Post-Doc Research Associate
- Employer
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
View more
- Administrative Jobs
- Academic Affairs, Research Staff & Technicians, Institutional & Business Affairs, Auxiliary Services
- Position Type
- Postdoc
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
ESE - Water Institute - 463002
Posting Open Date:05/12/2022
Open Until Filled:Yes
Position Type:Postdoctoral Scholar
Position Title:Post-Doc Research Associate
Vacancy ID:PDS003468
Full-time/Part-time:Full-Time Temporary
Hours per week:40
FTE:1
Work Location:Chapel Hill, NC
Position Location:North Carolina, US
Hiring Range:$50,000-$70,000
Proposed Start Date:09/01/2022
Estimated Duration of Appointment:12 Months
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:The Water Institute at University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill seeks to mobilize the knowledge, expertise and resources that exist across UNC to address local and global water challenges. The Institute works at the nexus of research, policy, and practice – using science and evidence to change the way the world works on water. The Institute sits within the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (ESE) in the Gillings School of Global Public Health (GSGPH) the top public school of public health in the United States. This gives the Water Institute a direct connection to some of the world’s leading experts in water chemistry and microbiology, water resources management, environmental engineering, and public health working to address the world’s biggest and most pressing water and health challenges through implementation science, community-based research, evidence-based decision-making, and strategic policy review in more than 60 countries around the world.
Position Summary:The Water Institute at UNC is seeking a talented, energetic, and motivated, post-doctoral researcher to lead research and projects related to drinking water safety – in particular, issues related to testing, monitoring, and management of under-recognized contaminants in drinking water in low- and middle-income countries, with an emphasis on lead and toxic metals. This work may include:
* Design, implementation, and evaluation of field research
* Remote and in-person support, training, and/or supervision of field teams on projects
* Development of training materials related to water quality monitoring and analysis with an emphasis on lead and toxic metals in drinking water
* Data management and analysis, including data from field research as well as secondary datasets
* Preparation of reports and peer-reviewed manuscripts
* Development and teaching of short courses/trainings related to water quality monitoring and analysis
* Engagement with international organizations and other partners to support the development of normative guidelines for improving drinking water quality
* Collaboration with researchers, students, staff, and faculty at the Water Institute, in the department of environmental sciences and engineering, and in other departments and centers at UNC and beyond.
Post-doctoral researchers also have opportunities to engage in other areas of Water Institute activity including teaching, knowledge management and networking and communication.
The candidate will have undertaken studies and been awarded a PhD in public health, water resources management, environmental engineering, or a related field. Candidates expecting a PhD within 3 months may also be considered. The successful candidate will have experience relevant to water quality monitoring and analysis, water safety, analytical chemistry, and/or biostatistics, data science, or data analysis; this experience should be relevant and/or transferrable to characterizing drinking water quality in a variety of settings with an emphasis on low- and middle-income countries.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:* Working knowledge of fundamental chemistry including basic analytical chemistry methods
* Knowledge of standard laboratory best practices including some familiarity with standard methods for the analysis of lead and toxic metals in water, as well as basic quality assurance/quality control methods.
* Ability to read, synthesize, and communicate peer-reviewed evidence in environmental engineering and public health literatures, as well as grey literature including government reports, program evaluations, etc.
* Ability to effectively communicate and present research results in written and verbal formats
* Working knowledge of basic statistics/biostatistics adequate to conduct sample size calculations, regressions, hypothesis testing, etc.
* Familiarity with at least one software package suitable for data analysis (e.g. R, STATA, MATLAB, SPSS, SAS, Python, etc.)
* Ability to work in office, laboratory, and field settings as needed
Preferred candidates will have a strong publication record for their career stage, strong oral and written communication skills, a history of successful grant writing, management of field work in low- and middle-income countries, and proven team-working skills. Past experience with water quality testing for trace metals, such as lead, in drinking water would be a plus. Further qualifications and experience may be relevant dependent on project requirements. Strong conceptual and analytical skills in addition to those specified above are also helpful; for example, experience with GIS software and geospatial data analysis is desirable (but not required). . Ability to travel domestically or internationally up to 25% as needed is preferred. Knowledge of one or more UN languages in addition to English (e.g. Spanish, French, Arabic, Mandarin, etc.) is a plus as well.
Special Instructions:For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here
Inclusive Excellence is a core value at the Gillings School of Global Public Health. We expect our faculty and staff to actively contribute to fostering an academic workplace climate that is welcoming and supportive for all.
Please indicate in your cover letter how you might contribute to an inclusive climate at Gillings.
Organization
The nation’s first public university is at the heart of what’s next, preparing a diverse student body to become creators, explorers, innovators and leaders in North Carolina and throughout the world. Carolina’s nationally recognized, innovative teaching, campus-wide spirit of inquiry and dedication to public service continue the legacy that began in 1795 when the University first opened its doors to students.
