Post-Doc Research Associate

University of North Carolina, United States

Updated: about 6 hours ago
Location: Chapel Hill, NORTH CAROLINA
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: ; ;

Posting Information
Posting Details


Department ESE - Water Institute - 463002
Posting Open Date 05/12/2022
Application Deadline
Open Until Filled Yes
Position Type Postdoctoral Scholar
Position Title Post-Doc Research Associate
Vacancy ID PDS003468
Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Temporary
Hours per week 40
FTE 1
Work Location Chapel Hill, NC
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range $50,000-$70,000
Proposed Start Date 09/01/2022
Estimated Duration of Appointment 12 Months

Position Information


Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The Water Institute at University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill seeks to mobilize the knowledge, expertise and resources that exist across UNC to address local and global water challenges. The Institute works at the nexus of research, policy, and practice – using science and evidence to change the way the world works on water. The Institute sits within the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (ESE) in the Gillings School of Global Public Health (GSGPH) the top public school of public health in the United States. This gives the Water Institute a direct connection to some of the world’s leading experts in water chemistry and microbiology, water resources management, environmental engineering, and public health working to address the world’s biggest and most pressing water and health challenges through implementation science, community-based research, evidence-based decision-making, and strategic policy review in more than 60 countries around the world.
Position Summary
The Water Institute at UNC is seeking a talented, energetic, and motivated, post-doctoral researcher to lead research and projects related to drinking water safety – in particular, issues related to testing, monitoring, and management of under-recognized contaminants in drinking water in low- and middle-income countries, with an emphasis on lead and toxic metals. This work may include:
* Design, implementation, and evaluation of field research
* Remote and in-person support, training, and/or supervision of field teams on projects
* Development of training materials related to water quality monitoring and analysis with an emphasis on lead and toxic metals in drinking water
* Data management and analysis, including data from field research as well as secondary datasets
* Preparation of reports and peer-reviewed manuscripts
* Development and teaching of short courses/trainings related to water quality monitoring and analysis
* Engagement with international organizations and other partners to support the development of normative guidelines for improving drinking water quality
* Collaboration with researchers, students, staff, and faculty at the Water Institute, in the department of environmental sciences and engineering, and in other departments and centers at UNC and beyond.
Post-doctoral researchers also have opportunities to engage in other areas of Water Institute activity including teaching, knowledge management and networking and communication.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
The candidate will have undertaken studies and been awarded a PhD in public health, water resources management, environmental engineering, or a related field. Candidates expecting a PhD within 3 months may also be considered. The successful candidate will have experience relevant to water quality monitoring and analysis, water safety, analytical chemistry, and/or biostatistics, data science, or data analysis; this experience should be relevant and/or transferrable to characterizing drinking water quality in a variety of settings with an emphasis on low- and middle-income countries.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
* Working knowledge of fundamental chemistry including basic analytical chemistry methods
* Knowledge of standard laboratory best practices including some familiarity with standard methods for the analysis of lead and toxic metals in water, as well as basic quality assurance/quality control methods.
* Ability to read, synthesize, and communicate peer-reviewed evidence in environmental engineering and public health literatures, as well as grey literature including government reports, program evaluations, etc.
* Ability to effectively communicate and present research results in written and verbal formats
* Working knowledge of basic statistics/biostatistics adequate to conduct sample size calculations, regressions, hypothesis testing, etc.
* Familiarity with at least one software package suitable for data analysis (e.g. R, STATA, MATLAB, SPSS, SAS, Python, etc.)
* Ability to work in office, laboratory, and field settings as needed
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Preferred candidates will have a strong publication record for their career stage, strong oral and written communication skills, a history of successful grant writing, management of field work in low- and middle-income countries, and proven team-working skills. Past experience with water quality testing for trace metals, such as lead, in drinking water would be a plus. Further qualifications and experience may be relevant dependent on project requirements. Strong conceptual and analytical skills in addition to those specified above are also helpful; for example, experience with GIS software and geospatial data analysis is desirable (but not required). . Ability to travel domestically or internationally up to 25% as needed is preferred. Knowledge of one or more UN languages in addition to English (e.g. Spanish, French, Arabic, Mandarin, etc.) is a plus as well.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Special Instructions
For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here
Inclusive Excellence is a core value at the Gillings School of Global Public Health. We expect our faculty and staff to actively contribute to fostering an academic workplace climate that is welcoming and supportive for all.
Please indicate in your cover letter how you might contribute to an inclusive climate at Gillings.
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/229865

Posting Contact Information


Department Contact Name and Title Tiffany Harper, HR Consultant
Department Contact Telephone or Email tiffany_harper@unc.edu
Postdoctoral Affairs Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity office at (919) 966-3576 or send an email to equalopportunity@unc.edu.

Please note: The Equal Employment Opportunity office will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
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.

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