Research Technician

25 - 40 hours per week; schedule to be determined

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 that include numerous retail and restaurant discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates for performing arts events.

The Department of Biology at UNC-Chapel Hill is dedicated to the discovery and dissemination of new and existing knowledge in the broad discipline of Biology by maintaining a high-quality faculty who integrate cutting-edge research and student-focused teaching.

We are one of the largest academic departments in the College of Arts and Sciences. We have over 3,000 majors and intendent majors, and we enroll over 5,000 undergraduate students in our classes each year. Our average total annual expenditure exceeds $24 million, with nearly half of that coming from grant sponsored research. Our large research base spans many areas of biology and supports several outstanding graduate programs. We consist of 54 tenure-track faculty, 16 teaching faculty, 10 research faculty, and numerous active adjunct and emeritus faculty who are engaged in basic and interdisciplinary research and teaching, both within the department and between other departments and schools at UNC.

We currently have 52 graduate students, 30 post-docs and employ approximately 85 additional graduate and undergraduate students from across the university to assist in our teaching and research missions. Further, we are supported by an administrative staff of 19, with an additional 45 staff directly supporting research.

The Chen lab in the Biology Department at UNC is interested in astrocyte development and function in the nervous system. Our lab uses fruit flies and zebrafish as model systems to explore fundamental aspects of astrocyte biology. We leverage the powerful genetics and unparalleled molecular toolkits in Drosophila to uncover gene function in astrocytes, and we exploit the advanced live-imaging techniques in zebrafish to study neuron-astrocyte communication in vivo. Our hope is that this information will ultimately provide novel insights into astrocyte dysfunction in human brain disorders.

We seek a Research Technician to join our group. This is a research-focused technical position. The ideal candidate must be highly motivated to do research, is independent, detail-oriented, meticulously organized, and possess strong problem-solving skills. The candidate must be comfortable handling fruit flies and zebrafish for husbandry and experimental purposes. The individual will use a wide range of advanced biological techniques, including molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, pharmaceutical approach, and confocal imaging techniques, to address active research areas in the lab. The ability of the individual to work well with others and be effective in training others is also essential.

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

The applicant must have previous research experience(s), working knowledge and experience with basic molecular biology techniques (including PCR, DNA gel electrophoresis, and genotyping), computer skills, strong analytical and communication skills (both oral and written), and a strong motivation to pursue scientific research as a career track.

Student currently enrolled at a university or individual with course work in biology or related field.

None

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.