Open Rank Faculty, Cell Biology & Physiology / Neuroscience Center

Open Rank Faculty, Cell Biology & Physiology / Neuroscience Center

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 . 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
The Department of Cell Biology & Physiology and the Neuroscience Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invite applications for an open-rank, tenure-track faculty position. The successful candidate must have an exceptional record of publications in leading peer-reviewed journals, a well-defined research vision, and will be expected to establish and maintain an innovative externally funded research program. We will consider any qualified candidates working with mammalian models, humans, or human IPSCs. Research areas of particular interest include Alzheimer’s disease, neurodegeneration, pain, glial biology, computational modeling, and translational neuroscience, but outstanding work in any area of neuroscience will be considered.

The Department of Cell Biology & Physiology () and the UNC Neuroscience Center () provide outstanding environments for groundbreaking research and career development. The University offers an array of modern Core facilities for preclinical and clinical research ().

UNC Chapel Hill is ranked eleventh in the US based on federal research. We offer a rich academic environment with extensive opportunities for collaborative research within the institution. As one of the three points of The Research Triangle along with Raleigh and Durham, the lovely university town of Chapel Hill continually receives accolades for being a top location to live and work for educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School System is considered to be one of the best in the nation.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Applicants should have a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD degree and a history of successful research in the neurosciences and demonstrate a high capacity to receive external, independent funding.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Research areas of particular interest include Alzheimer’s disease, neurodegeneration, pain, glial biology, computational modeling, and translational neuroscience, but outstanding work in any area of neuroscience will be considered.

Special Instructions

The application should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, brief (~1,500 word) statement of ongoing and planned research, and names and contact information for four referees. The application deadline is November 22, 2026, but applications will continue to be considered until the position is filled.

Please apply online at

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.