Post Doctoral Research Associate

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accrued vacation and sick leave

12 paid holidays

Aetna/state health benefits

TSERS retirement system

Job summary

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) invites applications for a Post Doctoral Research Associate to study bioactive food components for disease prevention. The role involves conducting rigorous scientific research, publishing peer‑reviewed results, and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students in the CEPHT lab.

Based in CEPHT, the position emphasizes developing and testing functional foods, metabolomics analyses, and collaboration with NC A&T research partners

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in nutrition/food science, natural products, analytical chemistry, or other closely related fields.
• Experience in analyzing bioactive food compounds
• Experience in qualitative analysis of metabolites, and trace-level analysis of biomolecules in vivo
• Knowledge in mass-based metabolomic research
• Knowledge in the interactions between gut microbiome and dietary compounds
• Excellent written and oral communication skills for communicating and publishing scientific results
• Strong ability to work both independently and in a team environment

Responsibilities

• Developing and testing functional foods
• Isolating and characterizing health-promoting components in foods
• Improving processes to extend shelf life, and control spoilage and foodborne pathogens
• Developing new, value-added products from agricultural commodities
• Evaluating and modeling consumer acceptance of food products
• Developing and testing novel biodegradable and bioactive food packaging
• Optimizing parameters for process-engineering

Skills

Bioactive compounds analysis

Metabolomics

Gut microbiome interactions

Scientific communication

Teamwork

Independence

Education

Ph.D. in nutrition/food science or related field

Job description

Primary Purpose Of Position

The person employed in this Postdoctoral Research Associate position will study bioactive food components for disease prevention. This candidate is expected to conduct scientific research and have peer-reviewed scientific publications and provide technical assistance to graduate and undergraduate students working in the lab as needed.

Posting Details

Classification Information

Classification Type EHRA

Position Overview

The person employed in this Postdoctoral Research Associate position will study bioactive food components for disease prevention. This candidate is expected to conduct scientific research and have peer-reviewed scientific publications and provide technical assistance to graduate and undergraduate students working in the lab as needed.

Primary Function Of Organizational Unit

The Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies (CEPHT) plays a vital role in this quest. Here, we discover health-enhancing ways to process fruits and vegetables. We add value to agricultural commodities by finding new ways to make food safer, extend shelf life and preserve health-promoting nutrients. We work with our North Carolina Research Campus partners to expand into diverse areas such as nutrigenomics and metabolomics. And we forge partnerships with industry to create health enriching foods or supplements, and spur economic development in North Carolina.

• Developing and testing functional foods
• Isolating and characterizing the health-promoting components in foods
• Improving processes to extend shelf life, and control spoilage and foodborne pathogens
• Developing new, value-added products from agricultural commodities
• Evaluating and modeling consumer acceptance of food products
• Developing and testing novel biodegradable and bioactive food packaging
• Optimizing parameters for process-engineering

N.C. A&T is a public, land-grant, doctoral research institution and has been the largest historically Black university in the country for the past decade. With an enrollment of 15,275 students in Fall 2026, the university offers 59 undergraduate degree programs, 36 master’s programs, and 12 doctoral programs. It is America’s top producer of Black graduates in Engineering and Agricultural Science bachelor’s programs, as well as a top five producer in numerous additional disciplines, including Liberal Arts and Communications/Journalism. It also ranks no. 3 in master’s degrees awarded to Black graduates in Engineering Technologies and Related Fields, no. 4 in master’s degrees in Engineering, and no. 11 best business school for women in the nation.

Nationally recognized for its leadership and excellence in STEM education and research, N.C. A&T is classified as "R2-High Research Activity" in the Carnegie Classifications and is poised to achieve "R1-Very High Research Activity" status. It also holds Carnegie’s earned credential in Community Engagement and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation. With an annual economic impact of $2.4 billion, N.C. A&T plays a vital role as a higher-education economic driver in North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad region and across a state that is ranked No. 1 in the nation for the second straight year as "best for business" by the CNBC financial network.

Minimum Requirements

Ph.D. in nutrition/food science, natural products, analytical chemistry, or other closely related fields.

• Experience in analyzing bioactive food compounds
• Experience in qualitative analysis of metabolites, and trace-level analysis of biomolecules in vivo
• Knowledge in mass-based metabolomic research
• Knowledge in the interactions between gut microbiome and dietary compounds
• Excellent written and oral communication skills for communicating and publishing scientific results
• Strong ability to work both independently and in a team environment

Is this position eligible for a remote or hybrid work arrangement, consistent with university and state policies.

On-site (Employees are primarily in the office and/or have a critical job requirement that requires dedicated office space on-site)

Position Information

Working Title: Post Doctoral Research Associate

Position Number: 009239

Recruitment Salary Range: $50,000-$55,000

FLSA: Exempt

Appointment Type: Time Limited - Full-time

Tenure Track: No

Organizational Division: CEPHT

Organizational Location: College of Ag & Environ Sciences

Organizational Unit: CEPHT

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number: EPA3270

Open Date: 11/01/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Open Until Filled Minimum Application Period Postings: Positions remaining posted after this date are continuing to accept applications, but may close at any time. Applications received by this date will receive full consideration, applications received after this date may receive consideration depending upon the status of the search

Date Position Available: 11/01/2026

Employee Benefits available to NC A & T permanent employees include the following and more;

• Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave for Eligible Employees
• Community Service Leave
• Aetna – State Health Benefits of North Carolina
• NCFlex – Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and more
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Teachers and State Employees Retirement System ( TSERS )
• Optional Supplemental Plans – 401k, 403b, 457b and 457
• Employee Assistance Program ( EAP )
• Campus Recreation Center Discount
• University Bookstore Discount
• and more

This position may be eligible for a remote or hybrid work arrangement, consistent with university and state policies. N.C. A&T employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a 2-hour commuting distance of their assigned duty station.