Research Technician

Posting Information

Posting Information
Department
Center for Molecular Medicine - 428001

Career Area
Research Professionals

Posting Open Date
09/17/2026

Application Deadline
10/16/2026

Position Type
Temporary Staff (SHRA)

Position Title
Research Technician

Position Number
20078680

Vacancy ID
S028078

Full-time/Part-time
Full-Time Temporary

Hours per week
40

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday; 40 hours per week

Position Location
North Carolina, US

Hiring Range
$25.00 - $34.96 per hour

Proposed Start Date

Estimated Duration of Appointment
6 months or longer

Position Information
Be a Tar Heel!
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 that include numerous retail and restaurant discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates for performing arts events.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
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.

Position Summary
This position will serve as a Research Technician within the Gene Therapy Center in UNC's School of Medicine in the lab of Dr. Sara Powell. The Research Technician will be responsible for:

1. Experimental Execution & Data Collection
* Study Protocol Adherence: Execute complex in vivo studies according to approved Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols, ensuring all procedures are performed exactly as specified.
* Dosing & Administration: Perform administration of rAAV vectors to animals models using various routes (e.g. IV, IP, SC, or IM).
* Physiological Monitoring: Conduct longitudinal assessments, including body weight tracking, clinical scoring, and behavioral observations.
* Sample Processing: Execute perfusion, necropsy and tissue collection procedures with technical proficiency, ensuring proper preparations for downstream analysis ( tissue sectioning, DNARNA isolation).

2. Animal Welfare & Regulatory Compliance
* Clinical Assessment: Perform daily health checks to monitor for signs of distress, morbidity, or pain, ensuring immediate reporting and intervention according to the study's humane endpoints.
* Husbandry Standards: Maintain rigorous environmental controls (e.g., temperature, humidity, lighting, and cage sanitation) in accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
* Order animals.
* Record Keeping: Maintain meticulous, real-time records of all animal activities, including surgery logs, treatment administration, and adverse event reports to ensure audit readiness.

3. Technical & Laboratory Operations
* Instrumentation: As needed, utilize instruments to process animal tissue for analysis (e.g. vibratome and ddPCR).
* Inventory Oversight: Manage stocks of specialized supplies, including anesthetics, surgical consumables, and study-specific reagents, ensuring quality control and appropriate expiration tracking.
* Sterile Technique: Maintain high standards of aseptic technique for all surgical procedures to prevent cross-contamination or infection.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

Management Preferences

• Experience establishing or managing animal models, particularly rat and mouse models, for various genetic disorders
• Skilled in performing complex animal procedures, including necropsy, specimen collection, pharmacokinetic sample collection or behavioral scoring, while maintaining compliance with institutional, regulatory, or animal care protocols
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced research environment

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions

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Posting Contact Information
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Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
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.