Post-Doc Research Associate (Raffield Lab)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 63,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

The Raffield lab in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) Department of Genetics is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate with a background in Human Genetics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Computational Biology, or a related field.

The individual will be responsible for large-scale genomic and multi-omic analyses of traits related to cardiometabolic disease and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias across populations.

Qualifications

• PhD in Genetics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics/Statistics, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or a related field.
• Strong scientific communication skills and enthusiasm for team science.
• Experience analyzing large genomic datasets and/or epidemiological analyses in cohort/biobank studies is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-cohort omics analyses within TOPMed initiatives.
• Analyze bulk and single-cell expression QTLs, metabolomics, and proteomics data across populations.
• Collaborate across institutions to develop a multi-year research plan and maximize scientific productivity.
• Pursue independent grant funding and career development opportunities.

Skills

Scientific communication

Team science

Education

PhD in Genetics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics/Statistics, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics

Tools

High-performance computing

Cloud computing

Job description

Department:

Genetics - 423501

Posting Open Date:

11/04/2026

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Position Type:

Postdoctoral Scholar

Position Title:

Post-Doc Research Associate (Raffield Lab)

Vacancy ID:

PDS005016

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:

$63,480 - $69,180 dependent on experience

Proposed Start Date:

11/30/2026

Estimated Duration of Appointment:

12 Months

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:

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 Raffield lab in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) Department of Genetics is seeking a candidate for Postdoctoral Research Associate with a background in Human Genetics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or a related field. The individual will be responsible for large-scale genomic and multi-omic analyses of traits related to cardiometabolic disease and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias across populations. Our lab has expertise in analysis of large-scale genomic and multi-omic data, including genome-wide association studies and analysis of transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data. The successful candidate will join strong existing collaborative projects of scientists at multiple institutions across the US and globally. The UNC Department of Genetics ranked first in NIH funding among Genetics departments in 2025 and provides a collegial, supportive mentoring environment. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and will be equal to or exceed NIH postdoctoral stipends. Medical insurance and benefits will be in accordance with UNC standard postdoctoral benefits (https://research.unc.edu/postdocs/). In addition to outstanding research training, postdoctoral scholars are encouraged to participate in professional development opportunities offered through BioSTAR and the UNC Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. These programs support leadership development, scientific communication, grant writing, networking, and career exploration.

Postdoctoral fellows will have the opportunity to lead multiple projects and would work with Dr. Raffield to create a multi-year plan to maximize scientific productivity, pursue independent grant funding, and progress towards an independent career. Potential projects include:

• Leadership in cross-cohort ‘omics analyses in NHLBI’s Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Initiative.
• Analysis of bulk and single cell gene expression QTLs, metabolomics QTLs, and protein QTLs (across multiple platforms) in blood/plasma across populations, including local ancestry differentiated QTLs and variance QTLs, and subsequent colocalization with known cardiometabolic, blood, and dementia related loci
• Genetic and epidemiological analysis of inflammation and thrombosis related biomarkers for cardiometabolic disease and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

PhD in Genetics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics/Statistics, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or a related field

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

An individual with strong scientific communication skills who is highly motivated by team science and is enthusiastic about pursuing multicenter collaborative projects.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

The candidate should have experience analyzing large genomic datasets and/or experience with epidemiological analysis in cohort and biobank studies, particularly for high throughput ’omics datasets (metabolomics, proteomics, etc). Experience working with large datasets on high-performance computing clusters or cloud computing environments is a plus.