Lead Research Assistant

40 hours/week, varying schedule.

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) is a world-renowned center and a global leader in precision nutrition research. Our on-site facilities include multiple wet labs and clinical facilities as well as a vivarium and a metabolic chamber. Approximately two hours from UNC-Chapel Hill, the NRI is located on the beautiful North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) in Kannapolis, NC, a mid-size city with a small-town feel. The institute is within walking distance of the city center which includes shops, restaurants, a minor-league ballpark, theater, and music hall of fame. We are also a short drive to Charlotte and Winston-Salem/Greensboro. The NRI offers programs that support a healthy work/life balance. We also offer professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development, and lifelong learning.

Learning how people can eat uniquely!

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute ( NRI) is an internationally recognized center conducting innovative basic and translational science to establish how individual differences in nutrient requirements and responses to diet affect our nutritional needs. Our research contributes to the prevention and mitigation of chronic disease across the lifespan from periconception through aging.

Our Mission is to lead precision nutrition research through understanding how genetics and environment affect an individual's requirements for and responses to nutrients.

NRI principal investigators hold faculty appointments in the departments of Nutrition and Psychology at UNC Chapel Hill. Their research interrogates nutrient roles in disease prevention, disease risk factors, and the impact of gene-environment and gene-nutrient interactions.

The NRI promotes excellence in nutrition knowledge, teaching, and research. We seek and encourage a diversity of experiences and ideas and provide the tools and flexibility for all employees to achieve success and excellence within their chosen occupations and aspirations.

We are committed to open dialogue, careful listening, becoming educated about the systems that hinder or prevent success, and taking action to ensure that all are equally acknowledged for their contributions and equally reap the benefits of being part of our community.

Our Vision is to use scientific discovery to ensure optimal health through individualized nutrition.

Everyone who works at the NRI supports this hopeful vision. Working at the NRI means doing good for the world. Join us!

The NRI and this position are in Kannapolis, NC, in the Charlotte region.

Position Title: Lead Research Assistant

NOTE: This position is located in Kannapolis, NC, appx. 2 hours from UNC's main campus.

Chapel Hill received funding to establish both a targeted Health Care Provider Organization ( HPO) for the All of Us (AoU) Research Program and a Clinical Center ( UNC-CC) site for the Nutrition for Precision Health study ( NPH). All of Us is a research program funded by NIH to build one of the most diverse health databases in history. Nutrition for Precision Health, powered by the All of Us Research Program is a new initiative with the goal of developing algorithms that predict individual responses to food and dietary patterns. The NPH Consortium consists of 12 awardees across the US with whom UNC is partnering to implement data collection and analysis. The UNC-CC includes two recruitment/clinical data collection locations, one in Chapel Hill, NC, ( UNC-CH), and one in Kannapolis, NC, located at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute ( NRI).

Working under the general supervision of the Research Project Manager and the Site Coordinator, this Lead Research Assistant will be responsible for a variety of duties. Specific duties will vary depending on the needs of the study. As part of a team of research assistants, this position will also take on key responsibilities to ensure excellent data quality and compliance with established protocols. This position requires expertise in detailed protocol mastery to support development and implementation of routine study protocol reviews with the NPH and All of Us team across both sites. This position will perform the primary and secondary duties as noted below, but these may be subject to change over the course of the study.

Primary responsibilities:
* Communication with study participants for purposes of recruitment, retention, and scheduling
* Data collection including obtaining informed consent, biospecimen collection, study measurements and providing instructions to study participants
* Assist with participant meal pick-up for the controlled feeding study
* Assist with other study activities to ensure the successful completion of the study aims
* Processing and shipping of biological specimens (blood, urine, saliva, and other specimens)
* Attendance at community events for recruiting and outreach

Secondary responsibilities
* Study device software and hardware management
* Software system troubleshooting and support
* Identification of staff protocol adherence challenge; development and implementation of bi-monthly protocol review sessions
* Quality assurance support for scheduling and documentation
* Participant and prospective participant educational and promotional material management
* Coordination and communication with external services for biological specimens
* Chapel Hill site emergency in person support

Duties may vary depending on the needs of the study.

Our goal is to work together as a cohesive team to ensure successful implementation of the study protocols.

We will work with the selected candidate to help build the skills and experiences desired to further their individual career goals.

Due to the requirements of this position, we anticipate work will be completed on site. The primary location for this position is at the Nutrition Research Institute in Kannapolis with occasional support to our other data collection site in Chapel Hill, as well as occasional travel to recruiting/outreach events.

Bachelor's degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

- Experience consenting and educating study participants
- Experience with sample processing techniques involving biospecimens such as blood, urine, saliva, stool, hair, and toenails
- Demonstrated ability to navigate and train others on multiple technological systems including but not limited to REDCap, HealthPro, ASA24, Actilife, and the Microsoft Office programs with particular expertise in Microsoft Excel formulas
- Ability to guide new team members through training protocols
- Ability to work independently and effectively in precise time-controlled situations with flexible approach to problem solving
- Exceptional verbal communication skills with significant experience in group presentations
- Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize and handle competing demands and varied work tasks
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule, often including early mornings, occasional weekend and/or evening hours; Please note: This role requires a higher level of scheduling flexibility than other team positions.
- Willingness to travel to Chapel Hill site to support emergency coverage when needed
- CITI Training - Human Subjects Protections ( HSP) and Good Clinical Practice ( GCP)

Certified Phlebotomy Technician ( CPT) training/experience or willing to learn

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.