Research Scientist

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.

The Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Innovation ( IRMII) is focused on interdisciplinary research and training that lead to better understanding and management of financial losses resulting from perils ranging from extreme weather to pandemics to cyber-attacks. Our mission is to drive the advancement of creative risk management tools and strategies to address growing threats to society, and to cultivate a collaborative ecosystem of academics and industry leaders to train the next generation of risk management professionals. The Institute has a focus on both graduate research and graduate/undergraduate education, with the latter involving the administration of the new Minor in Risk Management. Support for IRMII includes funding from nearly 40 firms from across the insurance and risk management sector, and Institute faculty, staff and students have many opportunities to interact with these partners as they develop research projects and training programs of direct relevance to the industry.

THIS POSTING IS FOR TWO IDENTICAL POSITIONS (POSITION NUMBERS 20071670 & 20071671). BY APPLYING TO THIS POSTING, YOU WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR BOTH AVAILABLE POSITIONS.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking a Research Scientist to direct, perform and attract funding for research in its Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Innovation ( IRMII). This research involves a unique set of skills and expertise to be used in developing computational models that characterize and manage financial risk across a wide range of contexts, from flooding to pandemics to cyberattacks. This includes knowledge of engineering, data science and domain specific expertise in at least one additional area related to financial risk (e.g., environment, public health). Outcomes from this research involve (1) quantification of financial risk through the linking of models that characterize natural, engineered/managed and economic systems, and (2) the subsequent development of novel tools and strategies for managing financial risk.

The successful candidate will engage in the development of interdisciplinary computational models that link natural, engineered/managed and economic systems for the purpose of quantifying financial risk, and then develop tools and strategies for managing that risk. Model development will include detailed computational renderings of these coupled systems in a stochastic simulation environment. These projects will span a range of regions (e.g., California, U.S. Pacific Northwest, U.S. Southeast, Africa) and a number of different economic sectors (e.g., power utilities, water utilities, agriculture, real estate, health care facilities), requiring an understanding of the financial linkages in these sectors, as well as the modeling skills to represent them accurately. In addition to model development, this individual will undertake to train graduate students and post-doctoral researchers in the conduct of this research and oversee their modeling efforts, then assist in the drafting of manuscripts, reports and oral presentations detailing the research.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing research personnel, including graduate students and post-doctoral associates to ensure that project milestones are met, project reports are completed and all requirements of the funders are fulfilled on time and in a satisfactory manner. The individual may also play a central role in coordinating activities with industry partners and/or multiple PIs in large interdisciplinary studies, ensuring that each member of a research team remains connected and coordinated. Other duties will include overseeing the collection, organization and storage of project data in appropriate repositories; monitoring of data sharing/data use agreements with partner organizations, and; coordinating multi-institutional modeling efforts by facilitating intra-team communication and the use of appropriate model sharing platforms (e.g. Github).

The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting with, and in some cases leading, the conception, writing and preparation of new proposals to state and federal funding agencies, as well as other groups for the purpose of securing research funds. This will include not only the development of the research hypotheses and proposal framing, but budget development, inter-institutional partnership arrangements and coordination with both the Institute's operations manager and the University's Office of Sponsored Research. This individual will also be involved in communications with the funders, including response to reviewers, budget revisions and the preparation of annual reports.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.

The successful candidate must have experience in computational modeling that includes elements of engineering, natural science, economics and finance. Experience must also extend to developing interdisciplinary models that incorporate principles from each of these areas into a cohesive whole that enables the characterization of financial risk and subsequent strategies for managing this risk. Computational modeling skills are critical, as is fluency in one or more programming languages (e.g., Python, R, C++). The individual should have the ability to foster partnerships across diverse areas of research expertise and the ability to facilitate collaboration with other institutions, industry partners, and funding agencies. The individual should also have experience in manuscript writing.

At least 3 years of relevant experience is preferred. Research experience that would support the case for an eventual appointment as a research or adjunct faculty member at some future point would be a plus.

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.