Research Specialist

Position Details

Position Information

Job Title Research Specialist Position Number 958753 Vacancy Open to All Candidates Time-Limited No Department Homepage https://biochemistry-molecularbiology.ecu.edu/ Advertising Department BIOCHEMISTRY&MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Division ECU Health/BSOM Classification Title 12502 Research Specialist Competency Level 1 - Contributing Working Title Research Specialist Number of Vacancies 1 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) 1.000 Full Time or Part Time Full Time Recruitment Range $45,454 - $66,812 Anticipated Hiring Range $45,454 - $46,818 Salary Grade Equivalency MH14 Work Schedule M-F Work Hours 8am-5pm Position Location (City) Greenville Job Category Staff - Professional Organizational Unit Overview

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology consists of 11 full-time faculty members, including some fixed-term faculty and one school administrator, 6 full-time Research Specialists, 2 full-time office Administrators, and 7 graduate students.

The department teaches Biochemistry to medical and dental students and provides instruction in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology to graduate students from multiple departments. A wide variety of specialized courses for graduate students is also taught. The educational objective of the department is to provide a sound basic foundation for students from various disciplines. The graduate program through the Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences with a Concentration in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is broadly based to prepare students for careers in academics, research, government, industry, and medicine.

In addition to their teaching duties, each of the faculty members has a research laboratory and is expected to perform research in their area of expertise.

Job Duties

The Research Specialist will support ongoing research in the Principal Investigator's laboratory, with a primary focus on biochemical and microbiological studies related to protein function in bacterial systems. The position involves independent execution of experiments, data analysis, collaboration with lab members, and maintenance of laboratory operations.

Research related to the PI's laboratory

• Conduct protein expression, purification, and biochemical characterization experiments using established and emerging protocols.
• Perform experiments involving bacterial systems, including strain handling, culture, and downstream biochemical or molecular analyses.
• Apply knowledge of scientific principles to modify protocols in response to experimental outcomes, literature findings, or changing research goals, with limited supervision.
• Operate and maintain specialized laboratory instrumentation and equipment relevant to protein and biochemical research.
• Review and interpret scientific literature to assist in experimental design, method development, and troubleshooting.
• Identify appropriate data to collect, ensure accurate documentation, and maintain detailed laboratory records.
• Collaborate with the PI and other laboratory members to plan experiments, analyze results, and refine research approaches.
• Assist with the preparation of research summaries, reports, figures, and, when requested, materials for manuscripts, grant applications, and progress reports.

Laboratory maintenance and administration

• Assist with inventory management and maintenance of laboratory equipment, supplies, and reagents associated with current and completed projects.
• Order reagents and consumables; track usage to support budgeting and resource planning.
• Conduct required regulatory and compliance activities, including chemical inventory management and adherence to laboratory safety guidelines.
• Prepare buffers, media, and other common laboratory reagents.
• Participate in routine laboratory upkeep, including cleaning, dishwashing, and basic instrument maintenance.
• Maintain organized records related to supplies, equipment, and standard operating procedures.

Minimum Education/Experience

Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; four year degree; or an equivalent combination of training and/or related experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

License or Certification required by statute or regulation

None

Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education

• Experience in a BSL2 laboratory with protein expression and purification and/or biochemical analysis (can include undergraduate research or post-baccalaureate research experience)
• Prior experience working with protein purification techniques, bacterial systems, and biochemical and biophysical analysis of proteins in a research laboratory setting. Experience studying bacterial surface-associated or biofilm-related proteins is encouraged.
• Radiation safety training and experience working with radioactive materials for biochemical experiments (e.g., 32P).
• Familiarity with Vibrio species or similar aquatic or environmental bacteria, especially
• Experience using scientific literature to inform experimental design and troubleshooting

License or Certification required by the Department

None

Special Instructions to Applicant

• Please ensure your full range of knowledge, skills, abilities, experience and education are listed on your application. Do not write 'see resume' on your application when completing the job duties section.
• If you answer the questions at the end of the application, please ensure your application reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities and experiences to support your answers (see job duties section of previous employment).
• Failure to answer the questions at the end of the application will not preclude your application from being considered but may result in your application not receiving full consideration of your knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Job Open Date 06/08/2026 Job Close Date - Positions will be posted until 11:59 p.m. EST on this date; If no closing date is indicated, the position will be posted until filled and may close at any time after the recruitment has been completed. 06/16/2026 Open Until Filled No Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting https://ecu.peopleadmin.com/postings/94230 Alternate option

If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on budget, UNC salary administration, and/or candidate qualifications.

Nondiscrimination Statement

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU 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. If highest degree earned is from an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, final candidates are required to have their degree validated as equivalent to the degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S.

Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Please indicate where you learned about this job vacancy.

• LinkedIn

• Chronicle of Higher Education

• CareerBuilder

• Greenville Daily Reflector

• Raleigh News & Observer

• HigherEdJobs.com

• InsideHigherEd.com

• Monster.com

• Indeed

• ECU Website

• Other

• • Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship for employment?

• Yes

• No

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

Optional Documents

• Curriculum Vitae/Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of References