Research Specialist - Saini Lab

M-F Weekends occasionally. Exact hours to be determined by supervisor and selected employee.

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

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 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. 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.

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

The Saini Lab in the UNC Chapel Hill Nutrition Research Institute is seeking a highly motivated and talented Research Specialist to join our team and work on studies involving precision nutrition and fetal alcohol syndrome utilizing animal models. Our lab is dedicated to understanding how maternal nutrition and environmental factors, such as alcohol exposure, affect maternal and fetal metabolism, fetal development and long-term health outcomes in offspring.

The responsibilities of the Research Specialist include but are not limited to standard molecular biology methods ( PCR, western blot, agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA/ RNA isolations), biochemical assays ( ELISA), immunohistochemistry (sectioning samples for tissue histology), image analysis, mouse handling (colony management, husbandry, experimental treatments, tissue collection) and cell culture techniques. The position will set up studies, process and analyze various biological samples using the above-mentioned techniques. The ideal candidate for the position should have a basic knowledge and understanding of data analysis using statistical techniques or software such as SAS, GraphPad etc. The position will follow established standard operating procedures and may make modifications prior to approval by the supervisor. The position is expected to work in some independence as a part of a research team that is involved in basic science and translational research studies.

The position is also expected to maintain lab records and proper documentation of mouse colonies, experimental procedures, reports, use excel spreadsheets for data entry and analysis, prepare written reports and presentations, and work independently in these capacities. After an initial training period, the position is expected to carry out standard experimental procedures with minimal supervision, occasionally train less experienced personnel (coworkers, students), and present/discuss work as power-point presentations in lab meetings. The position is also expected to learn and adapt new techniques as needed to support the research. After training, the position may also be required to put in lab orders for reagents and supplies as needed, serve as a lab safety manager-with responsibility to maintain safety plan documentation, maintain safety records, ensure proper storage and disposal of hazardous material, and assist in other formal reporting.

Additional benefits associated with this position include the opportunity to join a research team that highly values professional development. We will work with the selected candidate to help build the skills and experiences desired to further their individual career goals.

This is a 2-year time limited position, with the possibility of extension depending on the individual's performance.

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.

Selected candidate must demonstrate the following:

- Previous experience working in a laboratory.
- Experience working with rodents, colony management, and collecting tissues.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in record keeping.
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to work onsite on holidays, occasional weekends, and emergency conditions including but not limited to severe weather events, as this position performs essential duties daily. The position is designated as 'mandatory' and when contacted to report to work, must remain on the job in support of mandatory University operations, even when adverse weather or other emergency conditions require reduced operations and if deemed necessary by their supervisor, work a differing schedule than normal.
- Understanding of general analytical and chemical fundamentals and be able to exercise judgement in the planning and use of experimental techniques, and analysis of data.

- Experience with PCR, immunohistochemistry, western blots, ELISA and/or cell culture.
- Knowledge of statistical analysis using tools such as SAS, Graphpad etc.

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 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.