Here, in one of America's most beautiful college settings, we offer exceptional careers in richly diverse fields. Come explore what UNC-Chapel Hill has to offer you.
Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,117
Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,894
Total Student Enrollment: 30,011
Founded: 1789, as the first state university in the United States
Type of Institution: Public, four-year
Undergraduate Admission: 15,961
Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,039
Total Student Enrollment: 26,000
Faculty: 3,000
Percentage of faculty who hold Ph.D.s or the highest degrees in their field: 94 percent
Faculty/student ratio: 1/14
Location: UNC is located in the heart of Chapel Hill, the best college town in America! It's a friendly town of about 40,000 in the geographical center of North Carolina. Chapel Hill is at the western point of the Research Triangle, an area of about one million people, comprised of Chapel Hill, the cities of Durham and Raleigh, and the Research Triangle Park, home of many corporate offices and scientific research centers. Carolina is about 30 miles from the state capital, Raleigh, and 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Chapel Hill's main street, Franklin Street, borders the campus and offers shops, coffee houses, cafés, movie theaters and houses of worship. The town has a historic district, museum, library, parks, malls, and many recreational facilities.
Origins of Carolina's students: 82 percent of UNC's freshmen are from North Carolina and 18 percent are from out-of-state. Our students come from 42 different states and our international students represent 37 countries.
Size of freshman class: Approximately 3,400
Class size: Barely five percent of undergraduate classes contain more than 100 students; two-thirds of undergraduate classes have fewer than 30 students. Forty-one percent have fewer than 20 students, including First Year Seminars, in which first-year students work closely with professors.
Sports and athletic programs: UNC is an NCAA Division I school with 28 varsity teams. Carolina is the proud home of the Dean Smith Center, Kenan Stadium, Carmichael Auditorium, Koury Natatorium, and many other fine athletic facilities. Students join more than 60 intramural and club sports, which include baseball, bowling, crew, golf, lacrosse, rock climbing, rugby, tae kwon do, and ultimate frisbee. The Student Recreation Center offers weight training, aerobics, stair machines, and all the equipment you would expect to find at a great health club! Carolina offers a newly renovated outdoor pool and indoor pools, a golf course, tennis courts, and the longest zipline in America!
Number of residence halls: Incoming undergraduates will live in one of Carolina's 29 residence halls, which are wired for Internet access and cable television. housing.unc.edu
Scholarships and financial aid: About 40 percent of UNC-Chapel Hill students receive scholarships and/or some form of financial aid. studentaid.unc.edu
Special research institutes: Institute for Research in Social Science, Institute of Outdoor Drama, Morehead Planetarium, Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Institute of Government, Institute of African American Research.
Career services: On-campus counseling, job fairs, résumé writing service, internships, placement services. www.unc.edu/depts/career
Technological facilities: Students find multiple uses for Carolina's state-of-the-art technological resources. They can access Carolina's computer services through Academic Technology and Networks, which manages academic computing, e-mail, microcomputing labs, interactive media presentation, video and classroom support, and a help desk. The MetaLab oversees the development of SunSITE, one of the world's busiest digital library and electronic publishing projects.
Students may open e-mail accounts, and many use campus computer resources to construct personal Web pages. Students in residence halls have hardwired network connections to the Internet and cable television in their rooms. At the ATN Training center, students may take classes on software packages and utilities. Computer labs are available for student use all over campus.
Carolina Computing Initiative: Beginning with the freshman class of 2000, undergraduates must purchase laptop computers. The University has arranged for IBM to offer computers at excellent prices. Students, faculty, and staff will enjoy cost savings, higher quality compatible equipment, and better technical support through CCI. www.unc.edu/cci
The Study Abroad program allows students to live and learn in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Africa, and the Americas. www.unc.edu/depts/abroad
The Honors Program offers special seminars, research programs, and the chance to design your own independent studies. www.unc.edu/depts/honors
Carolina students spend time in public service through student organizations, the Campus Y, the Carolina Center for Public Service, and courses that incorporate community service.
UNC's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a national collegiate honor society, is the oldest in North Carolina, dating from 1904. There are many other honorary societies at Carolina.
UNC offers ROTC programs in all branches of national military service.
Through the First Year Seminars program, first year students will understand what it means to study at a premier research university. They will learn from faculty members and share in their research in seminars of no more than 20 students.
Life outside the classroom: More than 370 clubs, teams, and student organizations offer something for everyone! You can choose from among musical and dramatic performing groups, publications, ethnic and religious clubs, the Campus Y and other service organizations, fraternities and sororities, and pre- professional organizations. Whatever your interests, you will find others at Carolina who share them! www.unc.edu/depts/union/student/listintr.htm
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