Research Assistant Professor

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

The UNC School of Medicine has a rich tradition of excellence and care. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing 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. We strive to promote faculty, staff, and learner development in a diverse, respectful environment where our colleagues demonstrate professionalism, enhance learning, and create personal and professional sustainability. We optimize our partnership with the UNC Health System through close collaboration and commitment to service.

OUR VISION

Our vision is to be the nation's leading public school of medicine. We are ranked 2nd in primary care education among all US schools of medicine and 5th among public peers in NIH research funding. Our Allied Health Department is home to five top-ranked divisions, and we are home to 18 top-ranked clinical and basic science departments in NIH research funding.

OUR MISSION

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 will 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 will prepare tomorrow's health care professionals and biomedical researchers by facilitating learning within innovative curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education. We will cultivate outstanding teaching and research faculty, and we will recruit outstanding students and trainees from highly diverse backgrounds to create a socially responsible, highly skilled workforce.

Research: We will develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers, and resources.

We will provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our University to support outstanding research. We will foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic, and population research.

Position Summary

This position is a full-time fixed-term appointment at the Research Assistant Professor level, situated primarily in the UNC Suicide Prevention Institute (SPI) in the Department of Psychiatry. SPI is seeking a researcher with a track record in big data analysis and large language models.

The applicant is expected to be a skilled, independent researcher, with experience in grant and paper writing. Applicants with clinical training are optimal to ensure the clinical applicability and translatability of SPI research. SPI is seeking a researcher with experience working with large local, state, and national databases on projects related mental health and the application of large data models to mental health policy at the local, state, and federal level.

The applicant should have experience presenting data to academic, government, and community audiences and be an excellent communicator of research. The successful candidate will be expected to write grants to finance new independent projects related to the mission of SPI and to write manuscripts and give presentations on local, national, and international meetings related to their science. The faculty member will have specific duties training undergraduates, medical students and residents, MPH students, PhD students, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty members associated with SPI.

The UNC Suicide Prevention Institute (SPI) is a large multidisciplinary organization that unites researchers, clinicians, educators, policymakers, people of faith, those in marginalized communities, and lived experience advisors to rapidly deploy scalable evidence-informed primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention interventions for suicide.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

A PhD in a field related to the mission of SPI is essential (e.g., statistics, epidemiology, health policy) along with a clinical/professional degree (e.g., nursing, psychology, social work, medicine). All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Strong and demonstrated data analytic skills. Experience working with large datasets such as health insurance claims, electronic medical records, and national datasets (e.g., NHIS, NSDUH, BRFSS, HCUP). Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Must be able to work with diverse populations effectively and professionally. Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Prior experience in teaching, mentoring and supervising trainees and faculty in advanced data analytic skills is required.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Not applicable

Special Physical/Mental Requirements Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/280027