Job Details

Posting Number: PG194722EP

Working Title: Research Associate

Anticipated Hiring Range: Commensurate with Experience ($55,000 - $62,000)

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

Job Location: Raleigh, NC

Department: Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry

About the Department

The Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry at NC State University conducts research in protein structure and function, metabolism in immune function and disease, and molecular basis of living chemical processes.

Essential Job Duties

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to join an ARPA-E-funded project focused on reducing nitrous oxide emissions from corn by integrating ancestral genetics and advanced nitrogen management.

This role centers on developing and deploying analytical approaches for Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) and Biological Denitrification Inhibition (BDI) to rapidly and effectively screen large panels of maize germplasm.

Primary Responsibilities:

Research (80%)

• Pipeline Development: Coordinate cross-laboratory efforts at NC State University to develop and optimize experimental pipelines for screening large varied panels for nitrogen efficiency traits.
• Sample & Resource Management: Collect data, gather soil and plant samples, perform biological extractions, and manage resource sharing among NC State laboratories and external collaborators.
• Genetic Mapping Collaboration: Collaborate closely with postdoctoral researchers to conduct QTL mapping and fine-mapping of BNI/BDI traits, identifying candidate regions and alleles across varied teosinte taxa.

Project Management (20%)

• Reporting & Compliance: Assist in the preparation of scientific and administrative quarterly reports to ensure compliance with project milestones and ARPA-E deliverables.
• Financial Administration: Manage project procurement and track budgets to ensure the efficient use of research funds.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in Plant Biology, Quantitative, Statistical, or Molecular Genetics, Microbiology, Plant Breeding, or a closely related scientific discipline.

Other Required Qualifications

• Research Experience: Practical experience in experimental design and plant phenotyping, alongside a strong background in quantitative, statistical, and/or molecular genetics.
• Computational Proficiency: Programming and scripting experience using R, Python, Bash, or similar languages for data analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Applied Phenotyping: Hands-on experience designing and executing experiments across varied environments—including greenhouses, controlled growth chambers, and field trials—specifically aimed at characterizing nitrogen efficiency traits.
• Collaborative Leadership: Proven experience managing or coordinating large-scale, cross-functional, or multi-institutional collaborative research efforts.
• Statistical Foundation: A strong fundamental understanding of statistical methodologies and advanced experimental design and analysis.