Head of Experimental Sciences

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill; Elkins Hills (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Comprehensive benefits

Paid leave

Training opportunities

Job summary

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks a Head of Experimental Sciences for the CGI to supervise and perform translational tumor immunology research. You will lead a multidisciplinary team, design experiments, and drive data analysis across cytometry, single-cell approaches, and TCR-T product development.

The role emphasizes independent project management, collaboration with program directors, and potential authorship on grants and publications.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology or related discipline with extensive immunology training.
• At least five years post-PhD experience in immunology research with technical expertise in tumor and immune cell enrichment and culture, cytometry, immunopeptidomics sample prep, sequencing library prep, T cell engineering, TCR repertoire profiling, and related analyses.

Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct experimental translational research in CGI.
• Supervise and train experimental staff and maintain SOPs.
• Plan, execute and analyze experiments independently and with the team.
• Publish and contribute to presentations, manuscripts and grants.

Skills

TCR-T engineering

Cytometry

Immunopeptidomics

DNA/RNA sequencing

TCR repertoire profiling

Single cell transcriptomics

Organoid culture

Project management

Team leadership

Data analysis

Education

PhD in Immunology

Job description

Posting Information

• Department: Lineberger Compr Cancer Center-426801
• Career Area: Research Professionals
• Posting Open Date: 09/25/2026
• Application Deadline: 10/09/2026
• Open Until Filled: No
• Position Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
• Working Title: Head of Experimental Sciences
• Appointment Type: EHRA Non-Faculty
• Position Number: 20078813
• Vacancy ID: NF0010078
• Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time Permanent
• FTE: 1
• Hours per week: 40
• Position Location: North Carolina, US
• Hiring Range: Dependent on education/experience
• Proposed Start Date: 10/12/2026

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

Our new Center for Generative Immunotherapy (CGI), a collaborative and multidisciplinary translational tumor immunology group tasked with preclinical research and clinical trials in personalized antigen-directed immunotherapy, is seeking to hire a Head of Experimental Sciences who will be tasked with supervising and performing experimental translational research. The successful applicant will be highly skilled in tumor and immune cell enrichment and culture, cytometry, preparation of samples for immunopeptidomics, library preparation for DNA and RNA sequencing, advanced functional analysis of T cells including T cell engineering using Crispr methods, tumor antigen-specific T cell receptor repertoire profiling, and analysis of mechanisms of resistance to antigen-specific T cell cytotoxicity.

They will lead a team analyzing human tumor and immune cell samples from biobanks and real-time in the context of personalized antigen-directed immunotherapy clinical trials. The successful applicant will be able to conceive, plan, and execute experiments independently, as well as to analyze data and lead a team in executing research goals in collaboration with program directors and other lab members. Beyond cytometry and functional T cell studies, experimental work will include single cell transcriptomic and T cell receptor analyses using human cell lines, primary tumor samples, and primary peripheral blood samples, cell enrichment and organoid preparation, generation of T cell receptor engineered T cell (TCR-T) products, and evaluation of TCR-T performance characteristics using primary tumor cells and organoids.

They will be responsible for generating experimental SOPs, progress tracking, and training of experimental staff. There will be substantial interaction with lab members working in bioinformatics and computational biology as well as opportunity for training in these areas if the applicant desires. As part of this work, they will be expected to lead and contribute to academic products including presentations, manuscripts, and patents deriving from their experimental results. If desired, the applicant will have the opportunity to be the lead author on presentations, manuscripts, and grants derived from their work. They will also be responsible for data reporting according to sponsor requests and assisting computational staff with data management and data sharing. This position is eligible to receive a sign-on bonus.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Master's or Bachelor's and 0-2 years' experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• PhD in Immunology or in a related discipline with extensive immunology training
• At least five years post-PhD experience in immunology research, with technical expertise in tumor and immune cell enrichment and culture, cytometry, preparation of samples for immunopeptidomics, library preparation for DNA and RNA sequencing, advanced functional analysis of T cells including T cell engineering using Crispr methods, tumor antigen-specific T cell receptor repertoire profiling, analysis of mechanisms of resistance to antigen-specific T cell cytotoxicity, single cell transcriptomic and T cell receptor analyses using human cell lines, primary tumor samples, and primary peripheral blood samples, cell enrichment and organoid preparation, generation of T cell receptor engineered T cell (TCR-T) products, and evaluation of TCR-T performance characteristics using primary tumor cells and organoids.
• Experience with processing and analysis of primary human samples.
• Experience in supervision, mentorship, training, and leadership of experimental scientists in a goal-oriented team environment.
• Excellence in experimental planning, execution, and project management in research collaborations.
• Excellent skills in verbal and written communication.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

PhD in related discipline

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Posting Contact Information

• Department Contact Name and Title: Vanessa Perry, Human Resources Consultant
• Department Contact Telephone or Email: [e-mail]
• Office of Human Resources Contact Information: If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at [phone] or send an email to [e-mail] Please note: The Office of Human Resources 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.