"SPIRE Post-Doc Research Associate"

Job Details

Department: Psychology and Neuroscience - 319100

Posting Open Date: 09/25/2025

Application Deadline: 10/08/2025

Open Until Filled: No

Position Type: Postdoctoral Scholar

Position Title: SPIRE Post-Doc Research Associate

Vacancy ID: PDS004651

Full-time/Part-time: Full-Time Temporary

Hours per week: 40

FTE: 1

Work Location: Chapel Hill, NC

Position Location: North Carolina, US

Estimated Duration of Appointment: 12 Months

Position Summary:

The SPIRE Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is a training experience where primary research is conducted at UNC Chapel Hill and teaching responsibilities are carried out at partner institutions in North Carolina. The postdoctoral scholar will provide contributions to research progress in a laboratory research environment selected across a range of areas aligned with the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) research priorities. Opportunities to tailor the experience to meet individual training needs and professional goals include participation in formal teaching, professional development workshops, and the development of specific research, teaching, and other career related competencies.

SPIRE training includes a pedagogical workshop series, IDPs and annual evaluations, and regular participation in training seminars. The SPIRE Postdoctoral Scholar will perform original, independent research in the lab setting of their choice at UNC-Chapel Hill; work closely with Principal Investigators who provide guidance and mentoring on research projects; publish in peer-reviewed journals, presenting research findings at national and international conferences and participating in journal clubs and laboratory meetings; teach courses at one of four of the program’s partner universities; and engage in professional development that leads to academic careers.

The Seeding Postdoctoral Innovators in Research & Education (SPIRE) Program is administratively housed in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at UNC Chapel Hill. SPIRE’s mission is to provide multi-dimensional professional development for science researchers and educators to succeed in academic careers, to bring engaging teaching methods into the classroom.

The four major components of the SPIRE Postdoctoral Fellowship Program include research, teaching, professional development, and additional opportunities over a three-year period. The SPIRE Postdoctoral Fellowship Program was one of the first grantees to receive funding in 1999 from the Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA) program.

The primary goals of SPIRE are: 1) To provide scholars with both high-quality research training and the opportunity to develop research-based teaching skills that will inspire students across the sciences. 2) To promote effective teaching and research partnerships between research intensive institutions and partner institutions by investing in tomorrow’s science scholars and educators and providing them with a holistic approach to postgraduate professional development. SPIRE strives to blend an outstanding research environment with broad professional development activities and hands-on classroom experiences for those scientists who want to combine research with undergraduate and graduate education.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Candidates must have completed all requirements for the Ph.D. or MD from an accredited program before entering SPIRE.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

Preference will be given to candidates who have a background in biological and biomedical sciences that align with NIGMS research priorities, interest in teaching. Candidates must have completed all degree requirements before starting the program and have no more than 2 years of current postdoctoral experience as of September 2025

Special Instructions:

We ask that applicants upload a cover letter and CV. See website http://spire.unc.edu/apply/ for eligibility and instructions on content required in cover letter. Three letters of reference (in PDF format) should be emailed directly to Dr. Rybarczyk: brybar@unc.edu