Research Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; North Carolina; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks a Research Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor to lead the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Laboratory in the Chemistry Department. This fixed-term and permanent faculty position emphasizes NMR expertise, strategic facility growth, and collaboration with students and faculty across disciplines.

Responsibilities include managing instrumentation, training users, pursuing external funding, and contributing to teaching and scholarly activities.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry is required for this senior faculty role.
• Expertise in magnetic resonance spectroscopy, especially NMR.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage facilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operation of the NMR Laboratory and data management systems.
• Train and mentor students, staff, and faculty in NMR experiments.
• Develop and execute a strategic plan for facility growth and modernization.
• Lead grant writing and funding initiatives to support instrumentation.

Skills

NMR spectroscopy

Project management

Team leadership

Education

PhD in Chemistry

Tools

NMR instrumentation

Job description

Posting Information

Department: Chemistry - 318300

Posting Open Date: 07/24/2026

Application Deadline: 08/28/2026

Open Until Filled: No

Position Type: Permanent Faculty

Working Title: Research Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor

Appointment Type: Fixed Term Faculty

Vacancy ID: FAC0006029

Full-time/Part-time: Full-Time Permanent

Hours per week: 40

FTE: 1

Position Location: North Carolina, US

Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience

Proposed Start Date: 10/05/2026

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

The Chemistry Department is one of the largest and most complex departments in the College of Arts and Sciences. There are 54 faculty members, 20 SHRA and 21 EHRA staff positions, 260 graduate students, 37 postdoctoral research associates, 700 undergraduate majors, and an annual total of approximately 10,000 registrations by all students in classroom and laboratory courses. The Department is housed in five buildings with over 580,000 sq. feet of space. The faculty participate in teaching assignments which involve an average of 200 students per faculty member per semester. The majority of faculty are research active and supervise graduate students working on their Masters or Ph.D. degrees, undergraduate students carrying out independent research and honors programs, research technicians and postdoctoral research associates. Primarily the research is funded by federal and private agencies such as NSF , NIH , Army, Navy, DOE , PRF and involves expenditures of more than nineteen million dollars annually. A total of over thirty-two million dollars from all sources is expended annually in the Department.

Position Summary

The primary role of this position is to manage the operations of the UNC Chapel Hill Department of Chemistry Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Laboratory ( NMRL ) and to provide leadership and direction for research and experiential learning activities involving the NMRL . This position supports the instructional and research missions of the Chemistry Department through engagement with faculty and students by providing consultation and expertise in NMR experiment design and instrument functionality. Activities include experimental design and execution, project evaluation, data analysis, student training, and education.

In addition, this position is responsible for the strategic development, growth, and modernization of the NMR facility, including identifying emerging technologies, planning infrastructure upgrades, and ensuring that the laboratory remains at the forefront of NMR capabilities. A key component of this responsibility is leading and contributing to the preparation of grant proposals and other funding initiatives to support instrumentation acquisition, facility expansion, and modernization efforts.

The Major Responsibilities Of The NMRL Director Include

• managing the operation of the NMR laboratory, including the design and use of the laboratory for experiment selection, implementation, analysis, and data management;


• training and collaborating with students, staff, and faculty in experiments and educational activities directed toward the determination of molecular structure by NMR spectroscopy; and


• developing and executing a strategic plan for facility growth and modernization, including the pursuit of external funding through grant writing and partnerships.

The director provides NMR expertise to further the department’s instructional and research goals. Opportunities exist for instruction in courses on the theory and practice of NMR spectroscopy.

Research Assistant, Associate, or Full Professors are expected to contribute to the missions of the Department, College, and University through strong technical and administrative leadership, research and scholarly activities, and teaching, training, and mentoring. Administrative duties include oversight and management of personnel; research services (technical and non-technical); business operations (including core budgets, rates, and invoicing); program development; and policy compliance (including relevant university, state, and federal regulations). Administrative responsibilities also include long-term planning for instrumentation renewal and facility enhancement, including the development of funding strategies and grant submissions.

Research and scholarly activities include contributions to grant applications and publications; development and/or acquisition of new technologies and processes; and participation in seminars, lectures, and conferences.

Teaching, training, and mentoring activities include instruction of users on state-of-the-art technologies and processes; presentations in courses, with opportunities to lead modules and courses in NMR spectroscopy; and participation in seminars and workshops.

Minimum Education And Experience Requirements

PhD in Chemistry

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience

We seek a candidate with excellent management and administrative skills, along with strong technical expertise and experience in magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The successful candidate will demonstrate effective interpersonal and communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented, multidisciplinary environment.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in strategic planning, facility development, and modernization of shared research infrastructure, including instrumentation acquisition and implementation of new technologies. A demonstrated or emerging track record of grant writing and securing external funding, particularly in support of instrumentation or core facilities, is highly desirable.

Candidates should also show strong potential for research and scholarly activity, as well as excellence in teaching, training, and mentoring users with diverse backgrounds and levels of expertise.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Department Contact Information

Department Contact Name and Title: Nicole Pifer

Department Contact Telephone or Email: [e-mail]

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.