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.

Since 1966, researchers at the Carolina Population Center have pioneered data collection and research techniques that move population science forward by emphasizing life course approaches, longitudinal surveys, the integration of biological measurement into social surveys, and attention to context and environment. We are also at the forefront of creating interdisciplinary training programs that integrate approaches from the social and biological sciences, building research capacity and training the next generation of scholars. Our faculty fellows address pressing research questions about population dynamics, fertility, health, mortality, migration, and the environment. Faculty come from multiple disciplines, benefitting from the cross-pollination of ideas. Our dedicated research and programming staff support fellows at every stage of project development, from conception through data collection or acquisition, analysis and dissemination, and project administration. https://www.cpc.unc.edu/about/

We are searching for two Postdoctoral Research Associates to join our study that aims to inform and evaluate global food policy for healthy, sustainable diets. The Postdoctoral Research Associates will be responsible for a) preparing, organizing, and analyzing data on food, nutrition, and environmental impact, and/or; b) developing artificial intelligence methods to categorize these data; and/or c) leading experimental studies relating to designing and evaluating front-of-package food labels.

Additional responsibilities will include:
* Preparing manuscripts in collaboration with our team, including leading first author publications;
* Developing new study ideas and incorporating them into planned or new research ;
* Assisting with grant writing and leading own grant applications
* Interact with global collaborators on research design, implementation, and dissemination;
* Presenting research at national conferences and meetings, or as guest lecturers, attending virtual research seminars at the Global Food Research Program, and mentoring students.

The postdoc will be joining a highly productive research team led by Lindsey Smith Taillie. The postdoctoral postdoc will work as part of a highly-interdisciplinary collaborative team with expertise in nutrition epidemiology, food policy, health behavior, visual communication, economics, and environmental science. Dr. Taillie's lab is part of the Global Food Research Program, and focuses on food policies to prevent obesity and related co-morbidities in the US and internationally. The postdoctoral postdoc will also have the opportunity to collaborate on additional studies relating to policies to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage intake, including taxes, healthy food incentives, warning labels, and nutrition claims.

We are seeking a productive, self-driven, interdisciplinary, and collaborative scientist. Ideally, the candidate will have experience in nutrition epidemiology, healthy and sustainable diets, and data to link nutrition and health data to environmental impact data.

The work uses highly innovative research designs and will inform policies addressing climate change and NCDs. Additionally, there will be ample opportunities for connecting with a wider network of scientists and for career development, including collaboration with other scientists in the Global Food Research Program (Drs. Barry Popkin, Shu Wen Ng, and Marissa Hall) and other faculty at the Carolina Population Center.

The initial term of appointment is one year, with reappointment for a second year likely, contingent on contributions and funding.

A PhD or equivalent in nutrition, public health and/or population sciences, social-behavioral sciences, or a related behavioral science field.

Must have training in quantitative statistical methods. Must have prior first author publications which include statistical analysis of large epidemiological datasets or randomized experiments. Must have experience working in sustainable diets or on front-of-package labeling.

Experience in food policy, non-communicable diseases, obesity prevention, nutrition, health communication, behavioral economics, or environmental sciences is helpful but not required. Fluency in Spanish and/or Portuguese. Demonstrated experience working on interdisciplinary teams.

Applicants must attach their curriculum vitae, a relevant publication, cover letter summarizing qualifications, and a list of 3 references.

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.