Research Assistant - Machado Lab

North Carolina State University

$50,000-$60,000

United States, North Carolina, Raleigh

Jan 22, 2025

Posting Information

Posting Number	PG193917EP
Internal Recruitment	No
Working Title	Research Assistant - Machado Lab
Anticipated Hiring Range	$50,000-$60,000
Work Schedule	Monday - Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
Job Location	Raleigh, NC
Department	Department of Population Health and Pathobiology
About the Department	The mission of the Department of Population Health and Pathobiology is to recruit, train, inspire, and graduate Doctors of Veterinary Medicine with exemplary knowledge, skill, and character. To maintain the intellectual and professional climate necessary to accomplish this mission, the department's faculty will advance veterinary medical science through innovative basic and applied research, inspired mentoring of students (undergraduate, professional, residents, and graduate), excellence in clinical and diagnostic services, and innovative extension and engagement activities. North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine ( CVM) is a dynamic community whose members are dedicated to preparing veterinarians and veterinarian scientists while advancing animal and human health from the cellular level through entire ecosystems. With its first class graduating in 1985, the CVM is one of the younger veterinary programs in the country. Despite its relative youth, the College has gained international recognition for its teaching, research, engagement, and patient care efforts and is ranked third among the nation's 28 colleges of veterinary medicine in the current U.S. News & World Report survey. Located on 180 acres near downtown Raleigh, the College encompasses 20 buildings on the main Centennial Biomedical Campus. Instruction is in three departments: Clinical Sciences, Molecular Biomedical Sciences, and Population Health Pathobiology. In addition to the four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, there are programs leading to master's and doctoral degrees in several areas with numerous opportunities for specialization.
Essential Job Duties	Purpose of the Position We are inviting applicants to apply for the Research Assistant role which will primarily support the Rapid Access Biosecurity (RABapp) systems team and research activities within the Machado Laboratory. RABapp Overview RABapp is a web-based system designed to assist livestock and poultry producers, along with animal health officials, in developing biosecurity plans, tracking disease transmission, and improving emergency preparedness for foreign animal disease ( FAD) outbreaks. RABapp operates as a consortium of academic researchers, swine companies, state animal health officials, and industry veterinarians working toward a shared goal: enhancing U.S. livestock and poultry industry preparedness for large-scale FAD emergencies. The system provides a repository for on-farm biosecurity plans, traceability of animal and vehicle movements, disease records, and disease transmission models. Key functions of RABapp include: Biosecurity Planning: Assists producers in developing biosecurity plans for swine, cattle, and poultry, ensuring alignment with national policies and guidelines such as the Secure Food Supply Plans and the National Poultry Improvement Plan. Plans are submitted for review by animal health officials, who approve or request revisions until they meet required standards. Real-Time Traceability: Collects and integrates data on the movement of animals, semen, and vehicles, enabling rapid tracking of direct and indirect contacts crucial for responding to FAD outbreaks. RABapp also incorporates shared outbreak data, allowing producers and officials to monitor the spread of endemic diseases. Disease Transmission Modeling: Utilizes biosecurity, movement, and outbreak data to develop farm-, barn-, and pen-level transmission models, supporting proactive disease control strategies. About the Machado Laboratory The Machado Laboratory, led by Associate Professor Dr. Machado, specializes in infectious disease transmission models, with expertise in food animal production epidemiology and the development of disease control strategies at multiple scales. The lab's research focuses on mathematical modeling of disease spread based on real-world population, animal, and vehicle movement data. Current projects address major livestock diseases, including: African swine fever Foot-and-mouth disease Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) Key Responsibilities The individual in this position will coordinate the daily operations of RABapp, ensuring smooth program execution and effective collaboration with industry and research partners. Responsibilities include: Program Development & Implementation - Organize and lead workshops and hands-on training sessions. Staff Management - Supervise temporary staff in collecting, curating, and preparing biosecurity plans, including farm-enhanced biosecurity plans and farm maps. Data Organization - Manage datasets in multiple formats (e.g., .csv tables, .shp shapefiles, and Geodata databases). GIS Mapping - Develop GIS-based biosecurity maps in compliance with national guidelines and regulations. Stakeholder Engagement - Maintain regular communication with livestock and poultry industry representatives and state animal health officials across multiple states. System Development - Based on experience, contribute to developing new RABapp functionalities, including geospatial analytic tools. Lab Coordination - Assist with scheduling and maintaining Machado Lab activities, including educational and applied research efforts with industry partners. Research Collaboration - Participate in discussions on laboratory research results and collaborate with faculty, graduate students, and external stakeholders. Compliance & Data Management - Serve as the primary liaison for central campus compliance, overseeing reliance agreements, data sharing, and data transfers. Relationship Management - Foster strong relationships with the research team, collaborators, and other research administrators. Onboarding & Training - Oversee onboarding and core training for new staff, including NC State-required training and access to necessary resources. This role requires strong project management, data analysis, and communication skills to facilitate effective collaboration between researchers, industry partners, and regulatory agencies. The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing biosecurity planning, disease surveillance, and emergency preparedness for the livestock and poultry industries.
Other Responsibilities	Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree, or relevant Bachelor's degree plus 3 or more years of independent research experience, or substantive relevant independent experience and education. May require terminal degree and licensure.
Other Required Qualifications	Excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills with a great work ethic. Strong analytical skills and computer skills. Accurate record-keeping and data management skills.
Preferred Qualifications	Degree in geospatial analytics, geospatial, management or related field Experience in managing a group of individuals Customer service background Exceptional communication skills, including written and verbal Ability to work independently, take initiative, and be comfortable making important decisions quickly. Flexibility and ability to work in a deadline-driven and fast-paced working environment that has multiple moving parts
Required License(s) or Certification(s)	n/a
Valid NC Driver's License required	No
Commercial Driver's License required	No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date	01/21/2025
Anticipated Close Date
Special Instructions to Applicants	Please include a cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for professional references.

Position Details

Position Number	00108727
Position Type	EPS/SAAO
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)	1.0
Appointment	12 Month Recurring
Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather	Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather
Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events	Non Mandatory - Emergency Event
Department ID	196001 - Department of Population Health and Pathobiology
AA/EEO	NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Equal Opportunity. If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University 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.