Research Technician

Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.

This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship.

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 HIV Cure Center and the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics in the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invite applications for a Research Technician, Advanced. The UNC HIV Cure Center is dedicated to the discovery, development, and implementation of innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at achieving durable, treatment-free remission of HIV infection. Supported through University and federal funding, as well as a public-private partnership, the Center blends academic and industry approaches to drive translational research and address one of the most challenging global health issues.

This role is a highly motivated, experienced, and independent research professional that supports and leads studies focused on HIV persistence and eradication strategies. The laboratory investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms of HIV latency, chronic HIV-associated complications, and therapeutic targets for HIV cure interventions including kick-and-kill, direct-kill, and deep-latency approaches. Research platforms include in vitro and ex vivo cellular latency models, ART-suppressed rhesus macaque models, and analysis of tissues derived from individuals with HIV, SIV/rhesus macaques, and HIV/hu-mouse models.

The Research Technician will oversee day-to-day laboratory operations by managing supplies, maintaining equipment, ensuring safety compliance, and coordinating shared resources. This role also maintains laboratory inventories, orders reagents and consumables, and monitors adherence to budget and spending guidelines. The Technician will serve as a primary point of contact for EHS, biosafety, chemical safety, and facility inspectors to keep all protocols and certifications current. In addition, they will train and mentor junior staff, students, and new laboratory members in research methods, laboratory procedures, and safety practices. The position assists with protocol development, optimization of complex experiments, data quality control, and troubleshooting technical issues, while also supporting the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and promoting consistency across laboratory workflows. The Research Technician will work independently and collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of scientists, clinicians, and industry partners to advance the Center's mission.

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

The ideal candidate will have experience and interest in cellular and/or animal models of SIV/ HIV infection or other viral infection models with expertise in flow cytometry, tissue culture, and cellular immunology to facilitate translational research at the clinical/basic science interface. He/she should also be proficient in microscopy techniques and immunostaining. Preference will be given to candidates with extensive experience in tissue processing, primary cell culture, flow cytometry, and molecular biology/biochemistry techniques such as co-immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, qPCR/RT-qPCR/ddPCR, and western blot analysis. Single-cell omics (scRNA-seq, ATAC-seq, etc.) training in T-cell biology and/or neurobiology will be a plus.

Candidates should also have strong laboratory and analytical skills as demonstrated by a strong track record of relevant first-author publications (postdoc) or co-authored publications (technician) in well-respected journals. Outstanding communication skills in English are essential for this position. Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong technical expertise, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to lead laboratory operations in a dynamic, translational research environment.

Must possess flexibility, mobility, and strength to store and access research samples, reagents, and supplies. Needs to have the physical ability to perform many varied tasks; i.e., fine motor skills, excellent hand-eye coordination, and a high level of concentration to do challenging techniques.

Not Applicable.

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.