This job has Expired
Research Associate
Job Description
Posting Information
Posting Information
| Department | Chemistry-318300 |
|---|---|
| Career Area | Research Professionals |
| Posting Open Date | 09/07/2023 |
| Application Deadline | 10/06/2023 |
| Open Until Filled | No |
| Position Type | Permanent Staff (EHRA NF) |
| Working Title | Research Associate |
| Appointment Type | EHRA Non-Faculty |
| Position Number | 20059272 |
| Vacancy ID | NF0007316 |
| Full Time/Part Time | Full-Time Permanent |
| FTE | 1 |
| Hours per week | 40 |
| Position Location | North Carolina, US |
| Hiring Range | Dependent upon experience |
| Proposed Start Date | 10/30/2023 |
Position Information
| Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit | The Chemistry Department is one of the largest and most complex departments in the Division of Academic Affairs. There are 43 faculty members, 44 SHRA and EHRA staff positions, 260 graduate students, 33 postdoctoral research associates, 700 undergraduate majors, and an annual total of approximately 10,000 registrations by all students in classroom and laboratory courses. The Department is housed in five buildings with over 580,000 sq. feet of space. The faculty participate in teaching assignments which involve an average of 200 students per faculty member per semester. The majority of faculty are research active and supervise graduate students working on their Masters or Ph.D. degrees, undergraduate students carrying out independent research and honors programs, research technicians and postdoctoral research associates. Primarily the research is funded by federal and private agencies such as NSF, NIH, Army, Navy, DOE, PRF and involves expenditures of more than nineteen million dollars annually. A total of over thirty-two million dollars from all sources is expended annually in the Department. |
|---|---|
| Position Summary | The Research Associate in the Department of Chemistry Mass Spectrometry Core Laboratory at UNC plays a key role in operating and supporting Core laboratory objectives by providing mass spectrometry expertise for utilization and collaboration to both chemical and structural biology-based research laboratories. The primary role (70%) is to conduct project development and instrument optimization for research projects involving mass spectrometer instrumentation and technologies. This entails conducting literature searches, modifying existing instrument protocols, designing and implementing experiments, generating reports to communicate findings to Core users, clients, the Core Director and/or other members, and keeping thorough records of all observations and investigations. Experiments include novel structure elucidation, complex mixture analysis, extractions from biological matrices such as blood, plasma, tissues, and cell culture; mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and lipidomics. This work requires strong knowledge of existing mass spectrometry instrumentation and complementary technologies like liquid chromatography, the use of bioinformatics, data science tools, and python programming. The second role (25%) is to provide consultation to Core users and clients for experimental design of advanced mass spectrometry-based metabolomic and lipidomic projects. Consultation may be required prior to sample submission, but will also include data presentation (formal and informal) post-data acquisition. Candidate should have excellent written and oral communication skills in this area in order to convey complex scientific concepts and data in a meaningful and publishable manner. The use of bioinformatics and data visualization software will be a required element for this aspect of the role. The third role (5%) provides technical aspects associated with routine liquid chromatograph and mass spectrometer maintenance. Candidate should be familiar with routine liquid chromatography troubleshooting or maintenance procedures, as well as mass spectrometer calibration and maintenance and/or troubleshooting aspects. Candidate can expect to conduct minor repairs on occasion. |
| Minimum Education and Experience Requirements | Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent instructional or educational activities related to laboratory management or practice, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. |
| Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience | The Research Associate will have the following essential competencies: * Recent experience working in a research laboratory that focuses on problems of compelling chemical and/or biological importance. * Demonstrated ability to work with a high level of independence, to troubleshoot mass spectrometry and chromatography equipment, to solve experimental problems independently, and to be able to relate work to the larger big-picture laboratory context. * Recent experience working with large datasets as evidenced by independently analyzing mass spectrometry-based metabolomic, lipidomic, or quantitative data sets. * Recent experience in computational bioinformatics as evidenced by programming and problem solving. * Ability to interact constructively with diverse individuals with recent experience in training or teaching laboratory personnel. * Knowledge of modern mass spectrometer equipment and software from various vendors. * Ability to work occasional long days, as research work requires. |
| Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience | * Direct operational experience working with Thermo, Waters, and/or Sciex mass spectrometry equipment * Experience utilizing Compound Discoverer, LipidSearch, and/or Skyline or similar software * Coding experience in R or Python is a plus * Track-record of conveying complex data sets to scientist and non-scientist |
| Special Physical/Mental Requirements | |
| Campus Security Authority Responsibilities | Not Applicable. |
| Special Instructions | Please note that a CV/Resume, cover letter, and list of references are required to apply to this position. |
| Quick Link | https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/264756 |
Posting Contact Information
| Department Contact Name and Title | Brandie Ehrmann |
|---|---|
| Department Contact Telephone or Email | behrmann@email.unc.edu |
| Office of Human Resources Contact Information | 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 |
| Equal Opportunity Employer Statement | 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, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran. |
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