Lead Research Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Posting Information
Posting Information
Department
Nutrition Research Institute-633300
Career Area
Research Professionals
Is this an internal only recruitment?
No
Posting Open Date
09/03/2026
Application Deadline
09/11/2026
Position Type
Permanent Staff (SHRA)
Position Title
Soc/Clin Research Assistant - Journey
Salary Grade Equivalent
NC09 / GN08
Working Title
Lead Research Assistant - Tate Lab
Position Number
20068263
Vacancy ID
P021351
Full-time/Part-time Permanent/Time-Limited
Full-Time Time-Limited
If time-limited, estimated duration of appointment
One year
Hours per week
40
Work Schedule
Must be able to work a flexible work schedule as needed, including early morning/evening occasionally, and some Saturday hours (weekends occasionally).
Work Location
KANNAPOLIS, NC
Position Location
North Carolina, US
Hiring Range
$55,000 - $60,000
Pay Band Information
To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.
Notice to Applicants
This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship.
Position Summary Information
Be a Tar Heel!
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.
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, NC region.
Position Summary
NOTE: This position is located in Kannapolis, NC, approximately 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 work on these innovative studies. Working under the general supervision of the Research Project Managers and Coordinators, this Lead Research Assistant will be responsible for a variety of technical project support duties. Specific duties will vary depending on the needs of the study. 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
* Processing and shipping of biological specimens (blood, urine, saliva, and other specimens)
* 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
* Assist with participant meal pick-up for the controlled feeding study
* Attendance at community events for recruiting and outreach
Secondary
* Study device software and hardware management
* Software system troubleshooting and support
* Identification of staff protocol adherence challenge; development and implementation of bi-monthly protocol review sessions
* Quality assurance support for scheduling and documentation
* Participant and prospective participant educational and promotional material management
* Coordination and communication with external services for biological specimens
* Chapel Hill site emergency in person support
* Phlebotomy support as needed
Our goal is to work together as a cohesive team to ensure successful implementation of the study protocols.
Additional benefits associated with this position include the opportunity to join a research team that highly values professional development. We will work with the selected candidate to help build the skills and experiences desired to further their individual career goals.
Due to the requirements of this position, we anticipate work will be completed on site. The primary location for this position is at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute in Kannapolis, NC with the possibility of providing some support to our other data collection site in Chapel Hill.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor's degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Management Preferences
* Prior research experience not required, but must be willing to implement study protocols and procedures according to Good Clinical Practice guidelines
* Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) training/experience or willing to learn a plus
* Food service training beneficial
* Bilingual (Spanish) candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
Required Licenses/Certifications
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.
Position/Schedule Requirements
Special Instructions
Quick Link
https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/324929
Contact Information
Office of Human Resources Contact Information
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.
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.