Research Assistant - Tate Lab

Typically 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday with potential for early morning, evening, or weekend hours to be shared across team members.

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) is a world-renowned center and a global leader in precision nutrition research. Our on-site facilities include multiple wet labs and clinical facilities as well as a vivarium and a metabolic chamber. Approximately two hours from UNC-Chapel Hill, the NRI is located on the beautiful North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) in Kannapolis, NC, a mid-size city with a small-town feel. The institute is within walking distance of the city center which includes shops, restaurants, a minor-league ballpark, theater, and music hall of fame. We are also a short drive to Charlotte and Winston-Salem/Greensboro. The NRI offers programs that support a healthy work/life balance. We also offer professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development, and lifelong learning.

Learning how people can eat uniquely!

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute ( NRI) is an internationally recognized center conducting innovative basic and translational science to establish how individual differences in nutrient requirements and responses to diet affect our nutritional needs. Our research contributes to the prevention and mitigation of chronic disease across the lifespan from periconception through aging.

Our Mission is to lead precision nutrition research through understanding how genetics and environment affect an individual's requirements for and responses to nutrients.

NRI principal investigators hold faculty appointments in the departments of Nutrition and Psychology at UNC Chapel Hill. Their research interrogates nutrient roles in disease prevention, disease risk factors, and the impact of gene-environment and gene-nutrient interactions.

The NRI promotes excellence in nutrition knowledge, teaching, and research. We seek and encourage a diversity of experiences and ideas and provide the tools and flexibility for all employees to achieve success and excellence within their chosen occupations and aspirations.

We are committed to open dialogue, careful listening, becoming educated about the systems that hinder or prevent success, and taking action to ensure that all are equally acknowledged for their contributions and equally reap the benefits of being part of our community.

Our Vision is to use scientific discovery to ensure optimal health through individualized nutrition.

Everyone who works at the NRI supports this hopeful vision. Working at the NRI means doing good for the world. Join us!

The NRI and this position are in Kannapolis, NC, in the Charlotte region.

Position Title: Research Assistant

NOTE: This position is located in Kannapolis, NC, appx. 2 hours from UNC's main campus.

Chapel Hill received funding to establish both a targeted Health Care Provider Organization ( HPO) for the All of Us Research Program and a Clinical Center ( UNC-CC) site for the first ancillary study, Nutrition for Precision Health ( NPH). All of Us is a unique research program funded by NIH to build one of the most diverse health databases in history. Nutrition for Precision Health, powered by the All of Us Research Program is a new initiative to develop algorithms that predict individual responses to food and dietary patterns. The NPH Consortium consists of 12 awardees across the US with whom UNC is partnering to implement data collection and analysis. The UNC-CC includes two recruitment/clinical data collection locations, one in Chapel Hill, NC, ( UNC-CH), and one in Kannapolis, NC, located at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute ( NRI).

Come join our team as we begin work on these innovative studies. Working under the general supervision of the Research Project Manager and the Site Coordinator, this Research Assistant will be responsible for a variety of duties. Specific duties will vary depending on the needs of the study. When the study is fully up and running, we anticipate the primary and secondary duties as noted below, but these may be subject to change over the course of the study.

Primary
Communication with study participants for purposes of recruitment, retention, and scheduling
Data collection including obtaining informed consent, biospecimen collection, study measurements and providing instructions to study participants
Assist with other study activities to ensure the successful completion of the study aims

Secondary
Processing and shipping of biological specimens (blood, urine, saliva, and other specimens)

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

Willingness to be trained in and follow study-specific protocols and procedures
Ability to work both independently and within a team to achieve research aims
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with individuals of diverse backgrounds
Excellent computing skills including experience with Microsoft Office 365 and study data management
Flexible scheduling with potential for early morning, evening, or weekend hours to be shared across team members
Ability to maintain a high level of detail and accuracy in work
*Exposure to bloodborne pathogens

Prior research experience not required, but must be willing to implement study protocols and procedures according to Good Clinical Practice guidelines
Bilingual (Spanish) candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
*Phlebotomy skills or willing to learn a plus

This position is located in Kannapolis, NC.

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 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.