Research Specialist

Posting Details

Vacancy Number

S01603

Position Title

Research Specialist

Working Title

Research Specialist

Competency Level

Journey

Dept/School

Biology & Marine Biology - 32310

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The Biology and Marine Biology Department supports both an excellent undergraduate program, with an emphasis on hands-on involvement of undergraduates in research and other activities, as well as nationally recognized Master’s Programs. We also have a Ph.D. in Marine Biology that takes advantage of the wide array of local coastal and offshore habitats and the facilities of the Center for Marine Science, located 6 miles from the main university campus. We have an active faculty involved in a variety of research interests including molecular biology and systematics, coastal and estuarine ecology, invertebrate and vertebrate biology, and environmental biology.

Modern Biology increasingly impacts the non-scientific world, facilitating solutions to technological, environmental, ethical, philosophical and political issues that are important to society. The Department of Biology and Marine Biology at UNCW strives to train the next generation of scientists and educators, and prepare all students to make sound judgments based on a solid foundation of biological principles. The department provides an environment in which excellent teaching coupled with diverse research opportunities encourage our faculty to become leaders in their discipline.

Our teaching emphasizes current theories of biological science, knowledge of basic investigative skills, and methods of critical inquiry. Our research programs, in both applied and basic aspects of discovery, value investigations of biological phenomena that impact the quality of life in our region and beyond. We lend our professional expertise to all endeavors that work for the improvement of the human condition and our environment. We believe the importance of modern biological principles must transcend the university classroom and enable our students to contribute as global citizens.

The department has an excellent record of faculty development and mentorship, and is committed to assisting new faculty to succeed. The department is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the academic community (see https://uncw.edu/bio/sand_home.html). Graduate curricula in the department include M.S. programs in Biology and Marine Biology, as well as a Ph.D. program in Marine Biology. Excellent support for research is provided in departmental facilities on campus (http://www.uncw.edu/bio/) and at the CREST Research Park (http://uncw.edu/ CREST /), including the Center for Marine Science, Shellfish Research Hatchery, and Marine Biotechnology Center.

College

College of Arts and Sciences Admin - 32000 College

College/School Information

The College of Arts and Sciences is UNCW’s largest academic unit and awards approximately two-thirds of the university’s academic credits. Ours is a comprehensive arts and sciences college comprising the arts, the humanities, the mathematical and natural sciences, and the social and behavioral sciences.

The College’s twenty-five units offer a variety of undergraduate majors leading to the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Fine Arts, the Bachelor of Music, and the Bachelor of Science. The College also offers a full complement of minors, including interdisciplinary minors such as Africana studies, Asian studies, Forensic studies, Latin America studies, Middle East & Islamic studies, Native-American studies, and Women’s and Gender studies, among others.
Applied learning is a hallmark of the student experience in the College of Arts and Sciences. Each of the College’s departments requires an applied learning experience as a part of the curriculum for its undergraduate majors. Examples include faculty-directed research, internships, service learning, and capstone courses and projects, all of which challenge students to integrate various strands of knowledge and to apply that knowledge to broader, real-world or real disciplinary situations. Through applied learning, students in the College gain direct hands-on experience with the skills of their major fields as an essential part of their preparation for life and career.

In addition to its undergraduate major and minor programs, the College is chiefly responsible for the curriculum that comprises the UNCW’s University Studies Program, through which all UNCW undergraduates gain a foundation in the liberal arts and develop the transferable skills essential for life in the twenty-first century. The College strives in its undergraduate programs and in its University Study offerings to nurture creative thinking, intellectual curiosity, diversity and inclusion, and academic integrity in students while providing them with a solid foundation of knowledge in their chosen fields. Upon completion of their undergraduate studies, College of Arts and Sciences students will have the necessary preparation for rewarding careers, advanced study, effective citizenship, and meaningful lives.

Graduate degrees awarded in the College of Arts and Sciences include the Master of Arts, the Master of Fine Arts, the Master of Public Administration, the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy (Marine Biology and Psychology). In addition, the nationally awarded Graduate Liberal Studies program offers a personalized curriculum of interdisciplinary study leading to the Master of Arts. Post-baccalaureate certificates in Applied Statistics, Environmental Studies, Forensic Science, Conflict Management and Resolution, Gender Studies and Hispanic Studies are available. Graduate programs in the College are designed to develop intellectual competence and to prepare the student for careers in business, industry, government, teaching or for further study at the doctoral level.

