Post-Doc Research Associate

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.

The UNC School of Medicine has a rich tradition of excellence and care. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing 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. We strive to promote faculty, staff, and learner development in a diverse, respectful environment where our colleagues demonstrate professionalism, enhance learning, and create personal and professional sustainability. We optimize our partnership with the UNC Health System through close collaboration and commitment to service.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to be the nation's leading public school of medicine. We are ranked 2nd in primary care education among all US schools of medicine and 5th among public peers in NIH research funding. Our Allied Health Department is home to five top-ranked divisions, and we are home to 18 top-ranked clinical and basic science departments in NIH research funding.
OUR MISSION
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 will 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 will prepare tomorrow's health care professionals and biomedical researchers by facilitating learning within innovative curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education. We will cultivate outstanding teaching and research faculty, and we will recruit outstanding students and trainees from highly diverse backgrounds to create a socially responsible, highly skilled workforce.
Research: We will develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers, and resources. We will provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our University to support outstanding research. We will foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic, and population research.

Cancer remains the second leading cause of mortality in the United States, surpassed only by heart disease. Optimizing healthcare delivery for the detection and treatment of cancer is a top priority but it is often hindered by the complexities and shortcomings of the fragmented healthcare system. The Thompson Lab is devoted to studying patterns of healthcare delivery for cancer patients, especially around the time of diagnosis, and uncovering drivers of cancer care disparities across populations defined by race, ethnicity, income, and geography. This position will work to assist on a research project that is a collaboration between epidemiology and clinical informatics. Our research projects generally use sources of secondary real-world data (insurance claims, EHRs, cancer registries, death certificates) to answer complex questions.

We are currently seeking a postdoctoral researcher to contribute to our dynamic research team. Specifically, this position will have 100% effort dedicated to the Cancer Identification and Precision Oncology Center ( CIPOC). The overall scope of the University of North Carolina ( UNC)-based CIPOC is to bring together structured and unstructured electronic health record ( EHR)-derived data, insurance claims, and geographic data to rapidly identify cases and improve care quality and equity via access to cutting edge clinical advances for cancer. As a CIPOC team member, the incumbent will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of investigators and research staff from Cancer Epidemiology, NC TraCS Institute, and Renaissance Computing Institute.

Research tasks include literature searches, data collection and management, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, presentation of data, and manuscript and grant review and preparation. The Thompson lab provides strong training with particular emphasis on helping fellows gain skills needed for independents, including opportunities for first authorship, conference attendance, and writing competitive grant applications.

PhD in epidemiology, health services, or closely related field, OR PhD in clinical informatics or closely related field.

* Documented completion of coursework in applied statistical analysis, including regression modeling.

* Strong statistical programming skills (ex: SAS, R, or Python).

* Ability to work collaboratively and independently.

* Strong written and verbal communication skills.

* Self-motivated, strong attention to detail, and excellent organization skills.

* Evidence of research productivity including published abstracts and scientific manuscripts.

* Previous experience in cancer-related research, cancer disparities or cancer-related health care delivery science.

* Prior experience analyzing administrative health care data (EHRs, health insurance claims, or cancer registry data).

* Superior conceptual, organizational, and analytical skills.

* Track record of research productivity, including published scientific manuscripts and a demonstrated initiative in conducting research.

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience and will be in line with NIH postdoctoral fellow salaries; benefits will be provided.

For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here

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 opahr@unc.edu.

Please note: The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.