Post-Doc Research Associate

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities and is among is the top ten research universities in the nation for federal research expenditures as well as for federally funded social and behavioral sciences research and development.

Here at Carolina, our highly skilled postdocs play a vital role in our research enterprise and towards our overall commitment to research excellence. Across many disciplines, postdocs contribute to the intellectual vitality of the University. They provide innovative ideas and perspectives, foster a stimulating research environment and advance knowledge within their fields. Postdocs are crucial members of our scientific research workforce, contributors to our research outputs and an important reason why Carolina is one of the leading public research institutions in the country.

UNC-Chapel Hill offers postdocs comprehensive medical and vision coverage, paid leave, and benefits and services that support professional development and a healthy work/life balance. Chapel Hill regularly ranks as one of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, a reputation guided by the diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

The Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering ( ESE) is one of eight academic units in the Gillings School of Global Public Health. The Department's primary focus is on research and graduate education at the interface of the environment and human health, with an increasing emphasis on undergraduate education. The Department has tenured and tenure-track faculty, academic fixed-term faculty and research faculty. The current student body comprises approximately 120 graduate students and 50 undergraduate students.

The Department is home to the UNC Water Institute, an interdisciplinary center that works to build a sustainable water-secure world by connecting research, practice, and policy across engineering, public health, and the social sciences, with research and field programs in the United States and internationally.

The successful candidate will conduct research at the intersection of water and health as part of the UNC Water Institute at the Gillings School of Global Public Health. Depending on the specific appointment, research may focus on the development and evaluation of novel disinfection technologies, new methods in environmental health microbiology, and quantitative microbial risk assessment, applied to drinking water, wastewater, and other environmental matrices. Work will be conducted in the context of field- and laboratory-based studies and trials in the United States and internationally, in collaboration with faculty, students, and partner institutions and communities. The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with an interdisciplinary team that may include engineers, microbiologists, epidemiologists, and public health practitioners, and will interact with the broader UNC Water Institute community.

Specific activities will include, but are not limited to, experimental design and execution, environmental sample collection and microbiological/analytical characterization, data analysis, and manuscript and proposal preparation. In addition to research activities, the successful candidate is expected to contribute to the mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students, and to other academic activities, as part of their postdoctoral training.

The specific project, start date, and appointment length will depend on the funding source and supervising faculty member. Postdoctoral appointments are typically for one year, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance and funding availability, for up to three years.

Ph.D. in environmental engineering, environmental science, environmental health microbiology, civil engineering, public health, or a closely related field.

Well-organized, detail-oriented, able to work independently and with groups, and interested in working on interdisciplinary team science. Valuable background and skills include international field experience in impact evaluation of water and sanitation programming, environmental health microbiology, risk assessment, and environmental epidemiology. The ideal candidate will also have experience designing, conducting, analyzing, and publishing research, as well as publications in relevant environmental journals. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have interest/experience mentoring junior researchers, including undergraduate and graduate students, and supporting faculty in co-instructing course-based research experiences.

Preferred qualifications include: demonstrated skills in environmental microbiology (e.g., pathogen detection and quantification, culture- and molecular-based methods, microbial source tracking); experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desired: disinfection technologies, environmental health risk assessment, or water quality and wastewater surveillance. Experience conducting field-based research or trials, including in international and/or low-resource settings, will be viewed favorably. A record of research productivity (e.g., peer-reviewed publications) and strong written and oral communication skills are expected.

For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here Applicants should include one example of a first-author publication with their application.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University's Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at (919) 962-9982 or send an email to opahr@unc.edu.

Please note: The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.