Research Scientist (Kelada Lab)
Company: UNC-Chapel Hill
Location: Chapel Hill
Posted on: April 2, 2026
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Job Description:
Position Summary Dr. Samir Kelada’s Laboratory in the Department
of Genetics in the UNC School of Medicine is seeking a Research
Scientist position.The Kelada Lab’s research is aimed at
identifying gene-environment interactions with air pollution
exposure that affect the development and progression of respiratory
diseases. The primary purpose of this new position is to design,
execute and analyze experiments using mouse models of air
pollution-induced respiratory disease, with a focus on identifying
genetic and genomic predictors of adverse responses. Working with
the Supervisor and other the lab members, the research scientist
will oversee large-scale projects that involve measuring pulmonary
and immune responses to air pollution across inbred strains of
mice, using a variety of measurement approaches including flow
cytometry, and isolating specific cell types of interest by flow
sorting for subsequent analysis of gene expression and potentially
epigenomic endpoints (e.g., chromatin accessibility). Thereafter,
the research scientist will carry out both basic and complex
statistical analyses of the data, including characterizing the
effect of air pollution exposure on pulmonary and immune responses,
analysis of differential gene expression in specific cell types,
and in some cases carry out spatial transcriptomic analyses of
specific lung regions. Finally, the research scientist will conduct
quantitative genetic analysis (i.e., QTL mapping) of specific
endpoints measured in mouse experimental crosses. In addition to
carrying out these research projects, the research scientist will
also be expected to lead efforts to present the results of these
projects in lab meetings and conferences. Thus, strong scientific
communication skills are fundamental for this position. Required
Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience Post-doctoral
fellowship in a related field and/or experience in other industry
or government setting. Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And
Experience PhD in genetics/molecular biology or
toxicology/environmental health. Experience with mouse models of
environmentally-induced pulmonary disease, including phenotyping
using bronchoalveolar lavage and tissue collection Flow cytometry
and FACS sorting of cellular populations isolated from the murine
lung and other organs. Demonstrated proficiency with standard
statistical approaches for biomedical data using R software
Demonstrated proficiency in analysis of bulk RNA -seq data using R
software, including visualization approaches Proficiency with
design spatial transcriptomics experiments and resulting data
analysis Experience with quantitative trait locus mapping methods
in experimental crosses Experience in giving scientific
presentations
Keywords: UNC-Chapel Hill, Kannapolis , Research Scientist (Kelada Lab), Science, Research & Development , Chapel Hill, North Carolina
