Research Scientist

Department:

Globl Hlth and Infect Disease-427801

Career Area :

Research Professionals

Posting Open Date:

08/19/2025

Application Deadline:

09/02/2025

Open Until Filled:

No

Position Type:

Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title:

Research Scientist

Appointment Type:

EHRA Non-Faculty

Position Number:

20071714

Vacancy ID:

NF0009243

Full Time/Part Time:

Full-Time Permanent

FTE:

1

Hours per week:

40

Position Location:

North Carolina, US

Hiring Range:

$55,100 - $85,000

Proposed Start Date:

08/25/2025

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 nations top public universities . Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package , paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

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.

Position Summary:

The Research Scientist position supports research in a translational, molecular epidemiology laboratory focused on malaria, syphilis, hepatitis, and other diseases of global health significance. This position will include management of a vector xenosurveillance initiative that involves protocol development and collaboration across diverse partners, including entomologists, molecular epidemiologists, and experts in artificial intelligence, as well as coordination across multiple field sites in the US and abroad. Duties will include but are not limited to, carefully managing protocol and product development timelines; development of detailed, reproducible laboratory and field protocols that can be used in varied settings; coordinating regular meetings amongst partners; analyzing data for regular summary and technical reports; engaging foreign partners; manuscript and proposal writing; and other project-related activities as needed. Occasional international travel may be required. Because this position is heavily focused on integrating advanced laboratory methods, field collections of insect vectors, and comprehensive reporting that includes diverse data streams, experience in infectious disease laboratory and translational research projects is desired.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity or professional-level institutional planning/assessment experience, will accept a relevant Bachelors degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

• Experience conducting and supporting infectious disease laboratory and field research in resource-constrained settings.
• Experience managing large cross-institutional projects.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

• Experience conducting advanced infectious disease laboratory techniques.
• Experience with next-generation sequencing and analysis.
• Experience with detailed laboratory and/or field protocol development, optimization, and implementation in resource-constrained settings.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with manuscript preparation.
• Attention to detail, including achieving stated objectives according to strict timelines.
• Previous experience working in a highly collaborative, fast-paced research environment, ideally involving vector-borne diseases.
• Previous experience working with international partners, particularly those in resource-constrained environments.
• Experience with infectious disease project support and management.
• Previous experience developing user-friendly (AI-based) tools for infectious disease detection.
• Strong record of protocol, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and methods development.
• Experience with Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing and analysis.
• Experience collecting, organizing, and analyzing high-volume data.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements:

• Ability to perform varied tasks, including challenging laboratory methods requiring precise manipulation of minimal volumes, data management, and analysis.
• Ability to store and access research samples, reagents, and supplies as needed to support projects.
• Ability to attend meetings outside of regular working hours to accommodate foreign partners when required.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:

Not Applicable.