

VALUES:

• Respect
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Teamwork

GOALS & PRIORITIES:

• Encourage holistic health, welfare, & performance for everyone connected to Michigan Athletics.
• Optimize data to make decisions while prioritizing data collection & utilization in areas that improve student-athlete safety & performance.
• Prioritize diversity of thought to innovate & foster relationships to assist with cost containment & revenue generation initiatives.
• Recruit & retain team members by fostering personal & professional growth & development, while encouraging engagement in the local & global health, safety, & performance communities.
• Provide competitive salary & benefit structure that will appeal to potential candidates & retain / promote current staff.
• Commitment to hiring & retaining personnel from diverse & inclusive backgrounds & experiences.

Clinical Environment:

• Autonomous athletic team nutrition care, coverage, and education through a close mentoring relationship with experienced Performance Dietitians.
• Professional socialization into the NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics work setting.
• Collaborative interdisciplinary work within a sports performance and student-athlete health and welfare (SAHW) model.
• Integrated telemedicine with mentors and physicians.

Clinical Education Outcomes Topics:

• Athletics Healthcare Administration.
• Interdisciplinary Health Care Team management of student-athlete health and welfare.
• Sports Performance and Clinical Nutrition Care Planning and Implementation.
• Body Composition Assessment and Results Interpretation (Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry; Skinfolds).
• Performance fueling initiative implementation, including team meals, training tables, pre- and post-activity fueling and hydration, and pre- and post-game meals.
• Collaborate with SAHW personnel and sport coaches to develop protocols to monitor and enhance rest, recovery and regeneration.
• Psychological Aspects of Sports / Mental Health.
• Strength and Conditioning Skills, Techniques, and Program Design.
• Medical Ethics.
• Performance Nutrition Learning and Practice Modules.
• Nutrition programming for Life After College Athletics.

Application Procedures:

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• Letter of Intent
• Resume
• Three (3) professional references (include names, titles, phone numbers, and email addresses)
   

• Serve as primary performance nutrition liaison for 4 sports teams; team assignments based on applicant's strengths, interests and department needs.
• Conduct new athlete nutrition screening and assessment.
• Develop nutrition education materials and facilitate team education sessions.
• Conduct nutrition, hydration and body composition assessments; interpretation and communication of results.
• Interpretation of performance lab testing results including iron screening labs (serum Ferritin, CBC).
• Document performance nutrition metrics, including recovery initiatives, team education interventions, individual athlete consults, body composition assessments and progress, and biochemical parameters.
• Evaluate dietary supplements for banned substances; knowledgeable about NCAA, Big 10, WADA/USADA, and Professional Athletic League dietary supplement regulations.
• Plan and coordinate pre- and post-game meals and snacks for home and away competitions.
• Facilitate grocery tours and cooking demonstrations.
• Serve as a nutrition resource for team athletic trainers, coaches, strength & conditioning coaches, medical staff, culinary and food service personnel.
• Manage Team Fueling Stations - including staffing, inventory, food safety, distribution and education.
• Supervise performance nutrition student interns and volunteers.
• Monitor team training tables and team meals.
• Provide performance nutrition information via social media.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Performance Nutrition.
• Adhere to all policies and procedures as defined by the NCAA, Big 10, University of Michigan, and University of Michigan Department of Athletics.
• Complete capstone project around cow's milk and dairy for college student-athletes.
  • Develop and provide education of how to incorporate dairy into recipes.
  • Provide education around the importance of including dairy in an athlete's diet.
  • Provide education on where Michigan Athletics sources their dairy and the sustainability practices that Michigan Dairy Farmers implement.
  • Education to include but not limited to; video creation, new recipe development, virtual grocery store tour.

• Masters degree in Nutrition or Dietetics or related field required.
• Current Registered Dietitian (RD) credential (or RD-eligible) through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR); expected to achieve RD status within 60 days of hire.
• Desire to work towards CDR's Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) credential.
• Current CPR and AED certification (re-certification available through UM Athletics).
• Thorough knowledge of nutrition principles as they relate to Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and athletic performance.
• Knowledge of food service quality and food safety procedures.
• Strong and effective oral and written communication skills.
• Strong and effective organization and time management skills with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Knowledge and understanding of unique aspects of collegiate student-athlete populations.
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced, diverse, and dynamic athletic working environment.
• Proven ability to work independently; able to prioritize and complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Capable of training, supervising and delegating tasks/duties effectively to student interns and volunteers.
• Appropriate training and adherence to common regulatory requirements of healthcare providers (e.g. OSHA, HIPAA, etc.).
• Sound computer and presentation skills and effective report preparation.
• Appropriate training and knowledge of medical documentation and electronic medical records (EMR).
• Ability to work a non-standard work week which may include early mornings, late nights, weekends, holidays, extended periods of time without days off, travel, and on-call availability.
• Proven ethical behavior.

• Previous experience in autonomous clinical and/or collegiate sports nutrition strongly desired.
• Proven ability to work within an interdisciplinary healthcare and sports performance model strongly desired.
• MNT counseling experience preferred regarding weight management (gain/loss), food allergies & intolerances, iron deficiency anemia, disordered eating/eating disorders, gastrointestinal diagnoses, pre- and post-surgery.
• Knowledge and understanding of unique aspects of collegiate student-athlete populations.
• Experience training, supervising and delegating tasks/duties effectively to student interns and volunteers.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include: 

• Generous time off.
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting.
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

All applications for this position must be received by 01/27/2026.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.