Research Postdoctoral Fellow, Spinal Cord Lab

Site: The Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Corporation

At Mass General Brigham, we know it takes a surprising range of talented professionals to advance our mission—from doctors, nurses, business people and tech experts, to dedicated researchers and systems analysts. As a not-for-profit organization, Mass General Brigham is committed to supporting patient care, research, teaching, and service to the community. We place great value on being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization as we aim to reflect the diversity of the patients we serve.

At Mass General Brigham, we believe a diverse set of backgrounds and lived experiences makes us stronger by challenging our assumptions with new perspectives that can drive revolutionary discoveries in medical innovations in research and patient care. Therefore, we invite and welcome applicants from traditionally underrepresented groups in healthcare — people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ community, and/or gender expansive, first and second-generation immigrants, veterans, and people from different socioeconomic backgrounds – to apply.

Job Summary

At Spaulding, we aim to apply research results and new ideas to patient care as quickly as possible. As the principal teaching hospital of the Harvard Medical School Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, new ideas and a passion for innovation are part of our makeup. This academic affiliation and combined resources allow us to maintain a vigorous research agenda and operate ongoing clinical trials. These and other endeavors enhance Spaulding’s treatment programs, with clinical research results that often quickly find their way to the bedside.

The post-doctoral fellowship is within the INSPIRE lab at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. The fellow will actively study the neuromechanics of whole limb movements in able-bodied persons and persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Our research team examines the enduring effects of novel treatments on the neuromechanics of limb movements after SCI through rigorous experimentation, electrophysiology, and modeling.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in one or more of the following areas: neuroscience, rehabilitation, and/or engineering. Strong quantitative and experimental skills are required. The position is available for up to one year, with an option to renew this training provided adequate progress is made and the project funding is continued. The work will be conducted in a highly interdisciplinary research environment composed of physiologists, clinicians, neuroscientists, and engineers. In addition to our primary research program, there will be several opportunities to interact and collaborate with faculty in the Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow position is time-limited. It is intended to be a short-term training position, followed by a move to an independent investigator or research career position. The maximum term of service for a Research Fellow appointment is five (5) years.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research in the field of physical rehabilitation

• Collects, record, analyze and present data

• Maintains research records and databases

• Conduct literature searches

• Assists with recruiting patients for clinical trials

• Obtains patient study data from medical records, physicians, etc.

• Uses software programs to generate graphs and reports

• Prepares reports of completed projects for publication in technical journals, presentations at professional meetings/conferences, and for use in further applied or theoretical research activities.

• Participates in manuscript writing for publication in scientific journals and/or for presentations

• Performs administrative support duties as required

• Draft grants and portions of grants for submission to federal and private agencies with the assistance of the lab director

• Works under general supervision

• Stay current in area of research interest through review of the relevant literature; educate self about the latest methods and evidence related to physiologic, cardiovascular, and biomedical science

• Prepare clinical research protocols and documents for submission to IRB

• Assists with recruiting participants for clinical trials

• Conduct clinical research following all institution, state, and federal regulations.

• Collect research data from participants

• Obtains participant study data from medical records, physicians, etc.

Lab Specific functions and requirements:

• Under the supervision of Randy Trumbower, PT, PhD the candidate should have

• Post-doctoral role is performed per established guidelines.

• Activities are completed commensurate with technical skills and expertise that were agreed upon at hire.

• Scientific posters, presentations and publications are completed to meet established goals.

• Lab and institutional representation are consistent with laboratory aims and SRN mission.

• Work practices are compliant with funding requirements and regulations.

• Project budget is monitored to meet financial targets.

• Uphold the PCC Organizational Values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.

Education/Degree
Required

• Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in their field of study.

Experience
Required

• Neurologic rehabilitation research

• Publication in clinical research

Skills

• Expertise in clinical and/or neuromechanical assessment of human limb movements

• CPR certification

Required

• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills

• Confident, articulate, and professional communication skills

• The ability to efficiently & professionally communicate, in English (oral & written)

• Strong expertise in rehabilitation research

• Knowledge of clinical research protocols

• Careful attention to details
  

Onsite

300 First Avenue

40

Regular

Day (United States of America)

The Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Corporation is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Mass General Brigham Competency Framework

At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership “looks like” by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.