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.

The primary purpose of the Research Associate is to support the work of Dr. Tessa Andermann. This position will perform laboratory and data analysis for molecular studies of the gut microbiome of immunocompromised patients in the Andermann Lab at UNC-CH. The researcher will perform laboratory tasks related to shotgun metagenomic sequencing ( DNA extraction, library prep/ PCR, pooling of samples) and bioinformatics (primarily stool metagenomics).

This work will include conducting complex experiments, which will entail adaptation and modification of existing procedures in the laboratory. To support this experimental work, the position will require review and interpretation of relevant literature, analysis of complex data, as well as data interpretation.

The researcher will work under the close direction of the principal investigator, Dr. Tessa Andermann, in collaboration with other labs and PIs as part of the Lineberger Cancer Center and the Division of Infectious Diseases. Dr. Andermann is an Associate Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases. The Division of Infectious Diseases develops ongoing clinical, educational, and research programs directed toward the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

Working throughout the state and across campus, the Division's goals include: (1) Improving clinical care in infectious diseases, including activities related to the management of immunocompromised patients with infectious diseases; activities related to emerging pathogens and clinical outreach; and (2) Coordinating basic and applied research in infectious diseases and fostering collaboration among other investigators and researchers.

Master's in Marine Sciences and Microbiology, or a related field.

Prior experience investigating the gut microbiome in immunocompromised patients, culturing and microbiology laboratory skills.

Ability to maneuver in the lab, including lifting items, performing lab tasks, and performing computer work, with or without accommodation.

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.