Posting Information
Posting Details
| Department | ESE – Water Institute – 463002 |
|---|---|
| Posting Open Date | 05/07/2026 |
| Application Deadline | 06/05/2026 |
| Open Until Filled | No |
| Position Type | Postdoctoral Scholar |
| Position Title | Post-Doc Research Associate |
| Vacancy ID | PDS004857 |
| 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 | Dependent on Qualifications |
| Proposed Start Date | 06/01/2026 |
| Estimated Duration of Appointment | 12 Months |
Position Information
| 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 evaluations of WASH in healthcare facility programming. 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 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 more water security 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 across UNC to address critical water and sanitation challenges in 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 a postdoctoral researcher to lead research and projects related to WASH in healthcare facilities.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. * Data management, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), and analysis, including data from field research as well as secondary datasets. * Complex statistical analysis, including longitudinal and time series analysis * Preparation of reports and peer-reviewed manuscripts. * Engagement with international organizations and other partners to support and advance evidence-based decision-making on WASH in healthcare facilities * 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 and will have experience in environmental health, biostatistics, environmental engineering, environmental sciences, epidemiology, public health, or related fields. Candidate should have education and/or experience corresponding to advanced statistical evaluation (e.g., time-series analysis, management of complex longitudinal survey data) 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 WASH in healthcare facilities, monitoring and evaluation. The ideal candidate will also have experience designing, conducting, analyzing, and publishing research, as well as publications in relevant environmental journals. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have interest/experience mentoring junior researchers, including undergraduate and graduate students, and supporting faculty in co-instructing course-based research experiences. |
| Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience | Preferred qualifications, competencies, and experience include: -Data analysis -Modelling -International field work -Mentoring junior researchers -Academic writing. The successful candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills and a strong proficiency in laboratory techniques. |
| 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 the 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 |
| Quick Link | https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/317912 |
Posting Contact Information
| Department Contact Name and Title | Meredith Henderson, HR Team Lead |
|---|---|
| Department Contact Telephone or Email | mmcnamar@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 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. |
| Equal Opportunity Employer Statement | 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. |
Optional and Required Documents
Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae / Resume
- Cover Letter
- List of References
Optional Documents
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
