Research Technician - Chapel Hill, United States - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Description
Research Technician
Be a Tar Heel
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.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
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.
Position Summary
The UNC HIV Cure Center and the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invite applications for Research Technicians. The UNC HIV Cure Center is focused on the discovery, development, and implementation of new treatments to allow durable treatment-free remission of HIV infection. The HIV Cure Center is supported by University and federal funds and by a public-private partnership between the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and private companies. The Center seeks to co-mingle academic and industry approaches, redefining research and seeking the breakthroughs needed to tackle this extraordinarily challenging global health issue.
We are seeking research technicians and highly motivated, and independent to undertake studies at the UNC HIV Cure Center, specifically in a project seeking to understand HIV persistence and eradication strategies for the cure of HIV. The UNC HIV Cure Center is a multi-disciplinary research center with various current translational studies. Our laboratory is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms of HIV latency and persistent HIV infection-associated complications. We seek to discover new anti-HIV latency therapeutic targets that will ultimately lead to the eradication of HIV, including kick and kill, direct killing, and deep latency. Various HIV latency models will be used in these studies, including in vitro and ex vivo cellular models of latency and ART-suppressed rhesus macaque models of latency. Tissues (CNS and peripheral compartments) isolated from people with HIV on ART, SIV/rhesus macaques, and HIV/hu-mice will also be studied.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Experience in HIV/AIDS and/or other infectious diseases.
Experience in Epigenetics and single-cell omics background.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
The ideal candidate will have experience and interest in cellular and/or animal models of SIV/HIV infection or other viral infection models with expertise in flow cytometry, tissue culture, and cellular immunology to facilitate translational research at the clinical/basic science interface. They will also be proficient in microscopy techniques and immunostaining. Preference will be given to candidates with extensive experience in tissue processing, primary cell culture, flow cytometry, and molecular biology/biochemistry techniques such as co-immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, qPCR/RT-qPCR/ddPCR, and western blot analysis. Single-cell omics (scRNA-seq, ATAC-seq, etc.) training in T-cell biology and/or neurobiology will be a plus.
Candidates should also have strong laboratory and analytical skills as demonstrated by a strong track record of relevant first-author publications (postdoc) or co-authored publications (technician) in well-respected journals. Outstanding communication skills in English are essential for this position.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Must possess flexibility, mobility, and strength to store and access research samples, reagents, and supplies, with or without accommodation. Needs to have the physical ability to perform many varied tasks; i.e., fine motor skills, excellent hand-eye coordination, and a high level of concentration to do challenging techniques, with or without accommodation.
Position/Schedule Requirements
Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens, Laboratory
Please apply online at
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.