Post-Doc Research Associate
- Employer
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
View more categoriesView less categories
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
ESE - Water Institute - 463002
Posting Open Date:09/29/2026
Application Deadline:11/27/2026
Open Until Filled:No
Position Type:Postdoctoral Scholar
Position Title:Post-Doc Research Associate
Vacancy ID:PDS004981
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:$62,000- $70,000
Proposed Start Date:01/18/2027
Estimated Duration of Appointment:12 Months
Be a Tar Heel!: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.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit: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.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience: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, Competencies, and Experience: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.
Special Instructions:For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here
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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