Research Assistant Professor

Posting Information

Posting Information

Department Psychiatry - Research - 412250 Posting Open Date 01/21/2026 Application Deadline Open Until Filled Yes Position Type Permanent Faculty Working Title Research Assistant Professor Appointment Type Fixed Term Faculty Vacancy ID FAC0005795 Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Permanent Hours per week 40 FTE 1 Position Location North Carolina, US Hiring Range Dependent on Experience and Qualifications Proposed Start Date 04/06/2026

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. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events.

UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

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.

Position Summary

The UNC Institute for Trauma Recovery (ITR) is seeking a Research Assistant Professor (Non-Tenure Track Faculty) to help advance our institute mission as part of the Department of Psychiatry at UNC. The ITR conducts emergency care-based research studies in which individuals are enrolled into prospective observational or intervention studies that seek to better understand and prevent posttraumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae (https://www.med.unc.edu/itr/). The Department of Psychiatry (https://www.med.unc.edu/psych/) in which the ITR resides provides an outstanding environment for groundbreaking research, clinical care, career development and interface with colleagues and other units that perform basic, translational, and clinical research.

The work of the ITR has two overarching goals: (1) To increase understanding of how adverse posttraumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, pain and other somatic symptoms) develop after traumatic stress exposure (e.g., motor vehicle collision, military deployment, sexual assault); and (2) To develop interventions that prevent these outcomes. Our primary strategy to achieve these goals is to recruit and retain outstanding, talented, self-motivated staff, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty who are passionate about improving the lives of trauma survivors. We operate several large acute care-based research networks/registries to perform this work. There are a diversity of activities going on within the ITR to serve our mission, and substantial opportunity to tailor activities based on individual interests (e.g., conduct of medication and/or non-medication clinical trials, analysis of longitudinal data, etc.).

Examples of things a successful candidate will be expected to assist with include:

• Lead ongoing externally funded clinical research projects within the ITR.
• Design, implement, and oversee clinical trials, including emergency department-based, multi-site studies.
• Develop and manage collaborations with internal and external investigators and research sites nationwide.
• Analyze clinical, biological, and patient-reported data; publish results in peer-reviewed journals; and present at national/international meetings.
• Mentor and train graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, and early-stage investigators.
• Contribute to grant development and submission to sustain and expand the ITR's research portfolio.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Epidemiology, Public Health, or related discipline.
• Evidence of excellence in research productivity, including peer-reviewed publications and successful grant writing.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct collaborative, team-based science in multi-site settings.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Experience leading or managing large, multi-site clinical trials, ideally within emergency medicine or trauma settings.
• A record of securing extramural funding from NIH, DoD, or comparable agencies.
• Demonstrated success mentoring trainees and junior investigators.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in research and education.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/312205

Department Contact Information

Department Contact Name and Title Ammie Senn, HR Consultant Department Contact Telephone or Email ammie_senn@med.unc.edu Academic Personnel Office Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University's Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost office at (919)-962-1091 or send an email to facultyrecruitment@unc.edu.

Please note: The Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost office will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

If you have any questions about the job requirements or the hiring department notify the Department Contact.

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.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae / Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

• List of References

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • What is your highest degree?

• PhD

• MD

• PharmD

• DDS

• DVM

• JD

• MLS/MIS

• Masters

• Other

• • Do you have experience in writing grant proposals for submission to federal and state agencies and/or private foundations?

• Yes

• No

• • Do you have evidence of and potential for attracting external funding at R-level or the equivalent?

• YES

• NO

• • Do you have prior published manuscripts and conference presentations that demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills?

• Yes

• No

• • Do you have experience working in a team-based environment?

• Yes

• No