Research Associate

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.

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 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 prepare tomorrow`s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.

Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.

Under supervision of the Principal Investigator, this Research Associate position will be tasked with performing advanced cellular and molecular biology experiments to support research projects investigating the genetic variants associated with psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Cellular and molecular biology experiments include human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived models and high-throughput genomic library generation. This will require generating massively parallel reporter assay ( MPRA), perturb-seq, RNA-seq, and DNA-seq libraries; generating viral plasmids that can transduce human neural cells and mouse tissues; performing multiplexed reporter assays; performing CRISPR screens; performing PCR and gel electrophoresis; primary neuronal cell culture and transduction; mouse colony maintenance and tissue harvest; preparing buffers, solutions, and chemicals for lab experiments; data analysis and interpretation; maintaining database of experimental results; assisting with grant applications and publications; providing technical assistance in the lab, including assisting other members of the lab; and assisting with training of lab assistants and students.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.

The candidate must have a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in biology, cell biology, molecular biology, neuroscience, or genetics. The candidate must have extensive experience with molecular biology. The individual must have strong organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively and work on several projects both independently and in a team setting, and interface effectively with biologists and computational scientists and statisticians.

Experience working in academic research is desirable.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.