Post-Doc Research Associate

Posting Details

Department

Pathology Lab Med - Research

Posting Open Date

12/17/2025

Application Deadline

Open Until Filled

Yes

Position Type

Postdoctoral Scholar

Position Title

Post-Doc Research Associate - Bowser and Vaziri Labs

Vacancy ID

PDS

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

Salary will be commensurate with NIH rate

Proposed Start Date

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

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 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a collaborative, co-mentored research program between the laboratories of Dr. Cyrus Vaziri and Dr. Jessica Bowser. The successful candidate will investigate fundamental mechanisms of the DNA damage response (DDR), cell cycle regulation, and their implications for genome stability, cancer biology, and therapeutic response. This position offers the unique benefit of dual academic mentorship, along with industry-relevant experience through collaborations with Dr. Kenneth Pearce, Director, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery (UNC) and Dr. Blake Rushing, Associate Director, Metabolomics and Exposome Laboratory (UNC). These collaborations will provide the candidate with access to complementary expertise, resources, and scientific perspectives across multiple disciplines.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Ph.D. in a biological science or related discipline, or equivalent degree, with strong background in molecular and cell biology.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Knowledge
Subject-specific knowledge: A strong and evolving base of knowledge in DNA damage and cell cycle fields.
Research methods: Independence and expertise in designing experiments, collecting data, and performing necessary techniques.
Responsible conduct of research: Familiarity with ethical guidelines, regulations, and policies governing research.
Funding and publishing: Understanding the processes for securing grants and publishing findings in scientific journals.

Skills
Communication: Ability to communicate effectively through writing (manuscripts) and speaking (seminars, presentations) to various audiences.
Data analysis and statistics: Proficiency with statistical software (e.g., GraphPad Prism) and strong analytical skills.
Technical skills: Molecular techniques (e.g., cloning, gene editing, protein biochemistry and imaging, flow cytometry, cell culture, etc.). Ability to learn new techniques quickly and efficiently. Ability to troubleshoot.
Project management: Ability to manage time, projects, and resources effectively.
Scientific writing: Ability to write manuscripts and assist with text/figures for grant proposals.

Abilities
Adaptability and resilience: The capacity to adapt to new research directions, technologies, and work environments.
Independent work: The ability to work independently, devise hypotheses, and drive your own research.
Problem-solving and critical thinking: Analytical ability to identify problems and find effective solutions.
Collaboration: Working effectively in interdisciplinary and collaborative teams.
Leadership and management: Skills to manage a project, collaborate with others, and facilitate teamwork.
Professionalism: reliable, accountable, and committed to doing what's right.
Goal-orientation and professional maturity: Understanding that this position emphasizes achieving research milestones and deliverables (e.g., manuscripts, grant applications) and making steady progress toward your professional goals.
Management: capable of performing tasks relating to lab management, including ordering, ensuring EHS compliance, maintaining appropriate stocks and orderly records of reagents, supplies, and consumables in the lab.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Preference will be given to applicants with experience in DNA damage and cell cycle fields.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements