Research Technician/Assistant

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States

Updated: 10 days ago
Location: Chapel Hill, NORTH CAROLINA
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 23 Apr 2024

Posting Information
Posting Information


Department Biology - 318200
Career Area Research Professionals
Posting Open Date 04/09/2024
Application Deadline 04/23/2024
Position Type Temporary Staff (SHRA)
Position Title Research Technician/Assistant
Position Number 20007528
Vacancy ID S022943
Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Temporary
Hours per week 40
Work Schedule
Typically, 8:00 -5:00 with 1 hour break for lunch 5 days per week, but schedule can be flexible.
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range $17.00/hour
Proposed Start Date 08/01/2024
Estimated Duration of Appointment 6 months not to exceed 11 months

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 UNG-Chapel Hill is dedicated to the acquisition and dissemination of new and existing knowledge in the broad discipline of Biology. This will be accomplished by establishing and maintaining a high quality, research-active faculty who are committed to the research mission of UNG-Chapel Hill as evidenced by scholarly publication, the establishment of well-funded research programs and an exemplary overall international reputation. In addition, the faculty will demonstrate dedication to outstanding teaching of both undergraduate and graduate students in both classroom and laboratory settings. We seek to maintain and build the excellence of our program to provide the citizens of North Carolina with access to exceptional scientific scholarship, innovative research, first-rate training of our future scientists and the distribution of a basic knowledge of Biology to the UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduate population without regard to their choice of major discipline. The Department of Biology has approximately 2449 undergraduate majors, 100 graduate students, 40 post docs, 67 faculty, 20 administrative and general support positions, and 20 research positions.
The Bloom laboratory takes an integrative approach to understand the structural basis of chromosome segregation. Together with physicists and applied mathematicians we build mathematical models that recapitulate chromosome and microtubule dynamics. Using live cell imaging to quantitate chromosome motion together with course-grained models of the thermodynamics of long-chain polymers we embarked on a project to define, for the first time, the organization and function of over 1 million base pairs of DNA in the centromere. The centromere is the chromosomal site where the kinetochore is assembled, and where centromere DNA is physically coupled to microtubules. We found that the centromere is organized into loops that exert tension via a bottle-brush configuration that has literally changed the paradigm from a passive centromere DNA binding site to an active participant in partitioning chromosomes. The research represents the forefront in our challenge to deduce structures of large macromolecular complexes in living cells in real-time.
Position Summary
Research Assistant for single NIH grant supported research on the mechanisms of mitosis in budding yeast. Must be well organized and demonstrate individual initiative to maintain a smoothly running laboratory compliant with the UNC-CH safety standards so the P.I., post-doctoral fellows and students will have at hand the supplies and equipment necessary to be productive in their research. Must be meticulous and reliable in maintaining yeast cells, stocks for long-term storage, and growing cells. Must be able to teach effectively the basic laboratory procedures (glasswashing, making basic solutions, dishwashing, filling pipet boxes etc.) and to communicate expectations to the undergraduate assistants that help accomplish most of these routine jobs. Will need to: understand biological processes associated with mitosis and associated chromatin biochemistry, be capable of basic chemistry skills (including pipetting, calculating dilutions, calculating how to make up buffers from stock powders, sterile culture technique); master methods for culture and storage of cells and methods for preparing live cell for light microscopy; be capable of competently performing high resolution light microscopy, digital image acquisition and processing to obtaining high quality images of proteins within yeast cells during mitosis; assist in construction of transgenic yeast for kinetochore and chromatin proteins; and have the quantitative math, physics and computer skills for accurate analysis of image data using computer programs like MetaMorph, Matlab and other software to prepare data for presentation and publication (Excel, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Power Point).
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
N/A
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Quantitative biological chemistry, basic molecular biology and cell biology, and associated lab experience
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Microscopy and cell work requires both standing as well as sitting to use the instruments properly.
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.
Special Instructions
none
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/278058
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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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