Research Assistant - Cheatham Lab

M-F, 8:00am-5:00pm, alternating weekends, occasional evenings

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

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) is a world-renowned center and a global leader in precision nutrition research. Our on-site facilities include multiple wet labs and clinical facilities as well as a vivarium and a metabolic chamber. Approximately two hours from UNC-Chapel Hill, the NRI is located on the beautiful North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) 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 music hall of fame. We are 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 and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance. We also offer professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development, and lifelong learning.

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.

The Research Assistant position is part of the Cheatham Laboratory, which investigates how nutrition improves infant, children, and elderly brain function. Specifically, this team studies the importance of nutrients for the development of memory and attention abilities. The Research Assistant will be responsible for identifying and recruiting study participants for research studies. This position will also run study sessions, collect and summarize data, maintain databases, and operate & maintain scientific equipment. IRB and HIPAA training will be provided.

Bachelor's degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

* Knowledge of developmental cognitive neuroscience research procedures
* Experience with developmental cognitive neuroscience techniques
* Ability to identify study populations and recruit participants, including infants, into ongoing studies
* Knowledge of the principles of informed consent
* Large database management skills
* Excellent attention to detail, organizational, and prioritization skills
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to quickly build rapport with families and to communicate effectively on the phone and in person with a wide variety of audiences
* Ability to quickly acquire contacts within community leadership (e.g. county and city leaders, medical professionals, pastors, and social service personnel) in order to facilitate recruiting efforts
* Ability to quickly familiarize self with the local metro area
* Reliable transportation to speaking engagements and to deliver study materials

* Familiarity with the EGI electrophysiology system
* Familiarity with elicited imitation protocols
* Previous experience in event-related potentials ( ERP) paradigms

Must be able to lift infants and toddlers (up to 30 pounds) and remain in one place for extended periods of time.

Not Applicable.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu

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

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.