Research Technician

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 primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Research Technician in the laboratory of Dr. Bryan Roth, Michael Hooker Distinguished Professor of Protein Therapeutics and Translational Proteomics, UNC School of Medicine. The Roth lab studies the structures and function of G-Protein coupled receptors
(GPCRs). The research technician will conduct experiments supported by the National Institute of Health within the research areas of Psychoactive Drug Screening Program ( PDSP) which provides screening assays at G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) at no cost for eligible investigators.

The PDSP performs assays in a high-throughput screening ( HTS) fashion. The plates are prepared using an automatic liquid handler and an automatic storage manager (robots). The main task for the research technician is to assist operating the robots, the selected candidate will be trained for the robot operation. The PDSP recycles the conductive tips used by the robot, the research technician will also help with the conductive tip racking and washing.

Additionally, this technician will also be trained to carry out pharmacologic radioligand binding and cell-based functional assays in a HTS fashion with the large collection of GPCRs, transporters, and ion channels. The results for these assays will be posted on the PDSP database, carefully reviewed by the QC team, and once approved available online for the investigator.

The technician will help with the lab maintenance tasks: prepare lab stock supplies, buffers, reagents, and other components to carry out assays. Comply with all radioactive usage protocols, waste disposal, autoclaving and usage record keeping, safety and common-sense techniques.

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

Experience with pipetting small volume solutions, and basic cell culture techniques

Previous related experience

Knowledge of GPCR, cellular biology or pharmacology

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.