Post-Doc Research Associate - Dr. Sam Lai's lab

Posting Information

Department SOP-DPMP - 452400

Posting Open Date 01/12/2026

Final date to receive applications Open Until Filled

Position Type Postdoctoral Scholar

Position Title Post-Doc Research Associate - Dr. Sam Lai's lab

Vacancy PDS
004748

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 experience and qualification.

Proposed Start Date 02/09/2026

Estimated Duration of Appointment 12 Months

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 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 UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) 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 Pharm

D 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 ().

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.

Position Summary

Multiple Postdoctoral Research Associate positions are available in the Lai Lab at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. We seek intellectually curious and highly motivated candidates with a strong record of scientific productivity and innovation. Ideal applicants will have expertise in virology, molecular biology, gene delivery, immune cell therapy, computational modeling, immunology, bioengineering, or closely related disciplines.

The primary focus is to advance in vivo engineering of immune cells for cancer, auto-immune and/or infectious disease applications, with the goal of not only advancing safe and highly efficacious therapies but also with cost profiles that greatly reduce access barriers for many immunotherapies. We broadly welcome applications from top applicants who can contribute unique expertise towards this effort. As the research progresses forward, the understanding is that…