Postdoctoral Researcher

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.

The UNC School of Education , one of the longest-standing professional schools at the nation's first public university, ranks among the top schools of education in the U.S. and offers a full range of degree programs, from undergraduate to doctorate; forward-thinking certificate and licensure programs; and in-person, online, and HyFlex offerings. Faculty members generate knowledge across a number of fields, including human development, educational technology and entrepreneurship, teaching and learning, school counseling, school psychology, administration, educational policy and leadership, and more; they also prepare students to become the most highly effective educators to lead in classrooms, schools, districts and beyond, as well as future scholars and researchers.

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 School of Education is an academic unit reporting to the Provost. The School is a major center of research, teaching, and public service within the State of North Carolina, the nation, and the world. The School offers a full range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The mission of the School of Education is to conduct research, and generate basic and applied knowledge about human development, educational technology and entrepreneurship, teaching and learning, school counseling, school psychology, administration, as well as educational policy and leadership; prepare leaders in the profession of education by conducting outstanding research, teaching, and service; and assist in the development of strong and effective public schools in North Carolina. In order to fulfill its mission, the School is organized into three academic divisions: (1) Culture, Curriculum, & Teacher Education ( CCATE), (2) Learning, Development & Psychological Sciences ( LDPS), and (3) Educational Policy, Organization, & Leadership ( EPOL).

The School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invite applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Applied Developmental Sciences and Special Education. The postdoctoral position is funded by the National Science Foundation ( NSF) project Knowledge Exchange for Supporting Youth with or at Risk for Mathematics Difficulty (Project KEY, PI: Jessica Rodrigues). The NSF-funded Postdoctoral Researcher will work with Dr. Jessica Rodrigues and join Dr. Rodrigues' Mathematics Potential Lab as a lab member and a mentor to student researchers. This is a 12-month position, with potential for extension to 2 years subject to performance and continued grant funding.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will contribute to an established research program at the intersection of K-6 mathematics learning, special education, and research-practice communication. The Postdoctoral Researcher will play a central role in the NSF-funded Project KEY, contributing to study design, teacher participant recruitment, data collection, data analysis, and research dissemination. As a leading member of the Mathematics Potential Lab, the researcher will mentor graduate and undergraduate students in STEM education research while advancing their own scholarly agenda in a collaborative, supportive environment. The position includes support for career advancement through direct mentorship from Dr. Rodrigues, including guidance toward competitive early career award opportunities, grant writing development, and access to professional development opportunities.

Startup funds to purchase research equipment/software for use during the duration of employment and for professional development opportunities are available.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

Successful candidates will provide evidence of a strong background in special education, mathematics education, learning sciences, or a related field, experience or capability with both qualitative and quantitative research and methods, interest in serving as a research mentor to undergraduate and graduate student researchers, and effective communication and collaboration skills.

Experience or capability in grant writing; experience collaborating with K-6 teachers

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.