Research Assistant

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.

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 UNC_NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering invites applications for a full-time Research Assistant position. The position will have an academic appointment in the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering and will participate in a NIH-funded research program to develop multiple drug delivery formulations including a hydrogel system for cell therapies, and long-acting multipurpose prevention technologies for prevention of HIV and unplanned pregnancy and for a broader application in women's health. Various technologies will be advanced by utilizing formulation development and polymer chemistry, hydrogel systems, stem cell and drug delivery, injectable formulation, 3D printed devices, in vitro model systems, and in vivo studies in relevant models for safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacy. The focus of this position will be on formulation development and optimization combined with in vitro and in vivo characterization and testing. Additionally, the position will require scientific data analysis, reporting and manuscript writing. A strong background in biomedical engineering, biochemistry, formulation development, adherent and suspension mammalian cell culture, and cell-based assays including live/dead cell assay, ATP/ MTT assays, immunohistochemical staining and imaging, live cell imaging, ELISA, Western Blot, RT- PCR, protein/ DNA/ RNA extraction and purification, fluorescence microscopy, experimental design, CAD and SLA 3D printing. Analytical expertise including HPLC, FT-IR, rheology, DSC, TGA, AFM, NMR, UV-Vis, mechanical testing, imaging techniques including SEM, TEM, ESEM, BLI, and confocal imaging is strongly preferred. Software experience in ImageJ, Origin, GraphPad, MATLAB, SolidWorks, and BioRender. The ideal candidate will have experience in design and development of translational biomaterials that can be applied to address real-world unmet medical needs using interdisciplinary approach in biomedical engineering, biochemistry, polymer chemistry, biology, and pharmaceutical science.

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

The successful candidate must have excellent communication skills and be creative, highly motivated and able to work independently, with demonstrated strong experience in hydrogel formulations, tissue culture, cell-based assays, in vivo studies, and project management and execution. The candidate must have the interest in and ability to collaborate with other researchers and must be willing to proactively write and publish manuscripts and help with grant submissions. The preferred candidate will have a solid foundation in techniques for the use of biomaterial fabrication, cells/medicines, animals, cellular biology assays, and analytical methods in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and cell therapies research, with expertise in biology and biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical engineering or a closely related discipline, and the interest to contribute as team member. The candidate must have outstanding work ethics and demonstrated dedication to scientific advances and research excellence.

The preferred candidate would have demonstrated prior project leadership and excellent communication and verbal skills to lead and execute high-level research projects. Prior industry experience in the fields of biomedical engineering, product development, and translational research is preferred.
Course work in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related discipline.

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

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

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.