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 Thaxton Laboratory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking a highly motivated PhD-level Research Specialist to lead and support innovative research at the intersection of cell biology, metabolism, and tumor immunity.

Our laboratory studies the intersection of cell biology, metabolism, and tumor immunity, with a particular focus on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) biology. Projects in the laboratory integrate mechanistic cell biology with translational cancer research using advanced microscopy, molecular biology, metabolomics, spectral flow cytometry and functional cellular approaches.

We are seeking a highly independent and technically strong scientist with deep expertise in microscopy and cell biology and/ or immunology who is excited to drive mechanistic discovery in a collaborative and intellectually rigorous environment. This individual will serve as the laboratory's and collaborative research program's scientific resource in advanced cell biology, microscopy, imaging analysis, immunology and/ or multi-omic data interpretation.

This senior scientist will support multiple NIH- and foundation-funded research programs, including R01CA310022A, R01CA288976A1, and R01CA305975A1. The position will provide specialized expertise in cell biology, advanced microscopy, quantitative imaging, immunology and/ or analysis of multi-omic datasets while supporting collaborative projects across the UNC research community.

Candidates should have strong expertise in several of the following areas:
* Advanced fluorescence microscopy and image analysis
* Cell biology and organelle biology
* Molecular biology and cloning
* Bioinformatics or computational analysis experience
* Experience working with large imaging or omics datasets (proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, spatial transcriptomics)
* Cellular metabolism and stress biology
* Biochemistry and protein analysis techniques
* Immunology

Master's or Bachelor's and 0-2 years' experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

* Must have strong publication record and evidence of scientific creativity and productivity
* Excellent communication and organizational skills
* Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

* Advanced fluorescence microscopy and image analysis
* Cell biology and organelle biology
* Molecular biology and cloning
* Bioinformatics or computational analysis experience
* Experience working with large imaging or omics datasets
* Tissue culture and mammalian cell engineering
* Cellular metabolism and stress biology
* Biochemistry and protein analysis techniques

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.