Translational Research Scientist - DPMP

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 and is among is the top ten research universities in the nation for federal research expenditures as well as for federally funded social and behavioral sciences research and development.

Here at Carolina, our highly skilled postdocs play a vital role in our research enterprise and towards our overall commitment to research excellence. Across many disciplines, postdocs contribute to the intellectual vitality of the University. They provide innovative ideas and perspectives, foster a stimulating research environment and advance knowledge within their fields. Postdocs are crucial members of our scientific research workforce, contributors to our research outputs and an important reason why Carolina is one of the leading public research institutions in the country.

UNC-Chapel Hill offers postdocs comprehensive medical and vision coverage, paid leave, and benefits and services that support professional development and a healthy work/life balance. Chapel Hill regularly ranks as one of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, a reputation guided by the diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy (www.pharmacy.unc.edu) is one of six health science schools (Pharmacy, Nursing, Dentistry, Social Work, Public Health, Medicine) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is one of the oldest health science academic programs at Chapel Hill. The School teaches approximately 600 PharmD students and 145 graduate students. The School has built a reputation for its continued pursuit of excellence, rigorous education and training programs, cutting-edge multidisciplinary research, progressive pharmacy practices, efficient business operations, and its outstanding faculty, staff, and students. The School was named the number one School of Pharmacy in the U.S. by the U.S. News and World Report. The School has experienced unprecedented growth and success and continues to strategically position itself for sustained impact, as articulated in the School's Strategic Plan (https://pharmacy.unc.edu/about/oe/strategic-plan/).

Our Vision is to be the global leader in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. Our Mission is to prepare leaders and innovators to solve the world's most pressing health care challenges. We are Advancing Medicine for Life through innovation and collaboration in pharmacy practice, education, research, and public service.

The Perry/Hingtgen Laboratory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are seeking a highly motivated Translational Research Scientist to help advance innovative biomaterials-based therapeutic technologies from early concept through prototype development and preclinical validation. This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the interface of biomaterials engineering, cancer biology, and clinical translation within a highly collaborative academic and clinical research environment.
The successful candidate will play a central role in driving several early-stage translational research programs focused on biomaterials-based drug delivery systems and implantable therapeutic platforms. Working closely with an interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and clinician collaborators, the researcher will design and execute experiments that move technologies from discovery toward real-world clinical applications.
Key responsibilities include developing and optimizing biomaterial formulations and prototypes, conducting in vitro cell culture assays, and evaluating therapeutic performance in relevant mouse models. The researcher will contribute to experimental design, data analysis, and project strategy while helping coordinate efforts across multiple parallel projects.
We are seeking candidates who thrive in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment and who are excited to work across multiple teams and translational research initiatives simultaneously. The ideal candidate will bring both strong experimental expertise and a deep interest in advancing technologies toward clinical impact.

PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Pharmaceutics, or a related field.

Demonstrated experience with Biomaterials development, cell culture assays, and mouse models
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
Excellent communication and collaborative skills within interdisciplinary teams

Experience with drug delivery systems, implantable biomaterials, or medical devices
Familiarity with regulatory considerations for translational products (e.g., medical devices or combination products)

For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University's Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at (919) 962-9982 or send an email to opahr@unc.edu.

Please note: The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs 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.