Job Title

Why Work at BYU 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.What you'll do in this position: Design and execute metabolomics experiments, including untargeted and targeted profiling workflowsPerform 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 techniquesOperate and maintain analytical instrumentation, including GC-MS and LC-MS platformsDevelop, optimize, and validate analytical methods for metabolite identification and quantificationConduct data preprocessing, statistical analysis, and pathway enrichment using appropriate bioinformatics tools and softwareMaintain detailed laboratory records, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and data documentation in compliance with research standardsEnsure proper handling, storage, and disposal of biological and chemical materials in accordance with BYU safety protocolsCollaborate with faculty, graduate students, and other research staff to advance project goalsPresent research findings in lab meetings and contribute to the preparation of manuscripts and reportsWhat qualifies you for this role:RequiredA 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 simultaneouslyExcellent written and verbal communication skillsPreferredPostdoctoral 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 settingApplication Deadline: Friday, April 24, 2026What we offer in return:This position comes with fantastic benefits, including:Employee assistance program, available to the employee and all members of their householdAccess to the libraryFree on-campus parkingFree UTA passDiscounts at the BYU Store and for many events at BYUPay Grade: 51Typical Starting Pay: $28.25 to $36.25 an hourRequired Documents:All Staff positions require a resume.Refer to the Job Posting for any additional required documents.Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend.Brigham Young University is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.Brigham Young University (BYU) is widely recognized not just for its world-class education, but for its deep commitment to inspired religious values. Gathered together in a Christ-centered atmosphere, BYU employees are a vital part of a community of belonging, where we value the experiences, perspectives, and talents of each individual. If you share in our devotion to faith and to excellence, we have a place for you here at BYU!