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.
Primary Purpose Of Organizational Unit
Created in 1987, the University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center ( UNC IPRC ) is one of the nation’s leading university-based injury and violence prevention research centers. IPRC’s mission is to build the field of injury and violence prevention through interdisciplinary scholarly research, and by training the next generation of injury prevention researchers and practitioners. UNC IPRC is one of the nine active centers in the Centers for Disease Control’s ( CDC ) Injury Control Research Center ( ICRC ) program, and one of the only two research centers to be continuously-funded as a CDC ICRC since the inception of the ICRC program.
UNC IPRC is internationally known for the high quality of its interdisciplinary research and for developing innovative research methodologies. The Center conducts a wide range of research studies, with the ultimate goal of advancing the practice-relevant knowledge base for injury/violence prevention. UNC IPRC’s staff and core faculty serve as a trusted source of expert knowledge on injury/violence prevention science. The Center supports several student-led research consortiums on campus, and hosts an Injury and Violence Prevention Fellowship program.
Additionally, to ensure that science on injury/violence prevention is rapidly translated into measurable and effective injury prevention actions, UNC IPRC also conducts an extensive set of community-based training and outreach activities. Many of our community-based activities are planned and implemented in collaboration with partners such as the Injury and Violence Prevention Branch ( IVPB ) of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Through its partnerships with IVPB and others, UNC IPRC plays a long-term leadership role in catalyzing evidence-based injury prevention activities through training and outreach to professional, governmental, and public groups.
Position Summary
The Research Associate will work in a specialized laboratory section focused on controlled substance drug checking. They will be responsible for following standardized protocols for analyzing street drugs using infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, while assisting with the interpretation of complex data and contributing to methods development. This position will carry out collaborative research and train new undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral lab members in testing for a variety of substances.
Role
The primary role (80%) is to apply advanced knowledge of chemistry principles, methods, procedures, and techniques to develop, conduct, and evaluate complex qualitative chemical analyses for a variety of substances. This includes:
Performing/checking complex and advanced work in both standardized and non-standardized testing
Evaluate new equipment, procedures, and developments in the field
Create chemical libraries to identify constituents of unregulated drugs
Function as technical expert for public health team members
Prepare training documents to assist other academic labs in conducting public health drug checking
This work requires strong knowledge of and demonstrated proficiency in using FTIR and GCMS and/or LCMS for the analysis of unregulated drug samples.
The second role (20%) is assisting the training of new undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral lab members in laboratory methods and computational tasks. Share expertise in both formal (professional conference) and informal situations (group meeting). Assist in general lab troubleshooting and development of new research strategies.
Minimum Education And Experience Requirements
Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience
The Research Associate will have the following essential competencies:
Recent experience working in a laboratory that focuses on problems of compelling biological importance.
Demonstrated ability to work with an elevated level of independence, to design and troubleshoot new experiments, to solve experimental problems independently, and to be able to relate work to the larger big-picture laboratory context.
Knowledge of forensic chemistry methods and instrumentation.
Ability to perform advanced spectral analysis using multiple reference libraries.
Experience working with controlled substance reference standards, complying with federal and state regulations.
Familiarity with principles of harm reduction and public health approaches to reducing drug-related harms.
Ability to interact constructively with diverse individuals with recent experience in training or teaching laboratory personnel.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience
Master’s Degree or above in Analytic Chemistry, Forensic Biochemistry or a related life science with a minimum of 5 years work experience in forensic laboratory or Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology or a related life science with a minimum of 10 years work experience
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Ability to work occasional long days, as research work requires.
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.
Special Instructions
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/280449
Posting Contact Information
Department Contact Name and Title Trent Hopper, HR Consultant
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 [email protected]
Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Industries
Higher Education
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