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Plants for Human Health Institute

Job Openings

PHHI proudly employs research faculty, laboratory technicians, postdocs, senior scientists, Extension staff, administrative support professionals and more. Explore the current job openings here.

Prospective graduate students should contact faculty directly.

Research Scholar

Dr. Iorizzo’s lab at NC State University’s Plants for Human Health Institute is looking for a highly motivated Research Scholar that will design, and perform advanced genetic/genomic research studies with an emphasis on quality and health-protective traits, including enhanced texture, size, chemical composition, concentrations and profiles of phytoactive compounds. Crops of interest in this project will include blueberry and carrot.

Required education and experience:

  • Ph.D. in plant breeding and genetics or a related field, with at least 3 years of experience as a post-doc.
  • Strong background in quantitative genetics, (QTL and GWAS), QTL interaction, and prediction analysis, in diploid and polyploid plants is essential.
  • Must be familiar with high-throughput genotyping technologies, and QTL.
  • Experience in population genetic analysis (e.g. phylogenetic, PCA, structure, nucleotide diversity) and linkage map construction.
  • Proficiency to publish findings in well-recognized peer-reviewed journals.
  • Ability to manage more than one project in a rapid and smooth manner while being able to interact and communicate with research personnel from diverse disciplines.
  • Familiar with molecular biology techniques (DNA, RNA extraction, PCR).
  • Must demonstrate the ability to work independently and creatively.
  • Must have good communications skills, and be able to articulate clearly the scientific and technical needs in the field, as well as set clear goals, and work within an interdisciplinary team setting.
  • Ability to develop and publish manuscripts, grant proposals, and present research findings.

This position is located in Kannapolis, NC

Apply here: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/174099

Postdoctoral Research Scholar

The Postdoctoral Scientist will assist the Principal Investigator (Dr. Andrew Neilson) in the Plants for Human Health Institute by leading and conducting research, general laboratory management, and mentoring graduate students as appropriate. This will include conducting advanced independent and/or directed research with a focus on the interaction between plant-derived phytochemicals, the human microbiome, and nutrition/health.

Major research thrusts will involve 1) how phytochemicals are metabolized into microbial metabolites that may modulate the onset of metabolic syndrome, and 2) how individual genetic differences predict phytochemical efficacy for disease prevention, among others. The majority of work will be performed using 3 key research tools: 1) rodent models of nutrition/disease (including models of genetic diversity), 2) mammalian and/or bacterial cell culture or in vitro fecal fermentations, and 3) instrumental analysis (particularly LC-MS/MS). This will include study design, collection, and analysis of data, ensuring the quality of data, basic statistical analysis, generating tables and figures for presentation (in manuscripts and conference presentations) as it relates to impacts on human health, participation in preparation and submission manuscripts, reports and grant proposals.

Required education and experience:

  • Ph.D. in Nutrition Science, Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Toxicology, or related field.
  • Strong written and oral English communication skills
  • Ability to lead complex research projects with knowledge of advanced analytical chemistry techniques as appropriate for plant-derived phytochemicals
  • Ability to train and supervise students and visiting scholars.
  • Responsible for data acquisition, statistical processing, and interpretation as well as development and maintenance of datasets, and use of basic statistical software packages.

This position is located in Kannapolis, NC

Apply here: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/178267

Research Specialist

This position will manage and help establish operating capacity in the new gnotobiotic core in Kannapolis. It will work to independently provide care for axenic and gnotobiotic rodents and maintain gnotobiotic status and conduct validation and surveillance procedures in the facility. This position will maintain cages and isolators that house axenic and gnotobiotic rodents. It will also aid in the design, execution, and facilitation of gnotobiotic rodent experiments and provide advanced technical assistance to investigators and core directors.

Required education and experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
  • Ability to move/lift items weighing up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Requires prolonged and/or repetitive reaching, bending, and twisting.
  • Demonstrated experience performing animal husbandry in a laboratory animal environment.
  • Demonstrated experience with gnotobiotic animal husbandry
  • Demonstrated ability to function in a detail-oriented, teamwork environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with research/veterinary staff and personnel at all levels of an organization.

This position is located in Kannapolis, NC

Apply here: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/173700

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