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_NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering invites applications for a full-time Research Associate position. The position will have an academic appointment in Biomedical Engineering and will participate in a NIH-funded research program to develop a hydrogel system for cell therapies for various indications including treatment of glioblastoma multiforme ( GBM), regenerative medicine and 3D bioprinting utilizing formulation and polymer chemistry, hydrogel systems, stem cell delivery, in vitro model systems, and in vivo studies in relevant models for safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacy. The focus of this position will be on the formulation development and optimization combined with in vitro and in vivo characterization and testing. Additionally, position will require scientific data analysis, reporting and manuscript writing. A strong background in biomedical engineering, biochemistry, tissue engineering, 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, 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.

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.

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 candidate should 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 preferred candidate should have demonstrated prior project leadership and excellent communication and verbal skills to lead and execute high-level research projects.Outstanding work ethics and demonstrated dedication to scientific advances and research excellence is preferred. Prior industry experience in the fields of biomedical engineering, product development, and translational research is preferred.

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.