Post-Doctoral Fellow

Posting Information

Posting Details

Department Physical Medicine Rehab - 413401 Posting Open Date 08/27/2026 Application Deadline 09/07/2026 Open Until Filled No Position Type Postdoctoral Scholar Position Title Post-Doctoral Fellow Vacancy ID PDS004955 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 Dependent on Qualifications Proposed Start Date 10/01/2026 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

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.

Position Summary

The Program on Integrative Medicine (PIM) within the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is seeking qualified candidates for a Postdoctoral fellowship.

The goal of this T32 training program is to cultivate diverse, well-trained, independent researchers at postdoctoral level for leadership in investigating efficacy, effectiveness, mechanisms of action, and implementation strategies for clinical integration of effective CIH therapies into healthcare practice, with a particular emphasis on enhancing access to CIH in at-risk and underrepresented populations. Research trainees will have the opportunity to:

1) receive rigorous training that emphasizes the development and implementation of clinical trials, including feasibility testing, mechanism evaluations, advanced quantitative and qualitative methods, systematic reviews/meta-analysis, and implementation science methods

2) receive a firm grounding in CIH concepts and research issues

3) participate in the ongoing research of strong mentors

4) develop and conduct significant studies that will provide a foundation for future funded research

5) participate in the development of innovative research tools and measures to better examine CIH approaches to care.

This is a full-time hybrid position for one year with an option for renewal contingent upon performance and funding availability. Required fellowship activities include the following:

• Participation in a primary research project with Drs. Gaylord, Giscombe, Faurot, and potentially another approved UNC faculty mentor. Please see our website for details of mentors committed to the program: UNC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program on Integrative Medicine
• Dr. Gaylord studies mindfulness interventions for pain conditions, anxiety, and risk of depression.
• Dr. Giscomb studies biopsychosocial research, including biomarkers associated with mindfulness and Superwoman Schema for Black/African American women and healing professionals.
• Dr. Faurot studies nutrition interventions for chronic pain conditions, dietary supplement safety, and mindfulness interventions for caregivers of persons living with dementia.
• Other researchers with whom we are affiliated have expertise in implementation science.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Development of an original research area that aligns with ongoing research projects at the Program on Integrative Medicine or other UNC collaborators.
• Attendance at the Responsible Conduct of Research courses offered by the NC TraCS Institute. Attendance at the fall semester course, Principles, and Practices of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Course.
• Attendance at the T-32 Fellows Weekly Seminar with in-person meetings scheduled monthly.
• Creation of an Individual Development Plan (IDP) in collaboration with fellowship directors that aligns with the Program on Integrative Medicine's research mission to be submitted in September and March each year.
• Meeting with one of the Fellowship Directors every 2 weeks to check in and with all three directors biannually (September/October, March/April) to review progress toward IDP goals.
• Coursework at UNC-Chapel Hill relevant to the educational research needs of the fellow. This can be non-degree graduate coursework or coursework as part of an optional research degree (e.g., Master's in Clinical Research).
• Attendance at an integrative health conference annually and other selected conferences and seminars approved by the Fellowship Directors.
• Research presentation at one or more national meetings per year as well as to groups within the university.
• Submission of 1-3 manuscripts the first year (expectations depending on prior preparation) and 2-3 manuscripts the second year to peer-reviewed journals, with at least one first-authored manuscript.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Applicants must possess a doctoral-level degree in a health-related field (e.g., MD, ND, Ph.D., DO, DC, DOM, PharmD, DPT, OTD, DNP).

Must be a permanent US resident or US citizen.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Applicants must demonstrate a clear commitment to a career in academic research on complementary, alternative, and integrative health modalities such as mind-body or nutrition interventions.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Research experience relating to complementary and integrative health is preferred.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements Special Instructions

For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here

Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/324550

Posting Contact Information

Department Contact Name and Title Allison Williams Department Contact Telephone or Email allison_williams@med.unc.edu 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 opahr@unc.edu.

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

• Curriculum Vitae / Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of References

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

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