Research Specialist-Contributing

East Carolina University; Greenville (NC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, is seeking a Research Specialist-Contributing to support a dynamic physiology lab. You will plan, conduct, and analyze experiments, train students, and assist in grant preparation under the PI's supervision.

This full-time position features a Monday–Friday schedule (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) and opportunities for professional development within ECU Health/BSOM while benefiting from ECU's comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience performing laboratory research including RNA/protein extraction, western blotting, PCR, histology, microscopy, or other biochemical assays.
• Working knowledge of data collection, analysis, and statistical procedures.

Responsibilities

• Design, conduct, analyze, and validate animal and laboratory research studies.
• Train personnel, supervise interns, and communicate findings.
• Manage laboratory supplies, equipment, safety, compliance, and SOPs.
• Support ordering, equipment, storage, and asset inventory for the department.

Skills

Laboratory research

Data collection

Supervision skills

Experimental planning

Education

Bachelor's degree (related field)

Tools

Western blotting

PCR

Immunohistochemistry

Microscopy

Job description

Position Details

• Job Title: Research Specialist-Contributing
• Position Number: 002308
• Vacancy Open to: All Candidates
• Time-Limited: Yes
• Department Homepage: https://physiology.ecu.edu/
• Advertising Department: PHYSIOLOGY
• Division: ECU Health/BSOM
• Classification Title: 12502 Research Specialist
• Competency Level: 1 - Contributing
• Working Title: Research Specialist - Contributing
• Number of Vacancies: 1
• Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.000
• Full Time or Part Time: Full Time
• Recruitment Range: $45,454 - $66,812
• Anticipated Hiring Range: $45,900 - $51,000
• Salary Grade Equivalency: MH14
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• Work Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Position Location (City): Greenville
• Job Category: Staff

Be a Pirate!

East Carolina University (ECU) is consistently ranked among the nation's top public universities for its commitment to research, innovation, social mobility, and public service. Classified as a R1 institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, ECU is among the top 5% of research universities in the United States, an elite designation reflecting the highest levels of research activity, funding, and doctoral output.

Founded in 1907, ECU is a public, four-year university located in Greenville, N.C., which is widely regarded as the cultural, educational, economic, and medical hub of eastern North Carolina. Through education, research, healthcare, community engagement, athletics, cultural enrichment, and service, ECU enhances the quality of life for its students, the state and communities around the world. It is a great place to work, teach, and learn.

ECU's commitment to impactful scholarship is further demonstrated through its repeated Carnegie Community Engagement Classification (2010, 2015, 2024), as well as its 2024 designation as a Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose institution. These distinctions recognize the university's leadership in translating research into meaningful community partnerships and measurable societal benefits.

The university supports its workforce through a wide range of professional development opportunities designed to foster career growth and skill advancement. Eligible employees also benefit from a comprehensive benefits package that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

Academic Affairs, led by the Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, comprises the university's colleges, schools and libraries, along with other academic support and administrative units. Academic Affairs works collaboratively to strengthen ECU's culture of academic excellence in line with our mission to be a national model for student success, public service and regional transformation.

The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University is composed of departments that function to increase the supply of primary care physicians to serve the state; improve the health and well-being of the region; and train physicians who will meet the healthcare needs of the state. The ECU Brody School of Medicine is aligned with ECU Health as a clinically integrated academic healthcare organization. This integration allows the two organizations to provide efficient, effective, and high-quality care to eastern North Carolina residents. For more information, visit ECUHealth.org.

The Department of Physiology is dedicated to advancing the understanding of physiology through excellence in education of medical and graduate students; to perform innovative and groundbreaking research; and to contribute to the translation of scientific progress into clinical practice.

Primary Purpose of Position

The primary purpose of the position job is to assist in the management of a scientific research laboratory within the Department of Physiology. Reporting to the Principal Investigator, this position plans, prioritizes, schedules, conducts, and analyzes various experiments in a wide variety of research projects. Additionally, the position will compile and evaluate data and participate in the preparation of extramural grant applications and written and oral research reports. This position will supervise and participate in the training of undergraduate and graduate students and other research technicians. The position will test and optimize new research procedures, conduct literature reviews, and evaluate this information to establish new techniques and to gather new theoretical information to advance our research efforts. The position will manage the acquisition and maintenance of research equipment and materials.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, conduct, analyze, and validate animal and laboratory research studies (40%)
• Train personnel, oversee research activities, coordinate interns, and communicate findings (20%)
• Manage laboratory supplies, equipment, safety, compliance, and standard operating procedures (20%)
• Support departmental ordering, equipment, storage, maintenance, and asset inventory (20%)

Minimum Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

License or Certification required by statute or regulation

None

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Experience performing laboratory research including RNA/protein extraction, western blotting, PCR, histology, microscopy, or other biochemical assays
• Experience with basic cellular and molecular concepts, genotyping, animal colony maintenance, data collection and tabulation, quantitative mathematical skills
• Working knowledge of immunohistochemical procedures, data analyses, and statistical procedures

License or Certification required by the Department

None

Job Open Date

10/09/2026

Job Close Date - Positions will be posted until 11:59 p.m. EST on this date; If no closing date is indicated, the position will be posted until filled and may close at any time after the recruitment has been completed.

10/16/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting

https://ecu.peopleadmin.com/postings/97608

Alternate option

If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on budget, UNC salary administration, and/or candidate qualifications.

Nondiscrimination Statement

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at [phone] (Voice/TTY) or [e-mail].

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. If highest degree earned is from an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, final candidates are required to have their degree validated as equivalent to the degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S.

Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at [phone] or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to [e-mail]. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.