Research Scientist (Multi-Positions)

University of North Carolina at Wilmington; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 28,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina Wilmington seeks a Temporary Research Scientist to conduct and oversee research in computer science and related interdisciplinary areas. The role involves reviewing literature, designing computational methods, and developing software tools to meet project objectives.

The candidate will manage data, document findings, and may mentor students and staff under supervision, with hiring range and hours varying by department needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related area.

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze current scientific and technical literature.
• Design, adapt, and implement computational methods, software, simulations, prototypes, and experimental procedures to meet research objectives.
• Independent research activities, data collection, management, analysis, and reporting of results.
• Develop and test software and computational tools; work with AI, ML, data science, cybersecurity, VR, HCI or related tech as project requires.
• Mentor and guide graduate and undergraduate students and project personnel.

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related area

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Please Note: This is a temporary position. The length of the assignment will be based on department need with the possibility of continuation.

University Information

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to- BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

Work typically involves conducting research and developing specific plans for experiments, studies, and technical investigations within assigned areas of computer science and related interdisciplinary fields.

The position requires reviewing and analyzing current scientific and technical literature; designing, adapting, and implementing computational methods, algorithms, software, simulations, prototypes, and experimental procedures to meet specific research objectives.

The Temporary Research Scientist independently conducts research activities, collects, manages, analyzes, and interprets experimental and computational data, and documents research methods, results, and findings. Work requires sufficient theoretical and technical knowledge to work effectively in the assigned area of inquiry, as well as independent judgment in planning and conducting research activities, troubleshooting technical challenges, evaluating results, and identifying appropriate next steps.

Responsibilities may include developing and testing software and computational tools; working with artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or other emerging technologies as appropriate to the project; preparing technical documentation, research reports, presentations, publications, and other project deliverables; and contributing to grant-funded research activities.

Work may also include training, mentoring, and providing technical guidance to graduate and undergraduate students, research assistants, or other project personnel in specific research methods, software tools, data collection procedures, and technical activities. The position works under the general supervision of a principal investigator or faculty research supervisor, with progress and results reviewed through periodic meetings, reports, presentations, and other research deliverables in relation to established project objectives.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

As a guide, graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in a related area.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

N/A

Required Certifications or Licensure

No Required Certifications or Licensure

Work Hours

Work Hours Varies

Work Days

Work Days Varies

Hours Per Week

Hours Per Week Varies

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated Hiring Range $20.00 - $35.00/hour

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please Note: This is a temporary position. The length of the assignment will be based on department need with the possibility of continuation.

Job Posting Date

Job Posting Date 09/04/2026

Job Closing Date

Job Closing Date 11/15/2026

EEO Statement

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Number of Openings

Number of Openings Multi-Positions

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vita

Optional Documents

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you learn of this opportunity with UNCW? (2026)
  • UNCW Website
  • UNCW LinkedIn Page
  • UNCW X Account (formerly Twitter)
  • UNCW Employee Referral
  • UNCW Instagram Account (UNCW_jobs)
  • UNCW Job Alert
  • Chronical of Higher Education
  • Glassdoor
  • Higher Ed Jobs
  • Indeed
  • Inside Higher Ed
  • North Carolina Job Network
  • Craigslist
  • Career Events/Job Fairs
  • Billboards/Marquee
  • Other
• If you selected "Other" to the question above, please explain how you found out about this opportunity. Enter N/A if not applicable.

  (Open Ended Question)