Food Scientist - Nutrition Specialist at mDoc Healthcare Limited

mDoc is digital health start up that leverages behavioral science, data, technology and quality improvement methodologies to improve access to quality healthcare for people with chronic health needs in sub-Saharan Africa. We are seeking an all-star product suite lead to join our team. Our ethos is etched in the belief that augmenting the healthcare & technology landscape is paramount to helping Africa unlock its true potential. We are on a mission to transform how African healthcare consumers receive the support they need to live longer, healthier, happier and more productive lives.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Food Scientist - Nutrition Specialist

Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full Time

Role Purpose

• You will provide technical leadership in nutrition science for AI health coaching while simultaneously contributing to the development of evidence-based nutritional interventions and food-related health solutions.
• This dual role empowers individuals to take control of their health outcomes through both digital AI coaching and comprehensive self-care programs.

Key Responsibilities
Phase 1: AI Nutrition Content Development (First 3 months):

• Nutrition Framework & Content Creation
• Develop evidence-based nutrition framework tailored for AI health coaching
• Curate and validate nutrition content libraries covering dietary guidelines, portion sizes, food composition, and condition-specific nutrition guidance
• Ensure content alignment with WHO standards, Nigerian dietary guidelines, and cultural practices
• Translate nutrition concepts into simple, accessible responses for users at varying literacy levels

AI Integration & Safety:

• Collaborate with AI developers to design nutrition-specific training datasets, prompts, and knowledge bases
• Test AI-generated nutrition responses for accuracy, safety, and clarity
• Define safety thresholds and develop risk identification protocols for nutrition coaching
• Build handoff pathways for higher-risk cases requiring human intervention

Phase 2: Expanded Food Science Role (Ongoing):
Research & Development:

• Design and conduct research studies on nutritional interventions for common health conditions in Nigeria
• Analyze food composition, bioavailability, and nutritional density of local Nigerian foods
• Create formulations for nutritional supplements or fortified foods targeting specific health conditions
• Collaborate with clinical teams to validate nutritional interventions through pilot studies

Program Development & Implementation:

• Design culturally appropriate nutritional education materials and self-care protocols
• Develop digital nutrition assessment tools and algorithms for the mDoc platform
• Create standardized nutritional screening and monitoring protocols
• Establish quality control measures for nutrition-related program components

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Partner with local food producers, suppliers, and agricultural stakeholders
• Collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, and community health organizations
• Interface with regulatory bodies regarding food safety and nutritional claims
• Engage with healthcare providers to ensure clinical relevance of interventions

Data Management & Analysis:

• Collect, analyze, and interpret nutritional and health outcome data
• Develop metrics and KPIs for measuring program effectiveness
• Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations for stakeholders
• Contribute to peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations

Key Requirements
Education & Experience:

• Master's Degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Dietetics, or related field (PhD preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in food science, nutrition research, or public health nutrition
• Experience working in Nigeria or similar sub-Saharan African contexts
• Experience with international development projects or NGO work preferred

Technical Skills:

• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, microbiology, and nutritional biochemistry
• Strong knowledge of African food systems and cultural dietary practices
• Proficiency in nutritional analysis software and statistical analysis tools (SPSS, R, SAS)
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and quality control systems
• Familiarity with clinical trial design and implementation

Digital & Technology Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel for data analysis
• Experience with database management systems
• Familiarity with digital health platforms and mobile health applications
• Experience with multidisciplinary collaboration in health, digital health, or AI projects (preferred)

Personal Attributes:

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities
• Proven ability to translate nutrition science into practical, accessible guidance
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability
• Passion for improving public health outcomes
• Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams
• Results-oriented with attention to detail
• Comfort working in a fast-paced startup environment

Deliverables (First 3 months):

• Inception Report - methodology, work plan, and priority nutrition domains
• Nutrition Framework Document - evidence-based guidelines for AI integration
• Validated Nutrition Content Library - culturally tailored content for AI integration
• Testing & Validation Report - AI response testing results and recommendations
• Training Session(s) - capacity-building workshops for internal teams
•  Final Report - summary of activities, deliverables, and recommendations

Compensation & Contract Structure:

• Phase 1 (3 months): Monthly consulting payments based on skills, expertise, and
• experience
• Phase 2: Full-time permanent position with competitive salary and benefits
• Opportunity to transition from consulting to permanent employment based on
• performance and mutual interest.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Resume or CV to: mqn@mymdoc.com using the Job Title as the subject of the email.