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.

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.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ( UNC) Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases ( IGHID) is recruiting an exceptional candidate for a Postdoctoral Research Associate fellowship in malaria clinical trials.
The fellow will join a multidisciplinary research team conducting innovative clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness and safety of insecticide-treated baby wraps for the prevention of malaria in young children. Previous research demonstrated a nearly two-thirds reduction in the incidence of clinical malaria among children using insecticide-treated wraps (Boyce et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 2025). Building on these findings, ongoing studies across sub-Saharan Africa are designed to generate the evidence needed to inform malaria prevention policy and implementation strategies.

Fellowship Experience
The fellow will work closely with the principal investigator, Ross Boyce, MD, MSc, and collaborating investigators to support the planning, conduct, and analysis of the clinical trials and the dissemination of their findings.
Responsibilities and opportunities will include:
Contributing to clinical trial design, protocol development, implementation, and oversight.
Working closely with field research teams and collaborating investigators in Uganda.
Conducting statistical analyses and interpreting clinical trial data.
Preparing abstracts, scientific presentations, and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Contributing to grant applications and other scientific proposals.
Presenting findings at national and international scientific meetings.
Traveling to study sites in sub-Saharan Africa, typically for periods of 2-3 weeks at a time.
Developing and leading complementary sub-studies under the mentorship of the PI.

Mentorship and Career Development
A major goal of the fellowship is to prepare the fellow for an independent research career in global health, infectious diseases, epidemiology, or clinical trials. Through dedicated mentorship and hands-on experience, the fellow will develop advanced skills in:
Clinical trial design, implementation, and analysis.
Epidemiologic and quantitative research methods.
Scientific writing and peer-reviewed publication.
Grant and career-development award preparation.
International research collaboration and study management.
Mentoring students and junior researchers.
The fellow will also have substantial opportunities to develop a professional network within the international malaria research community.
The fellow will be encouraged to develop a portfolio of work that supports progression toward research independence. This will include opportunities to lead first-author manuscripts, develop and lead complementary sub-studies, present findings at international scientific meetings, and contribute to or lead grant applications. The PI will provide regular mentorship focused on research development, publication strategy, grant writing, and long-term career goals.

PhD, DrPH, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree with training or experience in epidemiologic methods and biostatistics.

Candidates should have strong quantitative and scientific writing skills, excellent organizational and communication skills, and an interest in developing an independent research career in global health and infectious diseases.
The position requires the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary, international research teams and a willingness to travel internationally for approximately 2-3 weeks at a time.

Clinical trials or prospective epidemiologic studies.
Statistical analysis using R, Stata, or similar software.
Research in low- and middle-income country settings.
Preparation of peer-reviewed manuscripts, abstracts, or scientific presentations.
Malaria, vector-borne diseases, or other infectious diseases.
Prior experience in malaria research is not required if the candidate has excellent epidemiologic skills and has worked in another infectious disease area.

Ability to travel internationally, including trips of approximately 2-3 weeks at a time.
Ability to work in office, clinical research, and field-based settings, including environments with variable climate and infrastructure.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and use a computer for data analysis, writing, and communication.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
Ability to maintain attention to detail and exercise sound judgment in the conduct of clinical research.
Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with multidisciplinary and international research teams.
Ability to adapt to changing study priorities, field conditions, and operational needs.

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 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.