Research Associate Professor

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; North Carolina; On-site; USD 109,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks a Research Associate Professor in Chemistry to lead collaborative research within CHASE, advancing solar energy to liquid fuels projects. The role interfaces with HiTEC leaders and mentors students and postdocs, driving interdisciplinary electrochemistry and photoelectrochemistry efforts.

The position emphasizes strong administrative leadership and collaboration across partner institutions, with no teaching expectation and full‑time, fixed-term

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry or closely related field.
• Strong management and administrative skills.
• Experience with electrochemistry, time‑resolved spectroscopy, and materials characterization.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, engage in, support and manage collaborative research projects within CHASE.
• Interface with senior researchers to advance HiTEC capabilities.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students and postdocs in the lab.
• Provide expertise in electrochemistry, photoelectrochemistry and semiconductor physics.

Skills

Project management

Team leadership

Communication

Electrochemistry

Education

PhD in Chemistry or closely related field

Job description

Posting Information

Department: Chemistry - 318300

Posting Open Date: 09/04/2026

Application Deadline: 09/18/2026

Open Until Filled: No

Position Type: Permanent Faculty

Working Title: Research Associate Professor

Appointment Type: Fixed Term Faculty

Vacancy ID: FAC0006076

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

Hours per week: 40

FTE: 1

Position Location: North Carolina, US

Hiring Range: $121,500

Proposed Start Date: 01/01/2027

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

The Chemistry Department is one of the largest and most complex departments in the College of Arts and Sciences. There are 55 faculty members, 28 SHRA and 26 EHRA staff positions, 260 graduate students, 45 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 develop, implement, engage in,support and manage collaborative research projects within the Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels ( CHASE ). This Department of Energy sponsored Fuels from Sunlight Energy Innovation Hub, headquartered at UNC -CH with partner institutions at Yale University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, the University of Pennsylvania, North Carolina State University, and Princeton University, will accelerate scientific breakthroughs for advanced energy technology development. Extensive collaboration with researchers across the Center is expected. This position will also interface closely with the senior research scientist who leads the High-Throughput Experimentation in Catalysis (HiTEC) Core Laboratory, to collaboratively advance HiTEC capabilities for characterizing hybrid photoelectrode performance and to ensure all CHASE researchers have advanced instrument capabilities and technical research support. Additionally, the ability to work with and mentor undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral scholars, with varying degrees of experience in the laboratory are also essential. The professor will also provide expertise in electrochemistry, photoelectrochemistry, and semiconductor physics to further the department’s instructional and research goals.

The scope of research may be adjusted to meet specific research needs. There is no expectation to teach for this role.

Research Assistant, Associate, or Full Professors must contribute to the missions of the Department, College, and University through strong technical and administrative leadership, through strong research and scholarly activities, and through strong training, and mentoring activities. Administrative duties may include oversight and management of personnel, research services (technical and non-technical), business operations (including overall project budgets), program development, and policy compliance (including relevant university, state, and federal policies). Research and scholarly activities can be varied including contributions to grant applications and publications, development and/or acquisition of new technologies and processes, participation in seminars, lectures, conferences, etc. Training and mentoring activities including instruction of users on state-of-the‑art technologies and processes, presentations in courses, participation in seminars and workshops, co-mentoring of students, etc.

Minimum Education And Experience Requirements

PhD in Chemistry or closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience

We are seeking a candidate with excellent management and administrative skills and with technical expertise, knowledge, and experience in supporting, developing and/or translating various techniques (such as, but not limited to, electrochemistry, time‑resolved spectroscopy, materials characterization) to the evaluation of hybrid photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical carbon dioxide reduction to fuels. It is important that the successful candidate have good interpersonal skills, clear judgment, and the ability to work well in a group environment. Candidates should have a track record that demonstrates strong potential for research and scholarly activities and strong potential for teaching, training, and mentoring activities.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

Not Applicable.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/324970

Department Contact Information

Department Contact Name and Title: Nicole Pifer

Department Contact Telephone or Email: [e-mail]

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 [e-mail].

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.