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) focuses on the interface between people and the environment with interdisciplinary programs in air quality, atmospheric processes, human exposure and health effects, and sustainable water resources, drawn from faculty expertise In the physical and life sciences engineering and policy. The Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering ( ESE) is an academic and research department located in the Gillings School of Global Public Health and has 24 faculty, 29 joint and adjunct faculty, 14 administrative staff members, and 7 research staff members. It has about 120 graduate students. The mission of the Gillings School of Global Public Health is to improve public health, promote individual well-being, and eliminate health disparities across North Carolina and around the world.

The Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering in the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is recruiting an exceptional candidate for a postdoctoral research fellowship in environmental sciences and engineering with a focus in toxicology. The fellow will join an exciting group of researchers working on characterizing relationships between environmental exposures and health outcomes, with a focus on emerging contaminants and complex mixtures at growing prevalence in the environment. The fellow's primary role will be to support the toxicological investigation of inhalation exposures to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ( PFAS).

Roles & Responsibilities Include:

Working with PI (Dr. Julia Rager), the postdoc will lead the development of in vitro and in vivo mouse exposure designs to evaluate the toxicological impacts of exposures to various PFAS in dose-response. Toxicological endpoints of interest will span protein specific markers of toxicity, lung function, mucous secretion, surfactants, and various -omics based signatures including transcriptomic alterations. Data will be statistically analyzed by this fellow and modelled in for dose-response relationships yielding values applicable to human health risk assessments. This fellow will further communicate findings to government stakeholders and community members. All efforts are team-based, and the fellow is expected to work closely alongside students, post-docs, and staff members to ensure the highest caliber of research is obtained.

The successful candidate will be expected to lead peer-reviewed publications (at least two publications as first author and multiple as contributing author supporting other team efforts in the lab of Dr. Rager). The candidate will also present findings at scientific meetings and stakeholder meetings, and contribute to grant proposals.

The post-doctoral fellow will have received a PhD, DrPH, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree with experience in environmental sciences and engineering, environmental health, toxicology, epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, or related fields.

The successful candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills and a record of publishing in leading peer-reviewed journals. Strong proficiency in toxicological study design, implementation, research management and coordination, and data analysis techniques and outstanding communication skills are essential for this position. The candidate must be well-organized, detail-oriented, able to work independently, and interested in working on interdisciplinary team science.

Experience with in vitro and in vivo animal models; Experience with transcriptomic responses to toxicants; Experience collaborating with research partners in government agencies; Experience with analyzing -omics datasets of relevance to toxicology; Record of writing grants; and Proficient academic writing.

Must possess flexibility, mobility, and strength to manage in vitro and in vivo experimental steps. Needs to have the physical ability to perform varied tasks in the lab and to also sit at a work station to perform analyses and writing. ; i.e. a high level of concentration to do challenging techniques.

For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here

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.