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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Get Access To All JobsDepartment Psychiatry - Research - 412250
Posting Open Date 01/21/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Position Type Permanent Faculty
Working Title Research Assistant Professor
Appointment Type Fixed Term Faculty
Vacancy ID FAC0005795
Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Permanent
Hours per week 40
FTE 1
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range Dependent on Experience and Qualifications
Proposed Start Date 04/06/2026
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
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 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 prepare tomorrow’s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.
Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.
Position Summary
The UNC Institute for Trauma Recovery (ITR) is seeking a Research Assistant Professor (Non-Tenure Track Faculty) to help advance our institute mission as part of the Department of Psychiatry at UNC. The ITR conducts emergency care-based research studies in which individuals are enrolled into prospective observational or intervention studies that seek to better understand and prevent posttraumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae. The Department of Psychiatry in which the ITR resides provides an outstanding environment for groundbreaking research, clinical care, career development and interface with colleagues and other units that perform basic, translational, and clinical research.
The work of the ITR has two overarching goals: (1) To increase understanding of how adverse posttraumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, pain and other somatic symptoms) develop after traumatic stress exposure (e.g., motor vehicle collision, military deployment, sexual assault); and (2) To develop interventions that prevent these outcomes. Our primary strategy to achieve these goals is to recruit and retain outstanding, talented, self-motivated staff, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty who are passionate about improving the lives of trauma survivors. We operate several large acute care-based research networks/registries to perform this work. There are a diversity of activities going on within the ITR to serve our mission, and substantial opportunity to tailor activities based on individual interests (e.g., conduct of medication and/or non-medication clinical trials, analysis of longitudinal data, etc.).
Examples of things a successful candidate will be expected to assist with include:
- Lead ongoing externally funded clinical research projects within the ITR.
- Design, implement, and oversee clinical trials, including emergency department-based, multi-site studies.
- Develop and manage collaborations with internal and external investigators and research sites nationwide.
- Analyze clinical, biological, and patient-reported data; publish results in peer-reviewed journals; and present at national/international meetings.
- Mentor and train graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, and early-stage investigators.
- Contribute to grant development and submission to sustain and expand the ITR’s research portfolio.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
- Doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Epidemiology, Public Health, or related discipline.
- Evidence of excellence in research productivity, including peer-reviewed publications and successful grant writing.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct collaborative, team-based science in multi-site settings.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
- Experience leading or managing large, multi-site clinical trials, ideally within emergency medicine or trauma settings.
- A record of securing extramural funding from NIH, DoD, or comparable agencies.
- Demonstrated success mentoring trainees and junior investigators.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in research and education.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.
Department Psychiatry - Research - 412250
Posting Open Date 01/21/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Position Type Permanent Faculty
Working Title Research Assistant Professor
Appointment Type Fixed Term Faculty
Vacancy ID FAC0005795
Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Permanent
Hours per week 40
FTE 1
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range Dependent on Experience and Qualifications
Proposed Start Date 04/06/2026
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
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 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 prepare tomorrow’s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.
Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.
Position Summary
The UNC Institute for Trauma Recovery (ITR) is seeking a Research Assistant Professor (Non-Tenure Track Faculty) to help advance our institute mission as part of the Department of Psychiatry at UNC. The ITR conducts emergency care-based research studies in which individuals are enrolled into prospective observational or intervention studies that seek to better understand and prevent posttraumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae. The Department of Psychiatry in which the ITR resides provides an outstanding environment for groundbreaking research, clinical care, career development and interface with colleagues and other units that perform basic, translational, and clinical research.
The work of the ITR has two overarching goals: (1) To increase understanding of how adverse posttraumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, pain and other somatic symptoms) develop after traumatic stress exposure (e.g., motor vehicle collision, military deployment, sexual assault); and (2) To develop interventions that prevent these outcomes. Our primary strategy to achieve these goals is to recruit and retain outstanding, talented, self-motivated staff, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty who are passionate about improving the lives of trauma survivors. We operate several large acute care-based research networks/registries to perform this work. There are a diversity of activities going on within the ITR to serve our mission, and substantial opportunity to tailor activities based on individual interests (e.g., conduct of medication and/or non-medication clinical trials, analysis of longitudinal data, etc.).
Examples of things a successful candidate will be expected to assist with include:
- Lead ongoing externally funded clinical research projects within the ITR.
- Design, implement, and oversee clinical trials, including emergency department-based, multi-site studies.
- Develop and manage collaborations with internal and external investigators and research sites nationwide.
- Analyze clinical, biological, and patient-reported data; publish results in peer-reviewed journals; and present at national/international meetings.
- Mentor and train graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, and early-stage investigators.
- Contribute to grant development and submission to sustain and expand the ITR’s research portfolio.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
- Doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Epidemiology, Public Health, or related discipline.
- Evidence of excellence in research productivity, including peer-reviewed publications and successful grant writing.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct collaborative, team-based science in multi-site settings.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
- Experience leading or managing large, multi-site clinical trials, ideally within emergency medicine or trauma settings.
- A record of securing extramural funding from NIH, DoD, or comparable agencies.
- Demonstrated success mentoring trainees and junior investigators.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in research and education.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
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.