About the Department

The North Carolina State University Plants for Human Health Institute (PHHI) supports research,teaching, and extension efforts aimed at improving human health through plant-based discoveries and innovations. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, PHHI advances innovations in nutrition, agriculture, and biotechnology to promote healthier communities.

Essential Job Duties

The Komarnytsky Lab, part of the Plants for Human Health Institute and Department of Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences, has developed an integrated translational pipeline linking molecular insights from cell culture and animal models to physiological outcomes in clinical settings, with special focus on metabolic resilience, pharmacogenomics, optimized physical performance, and innovative botanical supplementation strategies.

The clinical research program includes the Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) unit that supports mechanistic and intervention clinical studies evaluating exercise- and obesity-induced immune dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The HPL unit also facilitates collaborative studies in metabolic, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular health, advancing nutrition and botanical intervention research through integrated physiological assessments and translational clinical approaches.

The Research Technician will provide vital, hands-on support to the clinical research program, contributing to both clinical and laboratory investigations. This position is integral to the precise execution of the HPL clinical trials, including participant screening and recruitment, clinical assessments, sample processing, biomarker analysis, cell culture, and data management to ensure high-quality, reproducible research outcomes.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Preparing, calibrating, and operating clinical research equipment (e.g., metabolic carts, treadmills, cycle ergometers, body composition analyzers)
• Performing standardized procedures and protocols to support clinical studies
• Collecting and processing biological samples (e.g., blood, plasma, urine, stool, saliva) using standardized research protocols
• Processing, collecting, culturing, and cryopreserving cells or tissue samples under sterile conditions
• Collecting, recording, and tracking clinical study data
• Performing biochemical and ELISA assays for chemical and biomarker quantification
• Screening, recruiting, and scheduling participants; obtaining informed consent; and conducting study visits
• Maintaining operational readiness, including stocking clinical supplies, monitoring inventory, and coordinating equipment service logs
• Ensuring adherence to University, local, state, and federal regulations, policies, and protocols

This position is based in Kannapolis, NC.