University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Postdoctoral Research Associate in Water, Environmental Health, and Microbiology University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in United States
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Environmental Science
Funding
Full-time temporary postdoctoral appointment with a listed annual hiring range of $62,000–$70,000. UNC-Chapel Hill provides comprehensive medical and vision coverage, paid leave, and postdoctoral benefits and services. The appointment is estimated at 12 months, typically renewable annually based on satisfactory performance and funding availability for up to three years.
Deadline
Nov 27, 2026
Country
United States
University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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About this position
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is recruiting a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct interdisciplinary research at the intersection of water and health within the UNC Water Institute and the Gillings School of Global Public Health.
Projects may address novel disinfection technologies, environmental health microbiology, quantitative microbial risk assessment, drinking water, wastewater, and other environmental matrices. Research will involve field- and laboratory-based studies and trials in the United States and internationally, in collaboration with engineers, microbiologists, epidemiologists, public health practitioners, students, and partner communities.
Responsibilities include experimental design and execution, environmental sample collection, microbiological and analytical characterization, data analysis, manuscript and proposal preparation, mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, and participation in other postdoctoral training activities. Preferred expertise includes pathogen detection and quantification, culture- and molecular-based methods, microbial source tracking, water quality, wastewater surveillance, disinfection, environmental risk assessment, environmental epidemiology, and field research in international or low-resource settings.
A Ph.D. in environmental engineering, environmental science, environmental health microbiology, civil engineering, public health, or a related discipline is required. Applicants should provide a CV or resume, cover letter, references, writing or research sample, and one example of a first-author publication.
The position is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States. The hiring range is $62,000–$70,000 per year, with medical and vision coverage, paid leave, and other postdoctoral benefits. The estimated appointment is 12 months and may be renewed annually for up to three years, subject to performance and funding. The application deadline is November 27, 2026.
Funding details
Full-time temporary postdoctoral appointment with a listed annual hiring range of $62,000–$70,000. UNC-Chapel Hill provides comprehensive medical and vision coverage, paid leave, and postdoctoral benefits and services. The appointment is estimated at 12 months, typically renewable annually based on satisfactory performance and funding availability for up to three years.
What's required
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in environmental engineering, environmental science, environmental health microbiology, civil engineering, public health, or a closely related field. Candidates should be organized, detail-oriented, able to work independently and collaboratively, and interested in interdisciplinary team science. Valuable or preferred experience includes international field research; impact evaluation of water and sanitation programs; environmental health microbiology; pathogen detection and quantification using culture-based or molecular methods; microbial source tracking; quantitative microbial risk assessment; environmental epidemiology; disinfection technologies; water quality or wastewater surveillance; field-based trials in international or low-resource settings; research design, analysis, and publication; strong written and oral communication; and mentoring junior researchers. Applicants must submit a CV or resume, cover letter, list of references, writing or research sample, and one example of a first-author publication.
How to apply
Apply through the UNC-Chapel Hill PeopleAdmin posting and submit a CV or resume, cover letter, list of references, writing or research sample, and one first-author publication example. Review the postdoctoral benefits information before applying.
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.