What are the responsibilities and job description for the Catalysis Scientist position at Inside Higher Ed?
Department
Chemistry-318300
Career Area
Research Professionals
Posting Open Date
05/01/2026
Application Deadline
05/28/2026
Open Until Filled
No
Position Type
Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
Working Title
Catalysis Scientist
Appointment Type
EHRA Non-Faculty
Position Number
20075385
Vacancy ID
NF0009699
Full Time/Part Time
Full-Time Permanent
Fte
1
Hours Per Week
40
Position Location:
North Carolina, US
Hiring Range
$70,000 - $100,000
Proposed Start Date
07/01/2026
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. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.
One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.
University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose Of Organizational Unit
The Chemistry Department is one of the largest and most complex departments in the College of Arts and Sciences. There are 55 faculty members, 28 SHRA and 26 EHRA staff positions, 260 graduate students, 45 postdoctoral research associates, 700 undergraduate majors, and an annual total of approximately 10,000 registrations by all students in classroom and laboratory courses. The Department is housed in five buildings with over 580,000 sq. feet of space. The faculty participate in teaching assignments which involve an average of 200 students per faculty member per semester. The majority of faculty are research active and supervise graduate students working on their Masters or Ph.D. degrees, undergraduate students carrying out independent research and honors programs, research technicians and postdoctoral research associates. Primarily the research is funded by federal and private agencies such as NSF, NIH, Army, Navy, DOE, PRF and involves expenditures of more than nineteen million dollars annually. A total of over thirty-two million dollars from all sources is expended annually in the Department.
Position Summary
The Sustainable Energy Research Center (SERC) seeks applicants for a senior research scientist to lead the High-Throughput Experimentation in Catalysis Core Laboratory (HiTEC) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH). HiTEC provides instrumentation for thermal, photochemical, and electrochemical reaction setup and product analysis. Instrumentation includes inert-atmosphere gloveboxes, high-pressure gas manifolds, parallel reactors, evaporators, gas chromatographs, and mass spectrometers. The position will provide technical oversight and management of the core laboratory, including financial management, supplies purchases, routine maintenance, protocol development and optimization, and user training. This position will support and advise scholarship and scientific research efforts, including reaction design and analysis.
Minimum Education And Experience Requirements
Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience
A minimum of five years of laboratory experience in catalysis and analytical methods (including gas chromatography and mass spectrometry) is required. Work history should demonstrate experience laboratory and instrumentation maintenance, safety and chemical hygiene.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience
Experience with electrochemical methods, photoelectrochemical methods, and/or high-pressure reactors is preferred. Experience mentoring of junior researchers and laboratory management experience is highly desirable, along with commitment to establishing and maintaining laboratory best practices, including safety, chemical hygiene waste handling, and maintenance of detailed laboratory records. Successful candidates will be highly organized, enjoy working collaboratively, and bring creative ideas to improving reaction discovery methodologies.
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.
Chemistry-318300
Career Area
Research Professionals
Posting Open Date
05/01/2026
Application Deadline
05/28/2026
Open Until Filled
No
Position Type
Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
Working Title
Catalysis Scientist
Appointment Type
EHRA Non-Faculty
Position Number
20075385
Vacancy ID
NF0009699
Full Time/Part Time
Full-Time Permanent
Fte
1
Hours Per Week
40
Position Location:
North Carolina, US
Hiring Range
$70,000 - $100,000
Proposed Start Date
07/01/2026
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. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.
One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.
University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose Of Organizational Unit
The Chemistry Department is one of the largest and most complex departments in the College of Arts and Sciences. There are 55 faculty members, 28 SHRA and 26 EHRA staff positions, 260 graduate students, 45 postdoctoral research associates, 700 undergraduate majors, and an annual total of approximately 10,000 registrations by all students in classroom and laboratory courses. The Department is housed in five buildings with over 580,000 sq. feet of space. The faculty participate in teaching assignments which involve an average of 200 students per faculty member per semester. The majority of faculty are research active and supervise graduate students working on their Masters or Ph.D. degrees, undergraduate students carrying out independent research and honors programs, research technicians and postdoctoral research associates. Primarily the research is funded by federal and private agencies such as NSF, NIH, Army, Navy, DOE, PRF and involves expenditures of more than nineteen million dollars annually. A total of over thirty-two million dollars from all sources is expended annually in the Department.
Position Summary
The Sustainable Energy Research Center (SERC) seeks applicants for a senior research scientist to lead the High-Throughput Experimentation in Catalysis Core Laboratory (HiTEC) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH). HiTEC provides instrumentation for thermal, photochemical, and electrochemical reaction setup and product analysis. Instrumentation includes inert-atmosphere gloveboxes, high-pressure gas manifolds, parallel reactors, evaporators, gas chromatographs, and mass spectrometers. The position will provide technical oversight and management of the core laboratory, including financial management, supplies purchases, routine maintenance, protocol development and optimization, and user training. This position will support and advise scholarship and scientific research efforts, including reaction design and analysis.
Minimum Education And Experience Requirements
Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience
A minimum of five years of laboratory experience in catalysis and analytical methods (including gas chromatography and mass spectrometry) is required. Work history should demonstrate experience laboratory and instrumentation maintenance, safety and chemical hygiene.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience
Experience with electrochemical methods, photoelectrochemical methods, and/or high-pressure reactors is preferred. Experience mentoring of junior researchers and laboratory management experience is highly desirable, along with commitment to establishing and maintaining laboratory best practices, including safety, chemical hygiene waste handling, and maintenance of detailed laboratory records. Successful candidates will be highly organized, enjoy working collaboratively, and bring creative ideas to improving reaction discovery methodologies.
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.
Salary : $70,000 - $100,000