"Post-Doc Research Associate"

Job Details

Department: Biostatistics - 462001

Posting Open Date: 05/15/2025

Open Until Filled: Yes

Position Type: Postdoctoral Scholar

Position Title: Post-Doc Research Associate

Vacancy ID: PDS004531

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: 09/01/2025

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 Department of Biostatistics (BIOS) is internationally recognized as a leader in Biostatistics research and training. It is one of eight departments in the Gillings School of Global Public Health whose mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of the population. This mission is accomplished through the interaction of teaching, research and service. The department is one of the largest, most complex departments on campus. For FY19, Biostatistics, was 4th among all departments and centers across campus in research funding at UNC Chapel Hill and currently has almost 300 employees. The Department operates a $46 million sponsored research budget (FY19), a 1.7-million-dollar state budget, a 1.0-million-dollar F&A budget and spends roughly 3.0 million in trust funds annually. The Department has 55 EHRA and EHRA Non-Faculty members, 74 permanent staff members and 162 temporary employees. The Department has 235 students (184 graduate students and 51 undergraduate students). The Department of Biostatistics is housed in three different locations: administrative and faculty offices, including a suite of offices for graduate students in McGavran-Greenberg Hall; the Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center (CSCC) at Carolina Square; and the Carolina Survey Research Laboratory (CSRL) at Bolin Creek Center.

Position Summary: Are you ready to impact the future of statistical methodology for neurodegenerative diseases? Led by Dr. Tanya Garcia, recipient of the 2024 NIH Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship, the MIND (Methods for Incomplete Neurological Data) Lab at UNC-Chapel Hill brings together biostatisticians and neuroscientists to advance methods that accurately estimate disease progression. These methods are designed to help clinician-scientists build well-powered clinical trials and pinpoint the best windows for intervention—ensuring that experimental therapies can slow disease progression before irreversible damage takes place. During your training, you will work closely with Dr. Yanyuan Ma (Professor of Statistics, Penn State) and Dr. Karen Marder (Professor of Neurology, Columbia University). Join the MIND Lab and grow your creativity and confidence with a training experience that mixes high research standards with the freedom to learn, discover, and enjoy science. Applications from individuals with a Ph.D. in statistics, biostatistics, or a related field are welcomed. For more information about the MIND lab, visit: https://tpgarcia.github.io/

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Applicants must have completed all PhD requirements prior to starting work. The expected start of the position is from September 2025.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience: Expertise in semiparametric/nonparametric methods. (Additional experience in longitudinal data analysis and survival analysis is advantageous.) Ability to develop statistical methods and derive their theoretical properties, including proficiency in proving asymptotic properties. Ability to implement, test, and document statistical methods in R. Ability to analyze real-world datasets. Ability to write and publish scientific research papers, preferably in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience: You are receptive to feedback and act on it thoughtfully. You ask questions and actively seek opportunities to learn. You take full ownership of projects, ensuring completion and quality. You seek help when needed, offer support to others, and actively engage in problem-solving with the team. You embrace setbacks as part of the learning process and strive for excellence, not perfection.

Special Instructions: For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here.