Staff
Human Resources for Postdoctoral Scholars:
Postdocs who need HR assistance should start by contacting their school or division’s HR office.
For School/Division HR Representatives Contact: Jordan Todd, HR Consultant.
Essie Torres
Director of Research Workforce Strategy and Community Partnerships; Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
As Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA), Dr. Essie Torres leads efforts to align postdoctoral training and professional development with national recommendations. Her focus is on enhancing the postdoctoral experience through expanded development opportunities, improved mentorship, and career preparation. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs under Torres is also building its mentor network by providing resources to empower mentors and foster a culture of continuous learning for postdoctoral scholars. Additionally, she contributes to UNC system-wide initiatives exploring career pathways for postdocs and strengthening infrastructure to support their training and professional development.
Alan Marsh
Associate Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Dr. Alan Marsh is the primary administrator responsible for the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. Alan directs initiatives and oversees the implementation of training programs for the UNC postdoctoral population. Other responsibilities include providing resources, centralizing communications, informing policy, liaising with different offices across campus, and engaging with faculty. Alan enjoys highlighting the achievements of UNC postdocs and providing a support network to help provide community for postdocs working at the university.
Dara Wilson-Grant
Director of Postdoctoral Career and Professional Development
Dara Wilson-Grant oversees the officeʼs career and professional development programs, including designing and delivering select workshops and initiatives. Dara is also the lead career coach for postdoctoral scholars. She is passionate about helping postdocs transition into the next phase of their career — helping them move forward with greater clarity and confidence and equipped with the tools to advance within their chosen career path or change course.
Jennifer Pruitt Harrison
Program Coordinator
Jennifer is the contact for the Carolina Postdoctoral Program for Faculty Diversity, managing the recruitment, selection, and onboarding of scholars with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences coming to Carolina to prepare for tenure-track faculty positions. She also oversees the logistics for the professional development programs and workshops provided for the program. Previously working under the office of the vice chancellor for research as the assistant to the associate vice chancellor for research, she has over fifteen years of experience working at the university.
Alan Farber
Career Counselor
Alan has helped thousands of students and seasoned professionals to explore their options and realize their professional dreams. He has conducted many professional presentations, and written numerous articles, guides, and book chapters on career-related topics.