What are the responsibilities and job description for the Post-Doc Research Associate position at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
Posting Information
Posting Details
Department SW-School of Social Work - 380100
Posting Open Date 11/25/2025
Application Deadline 01/06/2026
Open Until Filled No
Position Type Postdoctoral Scholar
Position Title Post-Doc Research Associate
Vacancy ID PDS004725
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 $61,000-$65,000
Proposed Start Date 02/02/2026
Estimated Duration of Appointment 24 Months
Position Information
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 mission of the School of Social Work is to advance equity, transform systems, improve lives. The School’s curriculum supports the mission and recognizes the uniqueness of the region served, including concerns for disadvantaged, vulnerable, and oppressed individuals, families and communities. Classes provide rigorous and evidence-based content, and give students the opportunity to explore theory, learn intervention skills and engage in challenging dialogue with colleagues.
Position Summary
The School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar under the supervision of Dr. Eric Rice, the Gordon Berg and Martha Beach Distinguished Professor at the School of Social Work at UNC Chapel Hill. Dr. Rice is an internationally recognized scholar and leader in developing innovative, data-driven solutions to address homelessness, health inequities, and other complex social problems. His research focuses on youth experiencing homelessness, where he has transformed the field’s understanding of how social networks shape health and well-being. The Postdoctoral Scholar will primarily assist with manuscript preparation, dissemination and grant proposal development related to Dr. Rice’s ongoing projects.
The Postdoctoral Scholar will primarily assist Dr. Rice in his ongoing research in the areas of promoting positive health behaviors and preventing suicide among young adults experiencing homelessness. The focus of the postdoctoral work will be on working with Dr. Rice to used existing data on social networks or young adults experiencing homelessness to produce new scientific manuscripts on the impact of social networks on health behaviors. Moreover, the Postdoctoral Scholar will assist Dr. Rice in the development of new grant proposals in the area of health behaviors for young adults experiencing homelessness.
The Postdoctoral Scholar will be engaged in developing research frameworks, methodologies, and instruments to address multiple research questions. The Postdoctoral Scholar will contribute to the writing and editing of scholarly publications and presentations and be involved in proposal development and manuscript preparation.
The successful candidate will be provided with a supportive, multidisciplinary environment in which they can function to contribute to successfully achieving the goals of the projects on which they work. Additionally, the candidate will have the opportunity to further refine and develop skills in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, and grant writing. In addition to working with Dr. Rice, the candidate may work with other faculty members and students in the School of Social Work as deemed necessary in the course of the projects.
Minimum Education And Experience Requirements
Ph.D. in Social Work, Social Policy, Social Welfare, or a related field, and their academic interests should align with the focus areas specified in the position description.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience
Candidates must have early career scholarly experience in both quantitative and qualitative research, with much emphasis on qualitative and assessment skills. Highly competitive candidates must have appreciable expertise in proposal development and intervention research, field research (surveys and interviews), data analysis, and scholarly dissemination (presenting papers at conferences). Further, a demonstrated experience in scholarly writing is a requirement.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience
Experience with mixed-methods research, intervention research, and qualitative data analysis will be preferred. Expertise in proposal development, systematic reviews, content analysis, and meta-analysis, and is an added advantage.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Special Instructions
For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/309897
Posting Contact Information
Department Contact Name and Title Jennifer Jean-Baptiste-Human Resources Specialist
Department Contact Telephone or Email jjean-baptiste@unc.edu
Postdoctoral Affairs Contact Information
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.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
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.
Posting Details
Department SW-School of Social Work - 380100
Posting Open Date 11/25/2025
Application Deadline 01/06/2026
Open Until Filled No
Position Type Postdoctoral Scholar
Position Title Post-Doc Research Associate
Vacancy ID PDS004725
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 $61,000-$65,000
Proposed Start Date 02/02/2026
Estimated Duration of Appointment 24 Months
Position Information
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 mission of the School of Social Work is to advance equity, transform systems, improve lives. The School’s curriculum supports the mission and recognizes the uniqueness of the region served, including concerns for disadvantaged, vulnerable, and oppressed individuals, families and communities. Classes provide rigorous and evidence-based content, and give students the opportunity to explore theory, learn intervention skills and engage in challenging dialogue with colleagues.
Position Summary
The School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar under the supervision of Dr. Eric Rice, the Gordon Berg and Martha Beach Distinguished Professor at the School of Social Work at UNC Chapel Hill. Dr. Rice is an internationally recognized scholar and leader in developing innovative, data-driven solutions to address homelessness, health inequities, and other complex social problems. His research focuses on youth experiencing homelessness, where he has transformed the field’s understanding of how social networks shape health and well-being. The Postdoctoral Scholar will primarily assist with manuscript preparation, dissemination and grant proposal development related to Dr. Rice’s ongoing projects.
The Postdoctoral Scholar will primarily assist Dr. Rice in his ongoing research in the areas of promoting positive health behaviors and preventing suicide among young adults experiencing homelessness. The focus of the postdoctoral work will be on working with Dr. Rice to used existing data on social networks or young adults experiencing homelessness to produce new scientific manuscripts on the impact of social networks on health behaviors. Moreover, the Postdoctoral Scholar will assist Dr. Rice in the development of new grant proposals in the area of health behaviors for young adults experiencing homelessness.
The Postdoctoral Scholar will be engaged in developing research frameworks, methodologies, and instruments to address multiple research questions. The Postdoctoral Scholar will contribute to the writing and editing of scholarly publications and presentations and be involved in proposal development and manuscript preparation.
The successful candidate will be provided with a supportive, multidisciplinary environment in which they can function to contribute to successfully achieving the goals of the projects on which they work. Additionally, the candidate will have the opportunity to further refine and develop skills in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, and grant writing. In addition to working with Dr. Rice, the candidate may work with other faculty members and students in the School of Social Work as deemed necessary in the course of the projects.
Minimum Education And Experience Requirements
Ph.D. in Social Work, Social Policy, Social Welfare, or a related field, and their academic interests should align with the focus areas specified in the position description.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience
Candidates must have early career scholarly experience in both quantitative and qualitative research, with much emphasis on qualitative and assessment skills. Highly competitive candidates must have appreciable expertise in proposal development and intervention research, field research (surveys and interviews), data analysis, and scholarly dissemination (presenting papers at conferences). Further, a demonstrated experience in scholarly writing is a requirement.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience
Experience with mixed-methods research, intervention research, and qualitative data analysis will be preferred. Expertise in proposal development, systematic reviews, content analysis, and meta-analysis, and is an added advantage.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Special Instructions
For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/309897
Posting Contact Information
Department Contact Name and Title Jennifer Jean-Baptiste-Human Resources Specialist
Department Contact Telephone or Email jjean-baptiste@unc.edu
Postdoctoral Affairs Contact Information
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.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
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.
Salary : $61,000 - $65,000
