Research Fellow - Research Gap Year

The Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI) is known throughout the world for our research into the causes, prevention, and treatment of orthopaedic disorders. We are committed to solving orthopaedic problems that limit an individual's ability to maintain an active life. SPRI offers Research Fellows seeking a research gap year from medical school an opportunity to advance its research mission and to provide a unique opportunity for research participation to future clinicians, scientists, and engineers. Research Fellows support the Steadman Philippon Research Institutes departments in research tasks for Biomedical Engineering (BME) Robotics and Advance Imaging and the Center for Outcomes-Based Orthopaedic Research (COOR). 

Positions are available in both departments, details following.

Biomedical Engineering (BME) Robotics and Advance Imaging department develops and tests new orthopedic surgeries in cadaveric specimens and evaluates their efficacy using state-of-the-art robotic manipulation and sensors. As a Research Fellow in the orthopedic robotics/biomechanics lab, the employee will play an integral role in projects from initiation to completion. In the study design phase, the employee will conduct literature reviews to identify unanswered clinical questions, participate in team meetings (with bioengineers and orthopedic surgeons) to design studies and assist with submitting project grants for funding. In the testing phase, the employee will work with orthopedic surgeons to prepare and dissect specimens, and with biomedical engineers to conduct testing. After testing, the employee will help interpret data, write manuscripts, and submit to top-tier orthopedic conferences and journals. Research Fellows may also assist with project logistics, such as scheduling test days, acquiring specimens that meet inclusion criteria and managing surgical equipment inventory to ensure we have everything we need for testing days. 

The employee may be working on multiple projects at once, time management is an essential skill. In addition to work within the BME department, Research Fellows are encouraged to shadow the attending surgeons in the operating room and assist clinical fellows in the surgical skills lab. There are also opportunities for collaboration with the Imaging, Regenerative Medicine, and Clinical Outcomes departments. 

Center for Outcomes-Based Orthopaedic Research (COOR) is involved in each of SPRI’s clinical trials and is integral in the publication of SPRI’s papers. The outcomes data in COOR’s database supports The Steadman Clinic’s mission of practicing evidence-based medicine—treatments and techniques that are backed by research. Physicians from all over the world look to COOR’s evidence-based medicine research to inform their clinical decision making.

COOR is the longest standing department at SPRI. The team has been tracking and studying patient outcomes for over thirty years and is now tracking over 47,000 surgeries in the COOR database. The team has collected over 185,000 subjective patient questionnaires and has over 150,000 unique patients included in the database.

With the evidence-based, patient-centered research this aids both physicians and patients in making better and more informed treatment decisions. The Research Fellows responsibilities may include patient contact, research data management and analysis, case reports and surgical technique papers, manuscript writing, book chapters and preparing research presentations. The Research Fellows will be assigned to work with a specific research team for a doctor in either hip or shoulder and may be working on multiple projects at once, time management is an essential skill.

Requirements

• Current medical student seeking a research gap year in Biomedical Engineering (BME) Robotics and Advance Imaging or Center for Outcomes-Based Orthopaedic Research (COOR) required. 
• Experience with cadaver dissection required for the BME position.
• Prior research experience – Preferably in orthopedics preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and organizational skills.
• Well-developed administrative skills with a pro-active approach to organizing tasks.
• Excellent written and verbal skills in English
• Must be eligible to work in the United States. 

Four positions are available for a one-year period with two in each department. Estimated start date March through May 2025 (some flexibility) depending on academic year. Interviews will start in late December or early January. This is a paid position, $20 per hour with a $500 per month stipend for rent with proof of lease. 

Apply today by visiting our website: https://www.sprivail.org/about-us/employment

Benefits offered (based off hiring status): health care, dental, vision, employee assistance program, life, and accidental death, supplemental, FAMLI, STD, LTD, paid time off plans for sick, holidays and bereavement.

The position will remain posted for 60 days or longer if not filled.