Research Assistant

Research Assistant

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 - 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 - Position Title: 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 Research Program and a Clinical Center (UNC-CC) site for the first ancillary study, Nutrition for Precision Health (NPH). All of Us is a unique 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 to develop 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). Come join our team as we begin work on these innovative studies. Working under the general supervision of the Research Project Manager and the Site Coordinator, this Research Assistant will be responsible for a variety of duties. Specific duties will vary depending on the needs of the study. When the study is fully up and running, we anticipate the primary and secondary duties as noted below, but these may be subject to change over the course of the study.

Primary

• 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 other study activities to ensure the successful completion of the study aims

Secondary

• Processing and shipping of biological specimens (blood, urine, saliva, and other specimens)

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

Management Preferences - Prior research experience not required, but must be willing to implement study protocols and procedures according to Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Bilingual in English and Spanish. Phlebotomy skills or willing to learn.