Research Associate

UNC-Chapel Hill, United States

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Chapel Hill, NORTH CAROLINA
Deadline: 27 Sep 2021

Classification Title:
Research Associate  
Working Title:
Research Associate  
Campus:
UNC-Chapel Hill  
Region:
Piedmont/Triangle  
Job Summary:

The UNC HIV Cure Center aims to discover, develop, and implement new treatments leading to the cure of HIV infection. The Cure Center is a partnership between the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and ViiV Healthcare and are co-founders of a jointly owned company, Qura Therapeutics, housed at UNC-CH. This unique public-private partnership is redefining traditional research norms and is creating a new model to seek breakthroughs for this extraordinarily challenging global health issue. In addition to the ViiV Healthcare collaboration, the Cure Center also collaborates across the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as with researchers at national and international academic institutions.
The focus of the research is the study of HIV persistence (latency mechanisms, immune response, drug development, viral clearance, novel assays, approaches, and therapeutics) and strategies to clear the virus. The research includes biochemical studies of signaling proteins and repressive transcription factors, studies of HIV infections in primary cells and cell lines and in humanized mice models with a strong focus on the in vitro and in vivo testing of small inhibitory molecules that target HIV latency through a variety of mechanisms of action. The candidate will be expected to conduct experiments independently under the direction of laboratory Pl and senior scientific leadership. The project goals and experimental plan will be defined by discussions with Pl and the candidate will be expected to work with the Pl and other laboratory researchers to design experiments and protocols to execute project goals. Experiments will include the use of following techniques and skill sets: cell culture under aseptic conditions, development of new cell based assays, RNA and DNA extraction, qPCR, protein isolation, gel electrophoresis, western blotting, immunoprecipitation, northern blotting, ELISAs, plasmid preparation and flow cytometry. The candidate will also provide support to faculty members, post-doctoral trainees and graduate students in the lab through training or assisting with common laboratory duties and assays when necessary. Candidate will collaborate with Pl and collaborators in the publication and presentation of research findings.
In addition to performing experiments based on predesigned protocols as above, this position requires independent development and optimization of new and original protocols within our lab, through careful literature review and experimental testing of different methods and conditions. The research associate is also responsible for interpreting the results of these experiments and preparing detailed reports based on these findings. Through this approach, the candidate will independently develop original methods that will advance the scientific goals of the laboratory.
  
Minimum Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have experience and interest in HIV and/or other viral pathogens. Experience in basic science models of host:pathogen interaction, animal models of infection and immunology, and in facilitating translational research at the clinical/basic science interface is preferred. Proficiency in range of scientific techniques, including tissue culture, cellular immunology, flow cytometry and molecular biology techniques such as DNA and RNA analysis by QPCR, western blot, ELISA, etc. are preferred. Familiarity with a broad range of cell line models and primary cell assays is a pluc. Candidates should also have strong laboratory and analytical skills as demonstrated by a strong track record of relevant publications in well-respected journals. 
Ability to work independently on multiple projects with a range of investigators and stakeholder collaborators across a variety of disciplines. 
Outstanding oral and written communication skills (verbal and written fluency in English). Proficiency in Microsoft suite: Excel, Word, PowerPoint. 
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills. 
Experience with conducting literature searches.
PhD. in Biology, Immunology, Virology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry or related field.
  
Position Number:
NF0005216  
Posting Date:
09/13/2021  
Closing Date:
09/27/2021
American Recovery & Reinvestment Act Funded:
No  

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