Research Technician

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States

Updated: 2 months ago
Location: Chapel Hill, NORTH CAROLINA
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 29 Feb 2024

Posting Information
Posting Information


Department Biology - 318200
Career Area Research Professionals
Posting Open Date 02/14/2024
Application Deadline 02/29/2024
Position Type Temporary Staff (SHRA)
Position Title Research Technician
Position Number 20012105
Vacancy ID S022677
Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Temporary
Hours per week 40
Work Schedule
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range $15.00 - $19.00 depending on experience
Proposed Start Date 03/11/2024
Estimated Duration of Appointment 6 months or less

Position Information


Be a Tar Heel!
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.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
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 2,800 majors and we enroll over 5,000 undergraduate students in our classes each year. Our average total annual expenditures exceed $24 million, with nearly half of that coming from grant sponsored research. The department is composed of 50 tenure-track faculty, 10 teaching faculty, 8 research faculty, and numerous active adjunct and emeritus faculty. We currently have 50 graduate students, 40 post-docs and employ approximately 60 additional graduate and undergraduate students from across the university to assist in our teaching and research missions. Our mission is supported by an administrative and technical staff of 20, with an additional 25 staff directly supporting research.
The Jiakun Chen lab in the Biology Department at UNC is interested in astrocyte development and function in the nervous system. Our lab uses fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and zebrafish Danio rerio 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 the crosstalk between astrocytes and surrounding cells in vivo. Our hope is that this information will ultimately provide novel insights into astrocyte dysfunction in human neurological disease.
Position Summary
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, be 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 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 important.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
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 have a strong motivation to pursue scientific research as a career track.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Student currently enrolled at a university, or individual with a bachelor’s degree in biology, or related field. Knowledge of genetics, developmental biology, and/or neurobiology also desired. Previous experience with fruit flies or zebrafish is desired but not required, and a possible commitment of a 2-year employment is preferred.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
None
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.
Special Instructions
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/274784
Temporary Employment Policies
Temporary Employment Policies

Posting Contact Information


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 [email protected] 
 
Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.
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, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

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