Postdoctoral 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 UNC School of Medicine has a rich tradition of excellence and care. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing 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. We strive to promote faculty, staff, and learner development in a diverse, respectful environment where our colleagues demonstrate professionalism, enhance learning, and create personal and professional sustainability. We optimize our partnership with the UNC Health System through close collaboration and commitment to service.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will focus on muco-obstructive lung disease, including the biology and physiology of airway secretions in general and mucus in particular, and how the properties of these secretions relate to mucus transport in the mammalian lung in health and disease. Core research activities will involve in vivo and in vitro measurement of mucus biophysical properties, coupled with measurements of mucus transport, which may include particle transport assays and optical coherence tomography. Related work may include single-cell RNA/ ATAC sequencing, RNA in situ hybridization, and CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing in primary human large- and small-airway epithelial cells. The Postdoctoral Research Associate may also contribute to studies of bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, asthma, and COPD, using new immune-epithelial-mesenchymal co-culture models; perturbation approaches to define region-specific transcriptional regulation of epithelial homeostasis; characterization of sputum and mucus properties from human samples; and spatial transcriptomics/proteomics and morphological analysis of human lung tissue.

PhD in Medicine or Respiratory Medicine and at least two years of experience in Respiratory Medicine

Ability to perform the basic science research of human pulmonary disease.

Preferred qualifications include:

N/A

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.