What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Researcher position at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab?
General Summary
The Post-Doctoral Fellow in Rehabilitation Technologies & Outcomes Research is responsible for the development and execution of industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated research in wearable sensors, rehab robotics, neuromodulation, and other assistive and adaptive technologies to measure or treat physical disability. The applicant will work in the Max Nader Center for Rehabilitation Technologies & Outcomes Research, a part of the Center of Bionic Medicine. Members of the research team include engineers, neuroscientists, physicians, therapists, and additional staff in the rehabilitation community. The center’s overarching goal is to inform clinical practice through rigorous quantitative research.
A successful applicant should have a background in biomedical research, engineering, neuroscience, biomechanics, or a related discipline with knowledge or interest in physiology, rehabilitation, and biomedical/clinical principles. Ideal candidates would also have strong computational and statistical skills. A moderate level of independence will be expected, including the ability to mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Previous experience with electrical stimulation techniques and analyzing physiological sensor-based data (such as from EMG, ECG, accelerometers, or gyroscopes) is strongly preferred.
The Post Doctoral Fellow will consistently demonstrate support of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab statement of Vision, Mission and Core Values by striving for excellence, contributing to the team efforts and showing respect and compassion for patients and their families, fellow employees, and all others with whom there is contact at or in the interest of the institute.
The Post Doctoral Fellow will demonstrate Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and Core Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, and Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties.
Principal Responsibilities
The Post Doctoral Fellow will:
- Design, execute, and interpret research pertaining to neuromodulation and electrical stimulation.
- Assist with development of collaborative projects within and outside the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and test ideas for new project development.
- Apply for fellowships and grants for external lab funding and career development.
- Develop, submit and publish the results of research projects in high quality journals and present data to public conferences/seminars when needed.
- Participate weekly lab meetings, journal clubs and seminars.
- Build and maintain a well-organized and accountable journal of own laboratory protocols, experiments, results and analyses.
- Perform all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
Required Experience
- Doctoral degree (PhD) and relevant research experience in biomedical engineering, neuroscience, rehabilitation science, or a related field.
- Less than 2 years of postdoctoral training.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
- Proficiency in analytical and statistical skills to execute appropriate tests and interpret results.
- Ability to work closely with patients, clinicians, research team members, and professional organizations.
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills needed to participate as a creative member of a growing research team.
- Willingness to network within the organization and to independently strengthen/develop new external collaborations.
- Ability to make timely plans and to coordinate project completions.
- Experience with electrical stimulation techniques and EMG signal processing is strongly preferred
