BDC Post-Doc Research Associate

Overview

Renaissance Computing Institute ( RENCI ) at UNC Chapel Hill is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to innovative projects within the NIH Bio Data Catalyst ( BDC ) ecosystem, a cloud-based platform that provides secure access to biomedical data, analytic tools, and collaborative work spaces. This position offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge initiatives aimed at improving how researchers interact with complex data and analysis workflows.

Potential project areas include developing semantic search capabilities, designing natural language interfaces for the BDC environment, creating BDC-specific foundation models, enabling large language models (LLM) and machine learning-based workflows within the platform, and advancing data interoperability across the ecosystem. This is a high-impact, translational research infrastructure role at the intersection of biomedical informatics, cloud computing, and AI.

At the Renaissance Computing Institute ( RENCI ), we use data, creativity, and inclusive teaming to revitalize how science is done. We foster data science expertise and cyberinfrastructure to expand human potential by unlocking data. We Need Innovators, Builders, Strategists, Technologists, Architects, And Creative Thinkers Across All Domains To Drive This Work Forward. When You Join Our Team, You’ll

• Spend your time solving the interesting and unique problems of research and development.
• Shape your future through experimentation and unfettered access to premier education and research.
• Make connections to people and projects that ignite your passion.

We value diversity of people and ideas as a cornerstone of innovation. We provide tools to help you do your job effectively, offer flexibility for productivity, and encourage thoughtful discourse. Join our research institute at UNC Chapel Hill to help spark a scientific renaissance across the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and beyond.

The Renaissance Computing Institute ( RENCI ) at UNC Chapel Hill is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to innovative projects within the NIH Bio Data Catalyst ( BDC ) ecosystem, a cloud-based platform that provides secure access to biomedical data, analytic tools, and collaborative work spaces. The role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge initiatives to improve how researchers interact with complex data and analysis workflows.

Potential project areas include developing semantic search capabilities to locate relevant datasets, designing natural language interfaces for intuitive navigation of the BDC environment, creating BDC
-specific foundation models, and enabling LLMs and ML-based workflows. The role may also involve advancing harmonization techniques to improve data interoperability and usability across the ecosystem.

Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Biomedical Informatics, Computer Science, or a related field.

• Experience deploying and working with LLMs
• Agentic workflows and retrieval augmented generation (RAG)
• Prompt engineering experience
• Developing, training, and testing machine learning (ML) models
• Software engineering expertise

• Experience with biomedical data, including clinical, EHR, omics, and imaging
• Knowledge graphs (KGs), and integrating LLMs with KGs
• Multimodal LLMs

For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services, .

Quick Link:

Department Contact Name and

Title:

Misty Parrish, Human Resources Specialist

Department Contact Telephone or Email: misty.parrish

Postdoctoral Affairs Contact Information:
If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, contact the University’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at  or opahr. The Office will not provide updates on 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.