Research Assistant Professor

Job Details Department: Neurology - 411801 Posting Open Date: 10/27/2026 Open Until Filled: Yes Position Type: Permanent Faculty Working Title: Research Assistant Professor Appointment Type: Fixed Term Faculty Vacancy ID: FAC0006185 Full-time/Part-time: Full-Time Permanent Hours per week: 40 FTE: 1 Position Location: North Carolina, US Hiring Range: Commensurate with Experience Proposed Start Date: 07/01/2027 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 . Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package , paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research. Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond. Education: We prepare tomorrow`s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce. Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research. Position Summary The Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis/ Neuroimmunology Division, is seeking a highly motivated clinician-scientist for a fixed-term faculty position at the rank of Research Assistant Professor of Neurology. This position represents a unique opportunity to develop and lead a robust, externally funded research program focused on multiple sclerosis (MS) and related disorders, while contributing to the continued growth of one of the region’s leading academic neuroimmunology programs. The successful candidate will provide dedicated research leadership to advance clinical, translational, and population-based research in MS and related disorders. A major priority of this position will be the expansion of MS/Neuroimmunology Division’s research portfolio, the development of investigator-initiated studies and federally funded research studies and an increased enrollment in industry-sponsored clinical trials. The faculty member will collaborate extensively with investigators in the UNC MS/Neuroimmunology Division, and across the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health to develop multidisciplinary research programs and attract extramural funding from federal agencies, foundations, and industry partners. In addition to research responsibilities, the faculty member will maintain a clinical practice within the UNC MS/Neuroimmunology Program, providing expert care for patients with immune-mediated central nervous system disorders. In the first 2 years of employment the faculty will maintain 20% clinical effort and have 80% of protected research time. Beyond year 2 of employment, the allocated research effort will depend of faculty securing further research funding support. The successful candidate will contribute substantially to the academic mission of the Department through resident and fellow education, medical student teaching, research mentorship, faculty development, and the recruitment and training of future clinician-scientists. Ideal candidate must possess an MD or MD/PhD degree, have completed residency training in adult or pediatric neurology, and have fellowship training in MS/neuroimmunology and/or autoimmune neurology. Applicants should demonstrate a strong record of scholarly productivity appropriate to their career stage, evidence of existing or emerging potential for extramural funding, and experience in clinical, translational, or population-based research in the field of MS and related disorders. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to research, education, mentorship and multidisciplinary research collaboration and must be able to obtain medical license in the State of North Carolina. Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: MD or MD/PhD physician with bord certification or board eligibility in Neurology or Child Neurology. Fellowship training in Multiple Sclerosis/Neuroimmunology and/or Autoimmune Neurology. Strong record of research productivity appropriate to career stage. Established or emerging extramural funding potential. Experience in clinical, translational, or population-based research. Commitment to education, mentorship, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience: At least 1 year of postdoctoral research training with evidence of independent research. Emerging or established national reputation in the field of MS and neuroimmunology. Strong potential to become an independent National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded investigator. Experience building clinical research infrastructure and growing clinical trial portfolios. Ability to bridge clinical care and scientific discovery through translational research. Vision and leadership capacity to help position UNC as a national leader in MS and neuroimmunology research and clinical care. Campus Security Authority Responsibilities: Not Applicable. Organization The nation’s first public university is at the heart of what’s next, preparing a diverse student body to become creators, explorers, innovators and leaders in North Carolina and throughout the world. Carolina’s nationally recognized, innovative teaching, campus-wide spirit of inquiry and dedication to public service continue the legacy that began in 1795 when the University first opened its doors to students. Here, in one of America's most beautiful college settings, we offer exceptional careers in richly diverse fields. Come explore what UNC-Chapel Hill has to offer you. Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,117 Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,894 Total Student Enrollment: 30,011 Founded: 1789, as the first state university in the United States Type of Institution: Public, four-year Undergraduate Admission: 15,961 Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,039 Total Student Enrollment: 26,000 Faculty: 3,000 Percentage of faculty who hold Ph.D.s or the highest degrees in their field: 94 percent Faculty/student ratio: 1/14 Location: UNC is located in the heart of Chapel Hill, the best college town in America! It's a friendly town of about 40,000 in the geographical center of North Carolina. Chapel Hill is at the western point of the Research Triangle, an area of about one million people, comprised of Chapel Hill, the cities of Durham and Raleigh, and the Research Triangle Park, home of many corporate offices and scientific research centers. Carolina is about 30 miles from the state capital, Raleigh, and 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Chapel Hill's main street, Franklin Street, borders the campus and offers shops, coffee houses, cafés, movie theaters and houses of worship. The town has a historic district, museum, library, parks, malls, and many recreational facilities. Origins of Carolina's students: 82 percent of UNC's freshmen are from North Carolina and 18 percent are from out-of-state. Our students come from 42 different states and our international students represent 37 countries. Size of freshman class: Approximately 3,400 Class size: Barely five percent of undergraduate classes contain more than 100 students; two-thirds of undergraduate classes have fewer than 30 students. Forty-one percent have fewer than 20 students, including First Year Seminars, in which first-year students work closely with professors. Sports and athletic programs: UNC is an NCAA Division I school with 28 varsity teams. Carolina is the proud home of the Dean Smith Center, Kenan Stadium, Carmichael Auditorium, Koury Natatorium, and many other fine athletic facilities. Students join more than 60 intramural and club sports, which include baseball, bowling, crew, golf, lacrosse, rock climbing, rugby, tae kwon do, and ultimate frisbee. The Student Recreation Center offers weight training, aerobics, stair machines, and all the equipment you would expect to find at a great health club! Carolina offers a newly renovated outdoor pool and indoor pools, a golf course, tennis courts, and the longest zipline in America! Number of residence halls: Incoming undergraduates will live in one of Carolina's 29 residence halls, which are wired for Internet access and cable television. housing.unc.edu Scholarships and financial aid: About 40 percent of UNC-Chapel Hill students receive scholarships and/or some form of financial aid. studentaid.unc.edu Special research institutes: Institute for Research in Social Science, Institute of Outdoor Drama, Morehead Planetarium, Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Institute of Government, Institute of African American Research. Career services: On-campus counseling, job fairs, résumé writing service, internships, placement services. www.unc.edu/depts/career Technological facilities: Students find multiple uses for Carolina's state-of-the-art technological resources. They can access Carolina's computer services through Academic Technology and Networks, which manages academic computing, e-mail, microcomputing labs, interactive media presentation, video and classroom support, and a help desk. The MetaLab oversees the development of SunSITE, one of the world's busiest digital library and electronic publishing projects. Students may open e-mail accounts, and many use campus computer resources to construct personal Web pages. Students in residence halls have hardwired network connections to the Internet and cable television in their rooms. At the ATN Training center, students may take classes on software packages and utilities. Computer labs are available for student use all over campus. Carolina Computing Initiative: Beginning with the freshman class of 2000, undergraduates must purchase laptop computers. The University has arranged for IBM to offer computers at excellent prices. Students, faculty, and staff will enjoy cost savings, higher quality compatible equipment, and better technical support through CCI. www.unc.edu/cci The Study Abroad program allows students to live and learn in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Africa, and the Americas. www.unc.edu/depts/abroad The Honors Program offers special seminars, research programs, and the chance to design your own independent studies. www.unc.edu/depts/honors Carolina students spend time in public service through student organizations, the Campus Y, the Carolina Center for Public Service, and courses that incorporate community service. UNC's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a national collegiate honor society, is the oldest in North Carolina, dating from 1904. There are many other honorary societies at Carolina. UNC offers ROTC programs in all branches of national military service. Through the First Year Seminars program, first year students will understand what it means to study at a premier research university. They will learn from faculty members and share in their research in seminars of no more than 20 students. Life outside the classroom: More than 370 clubs, teams, and student organizations offer something for everyone! You can choose from among musical and dramatic performing groups, publications, ethnic and religious clubs, the Campus Y and other service organizations, fraternities and sororities, and pre- professional organizations. Whatever your interests, you will find others at Carolina who share them! www.unc.edu/depts/union/student/listintr.htm