University Information

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and a community rich in diversity, inclusion and global perspectives.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to- BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

Location of Workplace

Main UNCW Campus

Brief Summary of Work for this Position

The Department of Biology and Marine Biology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington invites applications for a Microscopy Specialist. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the day-to-day running of the Richard M. Dillaman Bioimaging Facility in order to support undergraduate, graduate and faculty research, and applied learning across the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Research Specialist position requires a high level of competency in biological imaging and duties include training students, faculty, research associates and visiting scientists in microscopy techniques. Users receiving training will include individuals with various levels of technical expertise from a diversity of backgrounds. The ability to maintain and efficiently manage all microscopy equipment and associated resources of the facility is a critical responsibility for this role. The successful candidate will demonstrate collaborative and engaged partnerships with those being trained and be willing to contribute their theoretical and practical knowledge to support researchers in their extramurally funded research programs.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and one year directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and/or related experience
• Diplomas or degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions

Preferred education, professional skills and experience

• A Master’s degree or higher in relevant discipline
• 2+ years working in a research environment with various microscopy approaches
• Ability to collaborate and support researchers in their extramurally funded research programs through their theoretical and practical knowledge
• Ability to maintain and efficiently manage all infrastructure of the facility

Demonstrate experience and competency to train others in more than one of the following:

• Histology, specimen processing and sectioning including paraffin and cryo-preparation
• Wide field light microscopy, epifluorescence, Confocal microscopy, multidimensional imaging
• Digital image acquisition and analysis
• Scanning electron microscopy
• Transmission electron microscopy
• Laboratory health and safety
• Microscopy lab management

Required Certifications or licensure

No formal certifications in microscopy or laboratory management are required, although they are welcomed.

Recruitment Range

$48,153-$55,055

FTE

1.0 (40 hours per week)

Months Per Year

12 Months

Work Days

Monday - Friday occasional weekend and nights

Work Hours

8:00AM - 5:00PM

Type of Position

Permanent

Anticipated Ending Date if Time-Limited

Position Number

1280

Job Posting Date

01/27/2022

Posting Close Date

02/14/2022

Number of Openings

Single Incumbent

Special Notes to Applicants

Applications will be accepted until 11:59PM EST on February 14, 2022, the posting closing date. To apply, please complete the online application process available at https://jobs.uncw.edu/ and attach the following materials as an Adobe PDF document including:

• Cover letter – highlighting qualifications and experience and candidate’s fit for the position
• CV – detailing education, qualifications work experience, and relevant technical experience
• Statement of Diversity and Inclusion – a separate statement that addresses how the candidate’s cultural, experiential, or academic background contributes to building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment; see www.uncw.edu/bio/diversitystatement.html for further details

If needed, applicants may upload additional materials under the Other category.

Note that letters of application without the requested components will not meet the application requirements.

This position is being recruited at the Journey level. If no applicants apply who meet the required competency and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

EEO Statement

At the University of North Carolina at Wilmington ( UNCW ), our culture reflects our values of inclusion, diversity, globalization, ethics and integrity and innovation and we are committed to providing equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs. UNCW believes that embracing the unique contributions of our faculty, staff and students is critical to our success and paramount in being recognized for our global mindset.

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington 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.

External Link to Posting

https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/22839
Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vita
3. Statement of Diversity and Inclusion
4. List of 3 Professional References

Optional Documents

1. Other

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * How did you learn of this opportunity with UNCW? (2022)
   • UNCW Website
   • UNCW LinkedIn Page
   • UNCW Twitter Account
   • UNCW Employee Referral
   • UNCW Instagram Account (UNCW_jobs)
   • UNCW Job Alert
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • Diverse Issues in Higher Education
   • Glassdoor
   • Higher Ed Jobs
   • Hispanic Outlook
   • Indeed
   • Inside Higher Ed
   • North Carolina Job Network
   • Women in Higher Education
   • Craigslist
   • Other