Senior 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 UNC Department of Pediatrics is recruiting a Research Associate (Laboratory Research Manager) to join the Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. This position will support a number of research projects focused on understanding how extracellular matrix ( ECM)-epithelial cell interactions regulate lung development, alveolar homeostasis, and repair. The successful applicant will report to Dr. Erin Plosa, whose research program uses lung-specific transgenic mouse models and advanced molecular biology techniques to investigate how integrins and their ECM ligands influence lung epithelial cell behavior.

The Research Associate will organize and participate in maintaining a smooth laboratory environment. This individual will conduct laboratory investigations related to their own project, assist in planning and coordinating general lab research projects, analyze data, and communicate findings through reports and presentations. They will also support laboratory safety efforts and supervise and mentor technicians, students, and trainees in research activities.

The Research Associate will be expected to perform in vitro and in vivo experiments and standard molecular biology techniques, including cell and tissue culture, processing primary tissue for cell isolation, and utilizing light and fluorescent microscopy. They will conduct complex laboratory testing, develop and optimize experimental methods and procedures, and perform assays such as PCR and immunostaining.

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

Experience with microscopy and image analysis

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.