Post-Doc Research Associate

UNC-Chapel Hill • Chapel Hill, NC

17h

About The Position

The Water Institute is recruiting one post-doctoral researcher interested in leading research and projects related to drinking water quality and safety in the rural United States. 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 analysis of water, wastewater, and human biological specimens. 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 environmental health microbiology. Engagement with national and 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.

Requirements

• Well-organized, detail-oriented, able to work independently and with groups, and interested in working on interdisciplinary team science.
• Valuable background and skills include field and laboratory experience in water quality measurement and environmental epidemiology or risk assessment.
• Experience designing, conducting, analyzing, and publishing research.
• Publications in relevant environmental, environmental health, or global health journals.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong proficiency in laboratory techniques.
• Outstanding communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Sampling
• Analysis of microbes via PCR , dPCR, qPCR, culture, and/or metagenomics
• Data analysis including bioinformatics
• Modelling
• Academic writing and communication of results to peers
• Education and/or experience corresponding to mathematics through differential equations
• Microbiology background including environmental microbiology
• Experience with quantitative analysis of environmental and/or human health data.

Responsibilities

• 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 analysis of water, wastewater, and human biological specimens.
• 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 environmental health microbiology.
• Engagement with national and 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level