Research Jobs at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with Visa Sponsorship
Research jobs at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill span faculty-supported labs, sponsored projects, and interdisciplinary centers across one of the country's leading public research universities. The institution has an established infrastructure for supporting international researchers, making it a realistic target for candidates who need visa sponsorship.
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Department Lineberger Compr Cancer Center - 426801
Posting Open Date 11/25/2024
Open Until Filled Yes
Position Type Permanent Faculty
Working Title Open Rank Faculty/Associate Director for Basic Cancer Research
Appointment Type Admin Appointment with Faculty Rank
Vacancy ID FAC0005376
Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Permanent
Hours per week 40
FTE 1
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range Dependent on Qualifications/Experience
Proposed Start Date 03/01/2025
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.
Position Summary
We are seeking the Associate Director for Basic Cancer Research (AD BCR) at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. This individual will hold a primary faculty appointment within the School of Medicine, with a secondary administrative appointment as the AD BCR. Appointment and rank in an academic department will be determined by the applicant’s qualifications. This is a senior-level faculty rank, and the selected candidate will be a faculty member who conducts outstanding basic cancer research. The AD BCR shall be an established, NCI funded independent investigator with interdisciplinary translational research in any area of cancer biology with significant high impact publications and extramural grant funding.
Responsibilities include: mentorship of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty members; serve as a member of the Lineberger Senior Leadership Team and aid in the recruitment of junior faculty; foster close working relationships with Program Leaders and Shared Resource Directors; participate in team science initiatives.
Administrative duties include: upon request, perform reviews of grant applications and investigator-initiated clinical trials originating from the Center to ensure basic science opportunities are embedded into each, as appropriate; attend and actively participate in LCCC research program meetings to foster programmatic content that is inclusive of basic science concepts; at the direction of the Cancer Center Director, represent the program during NCI site visits and annual External Advisory Board meetings; work collaboratively with fellow Associate Directors to co-create a scientific community at Lineberger reflective of all components of an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center.
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (LCCC) is one of the largest research organizations in the UNC system. UNC Lineberger is the only public NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center within the State of North Carolina and supports 425 members, 605 staff, nine research programs, and 32 shared resources. UNC Lineberger has been rated an exceptional NCI center in the last three CCSG cycles (2010, 2015, 2020) making it eligible to extend the current cycle to 2027.
LCCC is the center of cancer research at UNC-Chapel Hill and beyond. LCCC focuses on a mission to propel cancer research for the state of North Carolina, the nation, and the globe to improve patient outcomes. As a large matrix cancer center, they are physically located in the center of the medical campus in the UNC Lineberger building, a 79,000 square foot building dedicated exclusively to cancer research. It is flanked by Marsico Hall (completed in 2015) and the Mary Ellen Jones Building (completed in 2021), where LCCC has additional wet and dry research facilities. LCCC has more than 170,000 square feet of dedicated research across the campus. Patients are seen in Basnight Cancer Hospital completed in 2009. The faculty are representative of the broad scope and depth of LCCC’s cancer research enterprise. Forty-eight departments are represented across the campus, including those in the Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health, Dentistry, Journalism, Social Work, and the College of Arts and Sciences.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
PhD, MD, or MD/PhD.
Relevant leadership experience.
Exceptional writing skills for grant applications as well as high impact peer-reviewed publications.
Strong track record of collaborations with basic, clinical and translational scientists.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
Relevant NCI cancer center program leadership experience.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
N/A
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.
Tips for Finding Research Jobs at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Align your credentials to federal specialty occupation standards
UNC Chapel Hill's research positions typically require a directly related advanced degree. Before applying, confirm your degree field maps to the specific research discipline in the job posting, since USCIS assesses specialty occupation fit at the role level, not just degree level.
Target grant-funded research units early in hiring cycles
Research positions tied to active NIH, NSF, or federal grants open and close quickly. Check UNC's Office of Research and the relevant department pages for postings, since these roles fund sponsorship independently and often move faster than centrally budgeted hires.
Understand how OPT and CPT bridge to longer-term sponsorship
If you're on F-1 status, UNC regularly hires researchers under OPT and CPT before transitioning eligible candidates to H-1B or J-1. Confirm your OPT end date against the academic hiring calendar so there's enough runway for your department to file.
Ask hiring managers which visa types their department has processed
UNC sponsors H-1B, E-3, TN, and J-1 visas for research roles, but individual departments vary in familiarity with each category. During interviews, ask directly which visa types the lab or center has handled so you understand the internal support available to you.
Build your immigration timeline around H-1B cap deadlines
For cap-subject H-1B positions, USCIS registration opens in March for an October 1 start. Research roles at UNC that require a cap-subject H-1B need your employer to register in that window, so back-plan your offer timeline to avoid missing it.
Use Migrate Mate to filter open research roles by visa type
Targeting UNC Chapel Hill specifically for research sponsorship is faster when you can filter by role type and visa category together. Migrate Mate lets you search UNC's open research positions filtered by the visa types they sponsor, saving time on manual job board searches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill sponsor H-1B visas for Researchs?
Yes, UNC Chapel Hill sponsors H-1B visas for qualifying research positions. The role must meet USCIS specialty occupation standards, meaning it requires a directly related bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field. Grant-funded research positions often have dedicated budget for sponsorship, which can simplify the internal approval process compared to centrally funded roles.
How do I apply for Research jobs at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
Applications go through UNC Chapel Hill's official careers portal, where research positions are listed by department and funding source. You can also find open roles filtered by visa sponsorship availability on Migrate Mate. Tailor your CV to the specific research discipline and funding context in the posting, and address your visa status clearly in your cover letter or application materials.
Which visa types are commonly used for Research roles at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
UNC Chapel Hill sponsors several visa categories for research staff, including H-1B, E-3 visa for Australian citizens, TN visa for Canadian and Mexican nationals, J-1 visa for exchange researchers, and F-1 OPT and CPT for current students. The visa type used depends on your nationality, degree status, and the specific research position's funding structure and duration.
What qualifications are expected for sponsored Research positions at UNC Chapel Hill?
Most sponsored research roles require at least a master's degree or active PhD enrollment in a directly related field, since the position must qualify as a USCIS specialty occupation. Relevant publications, lab skills specific to the department's research area, and prior experience with federally funded projects strengthen your application considerably for competitive postings.
How do I plan my timeline if I need visa sponsorship for a Research role at UNC Chapel Hill?
Timeline depends on your visa category. J-1 and TN processing can happen within weeks. H-1B cap-subject roles require a March registration and can't start before October 1, so you need an offer in place before registration closes. If you're on OPT, confirm your expiration date aligns with when your department can realistically complete an H-1B or E-3 filing.