Part-time Research Associate (TEMPORARY)

Brigham Young University•Provo, UT

22h•$28 - $36

About The Position

As the flagship higher education institution of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young University (BYU) strives to be among the exceptional universities in the world. At BYU, we are devoted to our faith and to our students. We take an active role in the University's Mission: "To assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life.” Our unique mission, deeply rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, provides countless ways to serve and make an impact. This, along with our remarkable culture of belonging, weekly devotionals, and endless opportunities for learning and growth—all situated within a beautiful and historic campus—make it hard to imagine a more inspiring place to work. Brigham Young University strongly prefers to hire faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Part-time Research Associate (TEMPORARY) The Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science at Brigham Young University invites applications for a part-time Research Scientist with expertise in metabolomics. This summer appointment (20 hours per week) will support ongoing research projects involving the comprehensive analysis of metabolites in biological systems. The successful candidate will contribute to experimental design, sample collection and preparation, analytical data acquisition, and data interpretation in collaboration with faculty and graduate researchers.

Requirements

A firm commitment to the mission of BYU.
PhD in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Nutrition Science, Food Science, Analytical Chemistry, or a closely related field
Demonstrated hands-on experience with metabolomics sample preparation and extraction protocols (e.g., protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction)
Proficiency in operating GC-MS and/or LC-MS instrumentation, including method development and instrument troubleshooting
Experience with isolation and purification of compounds from biological extracts (e.g., HPLC, flash chromatography, SPE)
Familiarity with metabolomics data analysis platforms such as XCMS, MZmine, MetaboAnalyst, GNPS, or similar
Experience with statistical analysis relevant to metabolomics (e.g., PCA, PLS-DA, volcano plots, pathway analysis)
Working knowledge of metabolite databases (e.g., HMDB, METLIN, KEGG, LipidMaps)
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Nice To Haves

Postdoctoral research experience in metabolomics or a related analytical discipline
Experience with NMR spectroscopy as a complementary metabolomics tool
Familiarity with lipidomics workflows and lipid identification strategies
Proficiency in R, Python, or MATLAB for data processing and visualization
Experience with stable isotope tracing and fluxomics approaches
Knowledge of food science, nutritional biochemistry, or clinical research contexts
Record of peer-reviewed publication in metabolomics or analytical chemistry
Experience mentoring graduate or undergraduate students in a research laboratory setting

Responsibilities

Design and execute metabolomics experiments, including untargeted and targeted profiling workflows
Perform metabolomics extractions and sample processing from complex biological matrices (e.g., plasma, urine, tissue, cell culture media, food matrices)
Isolate and purify compounds from biological extracts using chromatographic and other separation techniques
Operate and maintain analytical instrumentation, including GC-MS and LC-MS platforms
Develop, optimize, and validate analytical methods for metabolite identification and quantification
Conduct data preprocessing, statistical analysis, and pathway enrichment using appropriate bioinformatics tools and software
Maintain detailed laboratory records, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and data documentation in compliance with research standards
Ensure proper handling, storage, and disposal of biological and chemical materials in accordance with BYU safety protocols
Collaborate with faculty, graduate students, and other research staff to advance project goals
Present research findings in lab meetings and contribute to the preparation of manuscripts and reports

Benefits

Employee assistance program, available to the employee and all members of their household
Access to the library
Free on-campus parking
Free UTA pass
Discounts at the BYU Store and for many events at BYU

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume