Post-Doc Research Associate

Post-Doc Research Associate

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

The appointment will be for two years. Interested candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, including a complete list of publications, a statement of research interests of no more than two pages, and the names of three references willing to provide letters of recommendation.


For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here

Posting Information

Posting Details

Department	Physics and Astronomy - 319000
Posting Open Date	09/25/2026
Application Deadline	03/23/2027
Open Until Filled	No
Position Type	Postdoctoral Scholar
Position Title	Post-Doc Research Associate
Vacancy ID	PDS004978
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
Proposed Start Date	08/16/2027
Estimated Duration of Appointment	24 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 primary mission is providing instruction of the highest quality in physics and astronomy to undergraduate and graduate students at UNC-CH. Training in physics is fundamental among the natural sciences because it provides understanding of the forces governing the structure of matter, from subatomic particles to the large-scale structure of the universe. Our departmental instructional mission spans all segments of the student community. Over 60% of all college graduates from UNC-CH have taken a course in our department. Among them: undergraduate liberal arts majors who should master the power of quantitative reasoning; undergraduates seeking a degree in another of the natural sciences, who need physics as a foundation for their advanced scientific training; the small number of undergraduates who major in physics, to whom we provide broad and rigorous training. Our graduate education and research advances frontiers of knowledge at the two extremes of space and time, from the very small) the realm of particle physics) to the very large (the realm of astronomy, while expanding the boundaries of knowledge in the many subfields spanning length scales between. Forefront physics and astronomy research requires access to well-equipped laboratories and extensive computing capabilities; it also must be supported by comprehensive and accessible library collections. Again, in research at this advanced level, the bridging aspect of physics provides basic interdisciplinary insight for many other sciences. This instructional mission is supported by a strong managerial, administrative, and technical staff. Duties of these employees range from budget planning and management for the numerous research grants held by faculty in the department to maintaining course and student records. These activities are usually accomplished in a standard 40- hour week schedule.
Position Summary	In 2024, the National Science Foundation inaugurated a Focused Research Hub in Theoretical Physics, ‘Advancing the Theory of Nuclear Double Beta-decay (@NDB)’. The @NDB Hub involves theoretical physicists and statisticians at the University of North Carolina, Colorado State University, Los Alamos National Laboratory, the University of Maryland, Miami University, Michigan State University, the University of Notre Dame, Ohio University, the University of Tennessee, the University of Washington, and Washington University in St. Louis. The @NDB Hub anticipates hiring a post-doctoral research fellow who will join the project in September 2027 and be located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Research will be supervised by Prof. Amy Nicholson, and will involve the use of lattice QCD for computing observables relevant to nuclear double beta-decay. Applicants should have a strong research record, preferably in lattice QCD and Nuclear Theory. @NDB fellows will have many opportunities to interact with theorists at the other institutions, including with statisticians to improve uncertainty quantification in theoretical research on double-beta decay.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements	PhD in Theoretical Physics
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience	Applicants should have a strong research record, preferably in lattice QCD and Nuclear Theory.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience	Lattice QCD and Nuclear Theory
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Special Instructions	The appointment will be for two years. Interested candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, including a complete list of publications, a statement of research interests of no more than two pages, and the names of three references willing to provide letters of recommendation. For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here
Quick Link	https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/326028

Posting Contact Information

Department Contact Name and Title	Amy Nicholson, Associate Professor
Department Contact Telephone or Email	[email protected]
Postdoctoral Affairs Contact Information	If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at (919) 962-9982 or send an email to [email protected]. Please note: The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement	The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Optional and Required Documents

Required Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae / Resume
2. List of References
3. Research Statement

Optional Documents

1. Cover Letter

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).