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Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Durham, NC

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Postdoctoral Research Associate information

See Durham, NC salary details

$41K

$83K

$112.5K

How much do postdoctoral research associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral research associate in Durham, NC is $82,991.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,100.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a postdoctoral research associate?

A Postdoctoral Research Associate, often called a postdoc, is a person who has recently completed their doctoral studies (PhD or equivalent) and is engaged in scholarly research as part of a temporary position, usually at a university or research institution. The role is designed to deepen their expertise in a specific field, contribute to research projects, publish academic papers, and develop skills for future independent research or academic positions. Postdocs typically work under the supervision of a principal investigator (PI) and may also mentor graduate or undergraduate students.

What is a postdoctoral research associate?

Postdoctoral research associates are professionals who have completed their doctorate and are continuing their research to gain hands-on experience before starting their academic careers. Their duties usually include researching with the support of a small team and writing papers for academic journals. Depending on the field of research, a postdoctoral research associate may also have other responsibilities. These positions are typically short-term.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a postdoctoral research associate?

To thrive as a Postdoctoral Research Associate, you need an advanced degree (typically a Ph.D.) in a relevant field, strong research methodology skills, and a track record of scholarly publications. Familiarity with specialized laboratory equipment, data analysis software, or programming languages is often required, depending on the research area. Excellent problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and effective written and verbal communication set outstanding candidates apart. These skills are crucial for producing high-quality research, contributing to scientific advancement, and securing future academic or industry positions.

What are some common challenges faced by postdoctoral research associates when transitioning to independent research roles?

Postdoctoral Research Associates often encounter challenges such as balancing multiple research projects, securing independent funding, and developing a unique research identity separate from their advisor. Navigating the transition also involves building professional networks and gaining experience in grant writing, mentoring, and publishing as a lead author. Proactively seeking mentorship and collaborating across disciplines can help ease these challenges and support a successful move to an independent research career.

What is the difference between Postdoctoral Research Associate vs Research Scientist?

AspectPostdoctoral Research AssociateResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree (Ph.D.) in relevant fieldMaster's or Ph.D., often with more industry experience
Work EnvironmentAcademic or research institutions, labsIndustry, corporate R&D, or academic settings
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, government labs, research institutesPrivate companies, biotech, pharma, tech firms
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Postdoctoral Research Associates typically hold a Ph.D. and work in academic or research institutions focusing on specialized research projects. Research Scientists often have similar credentials but may work in industry settings with broader responsibilities, including product development and applied research. The main difference lies in the work environment and career stage, with Postdoctoral Research Associates usually in early career research roles and Research Scientists in more advanced, industry-focused positions.

What cities near Durham, NC are hiring for Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs?

Cities near Durham, NC with the most Postdoctoral Research Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Research Associate job openings in Durham, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,991 per year, or $39.9 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Chapel Hill, NC • On-site


University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 10K+ employees

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

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313th of 623 rated colleges and universities

People enjoy working here

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Recommended by students


Full-time

Medical, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Posting Information
Posting Details
Department
Epidemiology - 463501
Posting Open Date
08/17/2026
Application Deadline
Open Until Filled
Yes
Position Type
Postdoctoral Scholar
Position Title
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Vacancy ID
PDS004945
Full-time/Part-time
Full-Time Temporary
Hours per week
40
FTE
1
Work Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Position Location
North Carolina, US
Hiring Range
Dependent on Qualifications
Proposed Start Date
Estimated Duration of Appointment
12 Months
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 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.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The Department of Epidemiology is one of the eight departments located in the Gillings School of Global Public Health. The department's primary focus is to the development and application of research methods to understand the patterns and causes of health and disease, and the application of that knowledge to improving the health of populations. We provide strong training in research methods and opportunities for the application of epidemiology to a wide range of health problems through our research. The achievements of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni have enabled us to become one of the leading academic departments of epidemiology in the world. At UNC-CH, Epidemiology is one of the largest and most complex departments on campus. For FY25, Epidemiology was 5th among all departments and centers across campus in research funding at UNC Chapel Hill. The department has 38 Tenured-Tenure Track / 8 Joint Tenure-Track Faculty, 16 Fixed Term / 4 Joint Fixed Term Faculty, 120 Adjuncts, 31 EHRA Non-Faculty, 18 Postdocs, 20SHRA, 29 Temps, and 234 Students (148 PhD, 74 MPH, AND 12 MSCR) for whom Epidemiology pays 146 as RA/TA/Trainees/Fellows. Total departmental budget of $49 million (FY25).
Position Summary
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Epidemiology is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to projects related to quantitative epidemiologic methods and HIV. The position provides the opportunity to join a multidisciplinary team including epidemiologists, biostatisticians, and clinicians. Goals of the project are to develop new approaches to handle mismeasured endpoints in causal inference and to apply the new approaches to timely and important scientific questions related to HIV. Key activities will include theoretical work developing new estimators, empirical evaluation of the estimators through simulation studies, and application of the estimators to address measurement issues arising in clinical HIV cohort data, surveillance data, and other data sources as needed.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
PhD in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or a related field
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
* Proficiency with R, SAS, or Python
* Quantitative experience in epidemiology and statistics
* Research experience in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, or a related field
* Experience with survival analysis and causal inference
* Experience analyzing clinical cohort data
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Special Instructions
For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here
Quick Link
https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/324044
Posting Contact Information
Department Contact Name and Title
Jess Edwards, Professor
Department Contact Telephone or Email
jkedwar@email.unc.edu
Postdoctoral Affairs Contact Information
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.
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.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill logo

About University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill), located in Chapel Hill, NC, US, is renowned for being one of the leading research institutes in the world. Operating within the education industry, this public research university offers a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across various disciplines. UNC-Chapel Hill was chartered in 1789 and has maintained its legacy of academic excellence and innovative research for more than two centuries. The institution operates under the core values of excellence, innovation, engagement, accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity. Their mission is to serve the people of North Carolina and the United States by teaching a diverse community of students to become the next generation of leaders.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chapel Hill, NC, US

Year founded

1789


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