Research Scientist

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The Hantman Lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking a Research Scientist to study brain circuits involved in motor control, learning, and recovery in disease and stroke models. This senior position emphasizes independent research, project leadership, data analysis, and manuscript/publication contributions.

Responsibilities include experimental design, data interpretation, and collaboration with a broader scientific team; mentoring trainees and advancing complex projects

Qualifications

• Evidence of substantial neuroscience research experience, including brain-related data analysis.
• Ability to independently move projects from experimental design to data analysis and scientific communication.
• Experience mentoring or training junior researchers.
• Proficiency with MATLAB and/or Python is required.

Responsibilities

• Design and perform experiments; analyze and interpret complex datasets.
• Lead research projects and contribute to manuscripts and grant applications.
• Mentor trainees and collaborate with lab members and the scientific community.
• Learn and troubleshoot custom software/hardware used for experiments.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

Neuroscience research

Mentoring

Education

Master’s or Bachelor’s and 0-2 years’ experience

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

The cover letter should briefly describe research experience, evidence of successful project completion, technical and analytical skills, mentoring experience, and interest in the Hantman Lab.

Posting Information

Department

Career Area Research Professionals

Posting Open Date

Posting Open Date 09/21/2026

Application Deadline

Application Deadline 10/05/2026

Open Until Filled No

Position Type

Position Type Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title

Working Title Research Scientist

Appointment Type

Appointment Type EHRA Non-Faculty

Position Number

Position Number 20078646

Vacancy ID

Vacancy ID NF0010056

Full Time/Part Time

Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Permanent

FTE

FTE 1

Hours per week 40

Position Location

Position Location North Carolina, US

Hiring Range

Hiring Range $70,000–$85,000; dependent upon experience and qualifications

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.

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.

The Hantman Lab in the Neuroscience Center and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking a Research Scientist to study brain circuits involved in motor control, learning, and recovery of function in models of disease and stroke. This is a senior scientific position with substantial responsibility for independent research and project leadership. The Senior Scientist/Research Scientist will design and perform experiments, analyze and interpret complex datasets, develop and lead research projects, contribute to manuscripts and grant applications, mentor trainees, and collaborate with other members of the laboratory and scientific community. Research may involve behavioral neuroscience, mouse models of disease and stroke, whole-brain imaging, neural recordings, circuit manipulation, and analysis of large behavioral, neural, and imaging datasets. The successful candidate will be expected to take ownership of complex projects and move them from experimental design and implementation through analysis, interpretation, and scientific communication. The lab uses custom software and hardware for experimental control, data collection, and analysis, and the candidate should be comfortable learning, using, and troubleshooting these systems. Approximately 10% of the position will support shared laboratory operations, including purchasing, organization, regulatory documentation, and other laboratory needs.

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

Candidates must have substantial prior neuroscience research experience, including experience analyzing neural, behavioral, imaging, or other brain-related data. Candidates must demonstrate a record of successfully completing complex research projects and the ability to independently move projects from experimental design and implementation through data analysis, interpretation, and scientific communication. The position requires strong scientific judgment, initiative, organization, communication skills, and the ability to troubleshoot complex experiments and analyses with a high degree of independence. Experience mentoring or training junior researchers is required. Proficiency with MATLAB and/or Python is required.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Competitive candidates will have experience or strong interest in behavioral neuroscience, motor systems neuroscience, mouse models of disease or stroke and recovery of function, whole-brain imaging, neural and behavioral data analysis, mouse experimental methods, and development or use of custom experimental systems.

Evidence of successful project completion may include first-author publications or comparable scientific outputs, development of major experimental or analytical systems, completion of substantial datasets, or leadership of collaborative research projects.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions

The cover letter should briefly describe research experience, evidence of successful project completion, technical and analytical skills, mentoring experience, and interest in the Hantman Lab.

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.

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.

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae / Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of References

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Please select the response below that describes your level of education that best or most closely satisfies the education requirements for this position.
  • Bachelor’s degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field
  • Bachelor's degree in any field/discipline
  • Master's degree or Doctorate degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field
  • Master's degree or Doctorate degree in any field/discipline
  • None of the above
• * Do you have a PhD in neuroscience, bioengineering, biology, physiology, or a closely related biomedical science field?

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Do you have substantial prior neuroscience research experience, including experience analyzing neural, behavioral, imaging, or other brain-related data?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Please briefly describe a complex research project that you led or substantially drove to completion, including your role and the scientific outcome.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Please describe your experience with MATLAB and/or Python for scientific data analysis.

  (Open Ended Question)