Research Software Developer

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; North Carolina; On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional training opportunities

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid leave

Job summary

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks a Senior Research Software Engineer to support imaging data preprocessing and analysis pipelines using Python, FSL, SPM, Freesurfer, and related platforms. You will collaborate with national labs to align our site capacity with multi-site projects.

You will architect and optimize scalable computational systems for MRI, MRS, and PET datasets, driving reproducible research software and advanced analytics in neuroinformatics.

Qualifications

• Significant experience developing scientific software and computational workflows.
• Programming in Python, R, or other scientific computing environments.
• Experience with neuroimaging tools such as FreeSurfer, FSL, AFNI, or related frameworks.
• Experience working with neuroimaging or other large biomedical datasets.
• Familiarity with neuroinformatics platforms, including XNAT or REDCap.
• Experience collaborating with interdisciplinary research teams.
• Demonstrated contributions to research software, analysis tools, or data processing pipelines.
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to HIPAA.
• Ability to produce scientific reports, memos, and publications for peer-reviewed journals and grant writing.

Responsibilities

• Architect, develop, and optimize scalable data pipelines for MRI, MRS, PET datasets.
• Lead automated processing pipelines and visualization tools.
• Collaborate with faculty investigators and interdisciplinary teams.
• Ensure reproducibility and robust computational solutions.

Skills

Scientific software development

Python/R

Neuroimaging tools

Biomedical data

Neuroinformatics platforms

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Research software contributions

HIPAA compliance

Scientific communication

Education

Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

Git

SLURM

Linux

Job description

Posting Information

Department Psychiatry-412201

Career Area Information Technology

Posting Open Date 09/18/2026

Application Deadline 10/02/2026

Open Until Filled No

Position Type Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title Research Software Developer

Appointment Type EHRA Non-Faculty

Position Number 20078541

Vacancy ID NF0010050

Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Permanent

FTE 1

Hours per week 40

Position Location North Carolina, US

Hiring Range $100,000 - $110,000

Proposed Start Date 10/12/2026

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

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.

Position Summary

The Senior Research Software Engineer will support research imaging data preprocessing, image processing, implement data cleaning, train research team on image analysis using Python, FSL , SPM , Freesurfer, and other platforms. The incumbent will further support the software and hardware environments for successful implementation of the planned image analyses, collaborate with other national labs to align our site capacity with multi-site projects of which we are a part.

The Senior Research Software Engineer will serve as a highly specialized technical leader responsible for architecting, developing, and optimizing advanced computational systems that support large-scale neuroimaging research. This position plays a critical role in enabling cutting-edge scientific discovery through the design and implementation of scalable, reproducible data pipelines and analytical frameworks for complex MRI , MRS , PET datasets. Operating at the intersection of neuroscience, data science, and software engineering, this role drives innovation in neuroinformatics infrastructure, including the integration of data management platforms, high-performance computing environments, and advanced statistical methodologies. They will collaborate closely with faculty investigators, clinicians, and interdisciplinary research teams to translate complex research questions into robust computational solutions and actionable scientific insights.

Key contributions include leading the development of automated processing pipelines, advancing methodological approaches in neuroimaging analytics, and creating sophisticated visualization tools that effectively communicate complex findings. The role requires deep domain expertise in neuroanatomy, scientific programming, and neuroimaging ecosystems, as well as a strong commitment to reproducibility.

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

• Significant experience developing scientific software and computational workflows
• Programming in Python, R, or other scientific computing environments
• Experience with neuroimaging tools such as FreeSurfer, FSL , AFNI , or related frameworks
• Experience working with neuroimaging or other large biomedical datasets
• Familiarity with neuroinformatics platforms, including research data systems such as XNAT or REDCap
• Experience collaborating with interdisciplinary research teams
• Demonstrated contributions to research software, analysis tools, or data processing pipelines
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to HIPAA
• Ability to produce scientific reports, memos, and publications for peer-reviewed journals and grant writing and submission

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience

• Development of automated pipelines for large-scale data processing deployable on cluster such as SLURM
• Experience working with DICOM data and imaging data anonymization workflows
• Data visualization for scientific analysis and reporting
• Use of version control systems (e.g., Git) and collaborative software development practices
• Experience working in Linux or research computing environments

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Quick Link

https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/325297

Posting Contact Information

Department Contact Name and Title Ammie Senn, HR Consultant

Department Contact Telephone or Email [e-mail]

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.

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.