Post-Doc Research Associate
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Job Info

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Department:

ESE - Water Institute - 463002

Posting Open Date:

01/17/2024

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Position Type:

Postdoctoral Scholar

Position Title:

Post-Doc Research Associate

Vacancy ID:

PDS004075

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:

47,476 - 68,000

Proposed Start Date:

03/04/2024

Estimated Duration of Appointment:

12 Months

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 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.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

The Water Institute is recruiting an exceptional candidate for a postdoctoral research fellowship in environmental sciences and engineering. The fellow will join an exciting group of interdisciplinary researchers working on water, sanitation, and global environmental health. The fellow's primary role will be to lead and support water quality research and lead the development of trainings and short courses on water quality monitoring and analysis.

The Water Institute at UNC was created in 2009 and is hosted within the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering within the Gillings School of Public Health - the number one public, public health school in the United States and is broadly recognized as one of the world's leading research institutions on water, sanitation, and hygiene issues.

Our goal, is to contribute to a more water secure by advancing scientific research, developing policy, and using evidence to inform practice. The Institute also serves as a platform for mobilizing the knowledge, expertise, and resources that exist across UNC to address critical water and sanitation challenges within the U.S and abroad.

The Water Institute includes a core staff and researchers and a network of experts and faculty members throughout the University that lead and drive research on areas related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation, water resources management, and transboundary water. It also hosts the annual Water and Health Conference which has become the largest annual international event on drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Position Summary:

The Water Institute is recruiting one post-doctoral researcher interested in leading research and projects related to drinking water quality and 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 and/or laboratory 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, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) and analysis, including data from field research, laboratory experiments 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, including with a toxic metals working group and with partners on a new global initiative on addressing lead in drinking water (www.GlobalLeadFreeWater.org).
* 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.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

The post-doctoral fellow will have received a PhD, DrPH, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree with experience in environmental health, environmental chemistry, environmental engineering, environmental sciences, environmental microbiology, epidemiology, public health, or related fields.

Candidate should have education and/or experience corresponding to mathematics through differential equations, a chemistry background including inorganic and analytical chemistry, and experience with quantitative analysis of environmental data.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

Well-organized, detail-oriented, able to work independently and with groups, and interested in working on interdisciplinary team science. Valuable background and skills include international field experience on water quality research, monitoring and evaluation.

The ideal candidate will also have experience designing, conducting, analyzing, and publishing research, and will have publications in relevant environmental journals.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

Preferred qualifications, competencies and experience include:

-Sampling
-Analysis of inorganic chemicals in environmental samples by ICP-MS or related methods
-Data analysis
-Modelling
-International field work
-Academic writing

The successful candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills and a record of publishing in leading peer-reviewed journals. Strong proficiency in laboratory techniques and outstanding communication skills are essential for this position.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements :

While we are an academic institution and novel research and publications are a part of what we do, our goal is to use the evidence we gather and develop to inform practice and policy (i.e. we are focused on using our science to achieve changes in how the world works on the ground). You will be expected to work alongside implementing partners, with UN and other organizations, and with other UNC faculty to respond to real-world challenges and deliver better services in real world settings.

Special Instructions:

For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here

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