Research Specialist

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The UNC School of Medicine has a rich tradition of excellence and care. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of North Carolinians, and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research. We strive to promote faculty, staff, and learner development in a diverse, respectful environment where our colleagues demonstrate professionalism, enhance learning, and create personal and professional sustainability. We optimize our partnership with the UNC Health System through close collaboration and commitment to service.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to be the nation's leading public school of medicine. We are ranked 2nd in primary care education among all US schools of medicine and 5th among public peers in NIH research funding. Our Allied Health Department is home to five top-ranked divisions, and we are home to 18 top-ranked clinical and basic science departments in NIH research funding.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research.
Patient Care: We will promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We will prepare tomorrow's health care professionals and biomedical researchers by facilitating learning within innovative curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education. We will cultivate outstanding teaching and research faculty, and we will recruit outstanding students and trainees from highly diverse backgrounds to create a socially responsible, highly skilled workforce.
Research: We will develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers, and resources. We will provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our University to support outstanding research. We will foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic, and population research.

This position's primary purpose is to support Dr. Tessa Andermann's work. This position will perform laboratory and data analysis of molecular studies of the gut microbiome of immunocompromised patients in the Andermann Lab at UNC-CH. The researcher will perform laboratory tasks related to shotgun metagenomic sequencing ( DNA extraction, library prep/ PCR, and pooling of samples), microbiology (culturing, bioreactor fermentation), and bioinformatics. The researcher will work under the close direction of the principal investigator, Dr. Tessa Andermann, in collaboration with other labs and PIs as part of the Lineberger Cancer Center and the Division of Infectious Diseases.

Dr. Andermann is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases. The Division of Infectious Diseases develops ongoing clinical, educational, and research programs to prevent and treat infectious diseases. Working throughout the state and across campus, the Division's goals include:
Improving clinical care in infectious diseases, including activities related to managing immunocompromised patients with infectious diseases; activities related to emerging pathogens and clinical outreach.
Coordinating basic and applied research in infectious diseases and fostering collaboration among other investigators and researchers.

Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong problem-solving skills.
Basic knowledge of principles of infectious diseases and epidemiology.
Demonstrated competence in microbiology laboratory techniques.
Demonstrated competence with widely used software programs (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe).
Demonstrated competence with R scripting and/or Python and Command Line/Unix/Bash.

Supervisory experience.
Experience with REDCap.
Experience with shotgun metagenomic sequencing and 16S sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.
Laboratory experience with DNA extractions, PCR, serological studies.

Not Applicable.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.