Post-Doc 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 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. 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.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to be the nation's leading public school of medicine. We are ranked 2nd in primary care education among all US schools of medicine and 5th among public peers in NIH research funding. Our Allied Health Department is home to five top-ranked divisions, and we are home to 18 top-ranked clinical and basic science departments in NIH research funding.
OUR MISSION
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 will 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 will prepare tomorrow's health care professionals and biomedical researchers by facilitating learning within innovative curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education. We will cultivate outstanding teaching and research faculty, and we will recruit outstanding students and trainees from highly diverse backgrounds to create a socially responsible, highly skilled workforce.
Research: We will develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers, and resources. We will provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our University to support outstanding research. We will foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic, and population research.

This is a postdoctoral position that provides training for the next generation of scientists in environmental health and toxicology. There is a large and diverse inventory of inhalable chemicals with little to no data available for safety evaluation; however, addressing these data gaps using traditional in vivo animal studies is impractical due to their high cost, low throughput, and concerns regarding their biological relevance.

This research project will combine in vitro exposure technology (aerosol-compatible cell culture exposure system [ ACCES]), organotypic in vitro models of the human respiratory tract, and an assay battery that will evaluate endpoints representing AOP-driven key events such as cytotoxicity, cell metabolism, epithelial barrier function, and cytokine production. In addition, the project aims accomplish benchmark dose ( BMD) modeling of transcriptomic changes to determine portal of entry points of departure. There will also be opportunities for the research participant to contribute to the development high-resolution mass spectrometry methods to quantify dose deposition, cellular uptake, and metabolism to provide missing dose-metrics for ALI exposures.
The research participant will have the opportunity to collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team of toxicologists, biologists, chemists, and engineers and will utilize molecular, analytical, and computational approaches for in vitro assay development. With guidance from the mentor, the research participant will contribute to developing methods, executing lab-based experiments, and generating, analyzing, and reporting data. Preferred areas of specialized training or experience include: ALI cell culture, cell-based assay development, and pathway analysis of transcriptomic datasets.

PhD on related field.

The postdoc considered for this position should have between 0 and 3 years of post-doctoral experience. The trainee must have a PhD degree in biochemistry, toxicology, molecular biology or a closely related discipline. Formal education and research experience in air pollution and/or chemical safety research with focus on experimental systems that define health outcomes will enhance the research experience.

Formal education and research experience in cell culture technique and molecular analysis of responses are desirable.
Demonstrated education and/or experience in cellular toxicity testing with particular focus on inhalation toxicology and in vitro exposure systems are preferred.
Additional interest in computational biology and pathway analysis with associated experience in commercial software applications is appreciated.
Mammalian cell culture, preferably air-liquid interface ( ALI) cell culture and organotypic airway models.
Development and optimization of cell-based toxicity assays.
Benchmark dose modeling and pathway analysis of transcriptomic datasets.
Operation and maintenance of ALI exposure systems.
Experience in conducting PFAS inhalation exposure.
Analytical chemistry experience in extraction and preparation of cell and tissue samples for LC-MS analysis.
Ability to coordinate exposure schedules and data distribution.
Data management, including written reports of laboratory activities, instrument status, system modifications, and data summaries.
Present data and results in internal meetings and/or professional conferences.
Contribute to formal publication of research findings through public reports or journal articles.
Good interpersonal and language skills.

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 of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.