Clinical Research Core Nurse

Inside Higher Ed; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 39,000 - 42,281; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid leave

Professional training opportunities

Job summary

A leading research institution is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse to provide critical support for clinical studies in Kannapolis, NC. The role involves performing specialized medical procedures, managing IVs, and ensuring accurate data collection. Ideal candidates should possess a valid Nursing license in North Carolina and demonstrate strong communication skills. Opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary team in a cutting-edge research facility. Flexible scheduling may be required, including some weekends.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice as a Practical Nurse in the State of North Carolina.
• Experience with placing and managing IVs preferred but training is available.
• Ability to adjust priorities in a high-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Support research operations and clinical studies.
• Perform specialized medical procedures including IV management.
• Ensure accurate data collection and specimen processing.

Skills

IV placement and management

Phlebotomy skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Licensed to practice as a Practical Nurse in North Carolina

Job description

Job Details

Career Area: Health Professional (Physician/Nurse/Other)

Department: Nutrition Research Institute-633300

Internal Recruitment: No

Posting Open Date: 01/13/2026

Application Deadline: 01/26/2026

Position Type: Permanent Staff (SHRA)

Position Title: Licensed Practical Nurse - Advanced

Salary Grade Equivalent: MH08 / GN09

Working Title: Clinical Research Core Nurse

Position Number: 20056690

Vacancy ID: P020736

Employment Status: Part-Time Time-Limited, 3 Years, 30 Hours per Week

Work Schedule: Typically, work hours will be approximately 7:30 am‑3 :00 pm Monday‑Thursday with possible early morning, evening, and some Saturday hours (weekends occasionally) to be shared across team members.

Location: Kannapolis, NC, North Carolina, US

Hiring Range: $39,000‑$42,281 (Prorated annual salary for 0.75 FTE)

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

Be a Tar Heel!

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) is a world‑renowned center and a global leader in precision nutrition research. Its on‑site facilities include multiple wet labs, clinical facilities, a vivarium, and a metabolic chamber. Located approximately two hours from UNC‑Chapel Hill, the NRI resides on the North Carolina Research Campus 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 a music hall of fame. It is also a short drive to Charlotte and Winston‑Salem/Greensboro. The NRI offers full‑time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life, and retirement plans along with additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development, and lifelong learning are also available.

Primary Purpose Of Organizational Unit

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 Summary

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

The Clinical Research Core (CRC) provides human nutrition research investigators with multidisciplinary services and equipment in one location complete with examination rooms and equipment, pharmacy, phlebotomy laboratory, specimen laboratory, and furnished consultation rooms. This centralized facility provides investigators with a coordinated, quality‑controlled, and quality‑assured facility for the procurement, processing, storage, analysis and distribution of biologic specimens for basic, translational, and clinical research studies. Additionally, the CRC offers a metabolic kitchen specifically designed to support nutrition research as well as state‑of‑the‑art resources for investigators through human metabolism and body composition assessments, clinical laboratory services, and preparation and delivery of precisely designed meals for study participants.

Working under the general supervision of the CRC Manager, the CRC Nurse plays a critical role in supporting the research operation of the CRC and any clinical studies that utilize the services provided by the core. This position performs specialized medical procedures including IV management; operates specialized research equipment such as metabolic cart systems, Fibroscan devices, DXA systems, and Tanita body composition scales; and ensures accurate data collection and specimen processing. This position is expected to use considerable judgement and anticipate participant needs, especially when performing specialized procedures. This position is also responsible for the procurement, preparation, and distribution of biospecimens (blood, urine, saliva, and other specimens) following policies and procedures for collection, storage, processing, distribution, and quality control as set up by the CRC. Communication with principal investigators is also needed to ensure that biospecimens are collected according to specific criteria of a research study. This position will be responsible for ensuring informed consent was obtained, required registrations are in place, and the procurement and processing of samples follows HIPAA and established policies associated with responsible procurement and handling of human specimens. The CRC Nurse communicates with study participants for purposes of recruitment, retention, and scheduling. This role also involves collecting study measurements and providing instructions to study participants. This position assists with other study activities to ensure the successful completion of the study aims. Specific duties will vary depending on the needs of the study and may be subject to change over the course of the study.

Our goal is to work together as a cohesive team to achieve research aims. Additional benefits associated with this position include the opportunity to join a research team that highly values professional development. 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 in Kannapolis, NC.

Minimum Education And Experience Requirements

Licensed to practice as a Practical Nurse in the State of North Carolina.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience

N/A

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience

• Experience with and comfortable in placing, assessing, and managing IVs. If there is no IV experience, we are willing to train individuals with excellent phlebotomy skills
• Flexible scheduling with potential for early morning, evening, and some Saturday hours (weekends occasionally) to be shared across team members
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly adjust priorities in a high‑paced environment while maintaining participant safety, confidentiality, and data quality
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and within a team to achieve research aims
• Good written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with individuals of diverse backgrounds

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

• Ability to sit/ stand for extended periods of times
• Able to move up to 50 lbs. with or without reasonable accommodations
• Exposure to bloodborne pathogens

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Position/Schedule Requirements

Evening work occasionally, Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens, Laboratory, Patient care involved, Weekend work occasionally

Benefits (for full‑time employees)

Full‑time employees receive 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. Professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development, and lifelong learning are also available.