Postdoctoral Research Associate

Position Summary

The Human Performance Laboratory and Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR) at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher in the area of motor control and biomechanics of human movement. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in human movement sciences, engineering, biomechanics, and/or kinesiology/exercise/sport science, as it relates to gait and posture in healthy and patient populations. The Postdoctoral Researcher will work under the direct supervision of Dr. Noah Rosenblatt.

The candidate must be proficient in MATLAB programming and have a demonstrated publication history. Experience working with, or strong desire to work with, patients with diabetes and/or users of orthotics and prosthetics is highly encouraged. The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of our research program including project conception, experimental design and execution, and will receive broad training and mentorship as they progress on to the next stage of their career. They will have the opportunity to supervise and mentor graduate students within Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine and visiting undergraduate students. They will be required to manage and execute the timely dissemination of research results via publications and presentations. Travel to disseminate research findings may be expected.

Our generous benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision plans; paid parental leave; short term and long term disability plans; life insurance; flexible spending accounts; and a 403(b) retirement plan which includes a 8% employer contribution after 2 years of service. RFUMS is committed to employee wellbeing and work-life balance. Full time staff are eligible for 3 weeks of vacation/ paid leave, 15 sick days, and 13 holidays plus two floating holidays.

Who We Are

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS), is located in the city of North Chicago, Illinois, between the thriving cities of Chicago and Milwaukee at the northeast corner of Illinois. RFUMS's main campus is home to a richly diverse community. It is the only graduate health science university in the United States proudly named after a woman scientist. The university embodies the spirit of inquiry and excellence modeled by its namesake Dr. Rosalind Franklin. RFUMS is comprised six postgraduate health profession schools and colleges, including the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine which houses CLEAR.

Founded in 2004, CLEAR's mission is to make measurable improvements in the health and function of the lower extremities by using multidisciplinary approaches to: biomedical engineering, clinical & basic sciences, and health services. CLEAR serves as one of the nation's most productive and well-known interdisciplinary podiatric research centers as evidenced by its exemplary publication record in diverse journals and a history of industry and federally funded projects from agencies including the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, The National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the American Diabetes Association.

Ongoing research efforts within CLEAR are focused on: biomechanics of locomotion; fall-risk assessment; fall-prevention; human performance optimization; diabetic wound healing; promoting mobility across diverse populations including older adults, patients with diabetes, patients with traumatic brain injury, patients with obesity, and patients with lower extremity amputation; injury prevention; material testing of prosthetic and orthotic devices.

Much of the research within CLEAR is performed within The Human Performance Laboratory, a state-of-the-art 1800 sq ft facility fully equipped to support all research needs. The lab currently houses a 16-camera motion capture system with markerless capabilities (Theia3D), 5 Kistler force plates, a Motek instrumented C-Mill treadmill, Biodex dynamometer, Instron material testing system, a Gaitrite system, a Pedar plantar pressure system, an Emed pressure mat, a portable calorimetry system, and ADPM full body OPAL sensors.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the Postdoctoral Researcher will be to help:-

• Contribute to the efforts of a Department of Defense project (DoD) study, in collaboration with the North Chicago VA, to examine the relationship between diabetes status, fatigability during walking, and prospective falls in transtibial amputees:
  1. Actively assist in patient recruitment
  2. On site collection of study data including kinematic data collection during walk test (using IMU system) and balance assessments
  3. Coordinate with collaborating organizations to ensure continued data collection at remote sites.
  4. Work toward attainment of a Without Compensation (WOC) appointment at the VA to assist with recruitment and data collection at the VA as needed.
  5. Manage data transfers from collaborators at VA site.
  6. Maintain and update database of participant data.
  7. Assist in conduct of statistical analysis and data interpretation.
  8. Dissemination of results via publications and presentations
• Contribute to the activities of an ongoing Department of Defense project examining the relationship between residual limb muscle strength and power and reactive balance control in transfemoral amputees
  1. Collection of residual limb muscle testing
  2. Collection of postural perturbation data on amputees
  3. Dissemination of results.
• Contribute to the activities of an ongoing Department of Defense project examining the relationship between residual limb muscle strength and power and reactive balance control in transfemoral amputees
  1. Collection of remaining muscle testing and falls data.
  2. Dissemination of results.
• Pursue any independent research projects as agreed with Dr Rosenblatt
• Assist with IRB documentation as it relates to ongoing projects
• Assist with participant recruitment
• Supervise and mentor the lab activities of graduate students , community undergraduates and other and research assistants as required.

Conditions of Employment

• Must achieve satisfactory results from a background check.
• Must have proof of COVID 19 vaccination with booster or a university approved exemption.

Required Education & Experience

• Doctoral degree in Kinesiology / Exercise or Sports Science, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field. The selected candidate must have a conferred Ph.D. upon hire.
• Record of publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• MATLAB Programming experience
• Ability to multitask
• Ability to work independently

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and interest in working with patients with diabetes and limb loss.
• Experience in collection of human movement data using motion capture system.
• Extensive experience conducting human subject research.
• Experience in designing and troubleshooting systems for collection of research data
• Knowledge of inertial sensors, including the processing and analysis of raw data
• Demonstrated interest in one or more of the following: neuromuscular control of movement, locomotion, postural control, biomechanics, dynamical systems theory, fall prevention.
• Knowledge and ability to independently implement statistical analyses.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to excel in both team and individual environments.

Typical Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Selected candidate must have the mental and physical capabilities to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

EOE, Including Disability / Vets