Postdoctoral Research Associate - Goode Lab

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Kannapolis, NC

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Analysis Skills, Behavioral Health, Behavioral Intervention, Chronic Disease, Clinical Facilities, Clinical Laboratory, Communication Skills, Community Intervention, Detail Oriented, Diabetes, Disease Prevention and Control, Eating Disorders, Focus Groups, Funding, Genetics, Grant Writing, IRB/IEC (Institutional Review Board/Independent Ethics Committee), Interviewing Skills, Leadership, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Mentoring, Music, Nutrition, Nutritional Needs, Obesity, Organizational Skills, People Management, Primary Care, Psychology, Public Health, Qualitative Research, Research Skills, Restaurant, Risk, Social Work, Sociology, Statistics, Team Player, Theater, Training/Teaching, Translational Research
LOCATION
Kannapolis, NC
POSTED
30+ days ago

Posting Information

Posting Details ----------------

Department: Nutrition Research Institute - 633300 Posting Open Date: 01132026 Application Deadline: 07152026 Open Until Filled: No Position Type: Postdoctoral Scholar Position Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate - Goode Lab Vacancy ID: PDS004750 Full-time/Part-time: Full-Time Temporary: Temporary Hours per week: 40 FTE 1 Work Location: Kannapolis, NC Position Location: North Carolina, US Hiring Range: Dependent on qualifications in line with NIH scale Proposed Start Date: Estimated Duration of Appointment: 24 Months

Position Information -------------------

Be a Tar Heel

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) is a world-renowned center and a global leader in precision nutrition research. Our on-site facilities include multiple wet labs and clinical facilities as well as a vivarium and a metabolic chamber. Approximately two hours from UNC-Chapel Hill, the NRI is located on the beautiful North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) in Kannapolis, NC, a mid-size city with a small-town feel. The institute is within walking distance of the city center, which includes shops, restaurants, a minor-league ballpark, theater, and music hall of fame. We are also a short drive to Charlotte and Winston-Salem/Greensboro.

The NRI offers programs that support a healthy work-life balance. We also offer professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development, and lifelong learning.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit --------------------------------------

Learning how people can eat uniquely

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) is an internationally recognized center conducting innovative basic and translational science to establish how individual differences in nutrient requirements and responses to diet affect our nutritional needs. Our research contributes to the prevention and mitigation of chronic disease across the lifespan from periconception through aging.

Our Mission ------------

To lead precision nutrition research through understanding how genetics and environment affect an individuals requirements for and responses to nutrients.

NRI principal investigators hold faculty appointments in the departments of Nutrition and Psychology at UNC Chapel Hill. Their research interrogates nutrient roles in disease prevention, disease risk factors, and the impact of gene-environment and gene-nutrient interactions.

The NRI promotes excellence in nutrition knowledge, teaching, and research. We seek and encourage a diversity of experiences and ideas and provide the tools and flexibility for all employees to achieve success and excellence within their chosen occupations and aspirations.

We are committed to open dialogue, careful listening, becoming educated about the systems that hinder or prevent success, and taking action to ensure that all are equally acknowledged for their contributions and equally reap the benefits of being part of our community.

Our Vision ------------

To use scientific discovery to ensure optimal health through individualized nutrition.

Everyone who works at the NRI supports this hopeful vision. Working at the NRI means doing good for the world. Join us

The NRI and this position are in Kannapolis, NC, in the Charlotte region.

Position Summary -----------------

NOTE: This position is located in Kannapolis, NC, appx. 2 hours from UNCs main campus.

A Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available within the UNC Nutrition Research Institute as an integral part of the Living F.R.E.E. Research Focused on Reducing Excessive Eating Lab under the leadership of principal investigator Rachel W. Goode, PhD, MPH, LCSW.

This 2-year postdoctoral position provides a unique opportunity to be involved with the development and implementation of community-engaged behavioral interventions for those at the intersection of disordered eating and obesity.

We invite applications for a 2-year Postdoctoral Research Associate position at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) focused on community-engaged behavioral health research addressing eating disorder disparities, chronic disease prevention, and management, mHealth intervention development, and eating disorder screening and treatment disparities in primary care settings.

The associate will receive training to become an independent investigator with an emphasis on disordered eating, behavioral health interventions, community-based participatory research, mHealth approaches, and chronic disease disparities.

The position offers ample opportunities in manuscript and grant writing, leadership development, innovative technology, and methodology, and pilot study funding to develop the associates line of research.

The ideal candidate is analytical, organized, and detail-oriented with a proactive, reliable, and adaptable approach, strong communication skills, and a collaborative, community-oriented mindset.

Responsibilities -----------------

  • Mentoring research coordinators and students
  • Developing intervention materials in obesity, binge eating, and type 2 diabetes management, and mHealth programs
  • Conducting statistical analyses and writing scientific manuscripts

The position is full-time in-office with the potential for a 12-month renewal up to 24 months total. Estimated start date: Monday, August 17, 2026.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements --------------------------------------------

  • PhD in Public Health, Social Work, Nutrition, or Psychology, or a PhD in a related field (e.g., sociology)

Required Qualifications -------------------------

  • Knowledge of conducting all aspects of community-based research, public health intervention planning, implementation, and evaluation
  • Knowledge of health disparities, disparities in eating disorders and obesity, and diabetes prevention
  • Excellent research skills, including in the areas of developing qualitative research questions, conducting focus groups and in-depth interviews, and IRB applications
  • Ability to work with peers and supervisory staff in a professional manner and to interact effectively with a wide variety of people
  • Ability to provide guidance and leadership to undergraduate and graduate students

Preferred Qualifications -------------------------

  • Special Physical
  • Special Mental
  • Special Instructions

For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services, click here: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/311866

Posting Contact Information ---------------------------

  • Department Contact Name and Title: Shena Cunningham
  • Department Contact Telephone or Email: 704-250-5000
  • Postdoctoral Affairs Contact Information: If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Universitys Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at 919-962-9982 or send an email to opahrunc.edu.

Please note that 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

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk.

About the Company

U

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.
COMPANY SIZE
10,000 employees or more
INDUSTRY
Education
WEBSITE
http://www.sph.unc.edu/nutr/