What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Research Associate position at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
Posting Information
Posting Details
Department Marsico Lung Inst - CF Center - 426401
Posting Open Date 04/24/2026
Application Deadline 04/28/2026
Open Until Filled No
Position Type Postdoctoral Scholar
Position Title Postdoctoral Research Associate
Vacancy ID PDS004840
Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Temporary
Hours per week 40
FTE 1
Work Location Chapel Hill, NC
Position Location North Carolina, US
Qualifications
Hiring Range Dependent upon qualifications and experience
Proposed Start Date 05/11/2026
Estimated Duration of Appointment 12 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
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.
Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We prepare tomorrow`s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.
Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.
The Marsico Lung Institute ( MLI )/ UNC Cystic Fibrosis Center (CF Center) has a rich tradition of collaboration. Our goal is to provide the mechanism for generating world-class research into the pathogenesis and treatment of disease that impact on the airways of the human lung. Basic research activities focus on the elucidation of the pathogenesis of human airways diseases at the molecular, biologic, cell biologic, and physiologic levels. Clinical and therapeutic studies focus on specific disease categories, exploring pathophysiologic concepts in patients with these diseases, and, with the collaboration of basic and clinical investigators, developing rational, novel ways for treatment airways diseases. Research into cystic fibrosis is a major focal point of the Center, but other major human airways diseases also are studied. This includes asthma, primary ciliary dyskinesia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Position Summary
The Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct independent and collaborative research focused on the development, optimization, and validation of advanced in vitro systems for aerosol and inhalation exposure delivery of xenobiotics. Responsibilities include designing and performing experiments using relevant airway and respiratory cell culture models, maintaining and expanding tissue culture systems, and ensuring rigorous experimental quality control and reproducibility.
Additional duties include investigation of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of inhaled compounds, as well as toxicological assessment of aerosols and inhaled agents using human relevant in vitro platforms. The Postdoc will analyze and interpret complex datasets, integrate findings across experimental systems, and contribute to translational applications of exposure and toxicity modeling. This position will also involve mentoring and training undergraduate students, graduate students, medical students, and junior trainees in laboratory techniques, experimental design, data analysis, and responsible conduct of research. The Postdoc is expected to actively participate in the preparation of manuscripts for peer reviewed publication and the development of grant proposals, including contributing to study design, data presentation, and written sections of applications. This individual will work closely with the PI and interdisciplinary collaborators, contribute to lab meetings and scientific discussions, and support the overall research mission of the Marsico Lung Institute.
Minimum Education And Experience Requirements
PhD in Environmental Medicine, Toxicology or related field
Required Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience
Ideal candidates will possess excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to work in a highly collaborative team environment.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience
Relevant lab experience highly preferred.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
N/A
Special Instructions
For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/316656
Posting Contact Information
Department Contact Name and Title Stephanie Fleming, HR Consultant
Department Contact Telephone or Email stephanie_fleming@med.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 Marsico Lung Inst - CF Center - 426401
Posting Open Date 04/24/2026
Application Deadline 04/28/2026
Open Until Filled No
Position Type Postdoctoral Scholar
Position Title Postdoctoral Research Associate
Vacancy ID PDS004840
Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Temporary
Hours per week 40
FTE 1
Work Location Chapel Hill, NC
Position Location North Carolina, US
Qualifications
Hiring Range Dependent upon qualifications and experience
Proposed Start Date 05/11/2026
Estimated Duration of Appointment 12 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
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.
Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We prepare tomorrow`s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.
Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.
The Marsico Lung Institute ( MLI )/ UNC Cystic Fibrosis Center (CF Center) has a rich tradition of collaboration. Our goal is to provide the mechanism for generating world-class research into the pathogenesis and treatment of disease that impact on the airways of the human lung. Basic research activities focus on the elucidation of the pathogenesis of human airways diseases at the molecular, biologic, cell biologic, and physiologic levels. Clinical and therapeutic studies focus on specific disease categories, exploring pathophysiologic concepts in patients with these diseases, and, with the collaboration of basic and clinical investigators, developing rational, novel ways for treatment airways diseases. Research into cystic fibrosis is a major focal point of the Center, but other major human airways diseases also are studied. This includes asthma, primary ciliary dyskinesia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Position Summary
The Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct independent and collaborative research focused on the development, optimization, and validation of advanced in vitro systems for aerosol and inhalation exposure delivery of xenobiotics. Responsibilities include designing and performing experiments using relevant airway and respiratory cell culture models, maintaining and expanding tissue culture systems, and ensuring rigorous experimental quality control and reproducibility.
Additional duties include investigation of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of inhaled compounds, as well as toxicological assessment of aerosols and inhaled agents using human relevant in vitro platforms. The Postdoc will analyze and interpret complex datasets, integrate findings across experimental systems, and contribute to translational applications of exposure and toxicity modeling. This position will also involve mentoring and training undergraduate students, graduate students, medical students, and junior trainees in laboratory techniques, experimental design, data analysis, and responsible conduct of research. The Postdoc is expected to actively participate in the preparation of manuscripts for peer reviewed publication and the development of grant proposals, including contributing to study design, data presentation, and written sections of applications. This individual will work closely with the PI and interdisciplinary collaborators, contribute to lab meetings and scientific discussions, and support the overall research mission of the Marsico Lung Institute.
Minimum Education And Experience Requirements
PhD in Environmental Medicine, Toxicology or related field
Required Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience
Ideal candidates will possess excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to work in a highly collaborative team environment.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience
Relevant lab experience highly preferred.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
N/A
Special Instructions
For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/316656
Posting Contact Information
Department Contact Name and Title Stephanie Fleming, HR Consultant
Department Contact Telephone or Email stephanie_fleming@med.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.