Gut Microbiome Research Associate (Metagenomics)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; North Carolina; On-site; USD 62,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking a Research Associate to support the Andermann Lab's gut microbiome studies in immunocompromised patients. The role involves laboratory work (DNA/RNA extraction, library prep) and data analysis (metagenomics, bioinformatics) under supervision.

Applicants should have a Master’s in Marine Sciences and Microbiology or related fields, strong English communication, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a multidisciplinary team at UNC.

Qualifications

• Experience with molecular biology and microbiology lab techniques including DNA and RNA extraction, PCR and qPCR, and preparation of next-generation sequencing libraries.
• Experience with shotgun metagenomic and/or 16S rRNA sequencing and the associated bioinformatic analysis.
• Proficiency with bioinformatics workflows for taxonomic profiling of microbial communities and detection of antimicrobial resistance genes, including work in a command-line (Unix/Linux) environment and a statistical or scripting language such as R or Python.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and to adapt, optimize, and troubleshoot experimental protocols, and to critically analyze and interpret complex datasets.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills in English, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary research team.

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory experiments for gut microbiome projects and sequencing work.
• Analyze metagenomic data and interpret results.
• Collaborate with the Lineberger Cancer Center and Infectious Diseases teams.
• Review literature and support data interpretation.

Skills

DNA/RNA extraction

PCR and qPCR

NGS library prep

Shotgun metagenomics

16S rRNA sequencing

bioinformatics analysis

Unix/Linux

R programming

Python

Data interpretation

Independent work

English communication

Time management

Collaborative teamwork

Education

Master’s in Marine Sciences & Microbiology

Tools

Unix/Linux

R

Python

Job description

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking a Research Associate to support the Andermann Lab's gut microbiome studies in immunocompromised patients. The role involves laboratory work (DNA/RNA extraction, library prep) and data analysis (metagenomics, bioinformatics) under supervision.

Applicants should have a Master’s in Marine Sciences and Microbiology or related fields, strong English communication, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a multidisciplinary team at UNC.