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.

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 UNC HIV Cure Center and The Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invite applications for Postdoctoral Research Fellows. The UNC HIV Cure Center is focused on the discovery, development, and implementation of new treatments to allow durable treatment-free remission of HIV infection. The HIV Cure Center is supported by University and federal funds and by a public-private partnership between the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and private companies. The Center seeks to co-mingle academic and industry approaches, redefining research and seeking the breakthroughs needed to tackle this extraordinarily challenging global health issue.

We are seeking research technicians and highly motivated, independent, and dynamic postdoctoral research fellows to undertake studies at the UNC HIV Cure Center, specifically in a project seeking to understand HIV persistence and eradication strategies for the cure of HIV. The UNC HIV Cure Center is a multi-disciplinary research center with various current translational studies. Our laboratory is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms of HIV latency and persistent HIV infection-associated complications. We seek to discover new anti- HIV latency therapeutic targets that will ultimately lead to the eradication of HIV, including kick and kill, direct killing, and deep latency. Various HIV latency models will be used in these studies, including in vitro and ex vivo cellular models of latency and ART-suppressed rhesus macaque models of latency. Tissues ( CNS and peripheral compartments) isolated from people with HIV on ART, SIV/rhesus macaques, and HIV/hu-mice will also be studied.

A Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology, virology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, biophysics, brain/neuroscience, or a related field.

Experience in HIV/ AIDS and/or other infectious diseases.
Experience in Epigenetics and single-cell omics background.

The ideal candidate will have experience and interest in cellular and/or animal models of SIV/ HIV infection or other viral infection models with expertise in flow cytometry, tissue culture, and cellular immunology to facilitate translational research at the clinical/basic science interface. He/she should also be proficient in microscopy techniques and immunostaining. Preference will be given to candidates with extensive experience in tissue processing, primary cell culture, flow cytometry, and molecular biology/biochemistry techniques such as co-immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, qPCR/RT-qPCR/ddPCR, and western blot analysis. Single-cell omics (scRNA-seq, ATAC-seq, etc.) training in T-cell biology and/or neurobiology will be a plus. Candidates should also have strong laboratory and analytical skills as demonstrated by a strong track record of relevant first-author publications (postdoc) or co-authored publications (technician) in well-respected journals. Outstanding communication skills in English are essential for this position.

Must possess flexibility, mobility, and strength to store and access research samples, reagents, and supplies. Needs to have the physical ability to perform many varied tasks; i.e., fine motor skills, excellent hand-eye coordination, and a high level of concentration to do challenging techniques.

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.