Postdoctoral Research Associate

About the Opportunity

Job Description

The Postdoctoral Research Associate provides scientific and operational leadership for clinical trials in the Movement Neuroscience Lab investigating neuromodulation for pain and muscle function in orthopedic conditions. The lab studies arthrogenic muscle inhibition, treating pain and muscle weakness as co-occurring features that share nervous system pathways rather than as separate problems, in populations including knee osteoarthritis, ACL injury and reconstruction, patellofemoral pain, and knee replacement. The incumbent leads day-to-day conduct of two ongoing trials on pain pathways, collects and analyzes neurophysiologic and biomechanical data, maintains regulatory compliance, and contributes to a research direction on personalization and optimization of neuromuscular electrical stimulation. The position includes support to develop additional research and pursue independent funding within the lab's scope.

Responsibilities

- Lead day-to-day scientific and operational conduct of two clinical trials examining pain pathways and neuromodulation. Manage recruitment, screening, enrollment, retention, and protocol fidelity. Coordinate scheduling and study visits with clinical collaborators and lab personnel.
- Collect, process, and analyze neurophysiologic and biomechanical data, including transcranial magnetic stimulation, EMG, quantitative sensory testing, and isokinetic dynamometry. Develop and maintain analysis pipelines and ensure data quality across sessions.
- Prepare manuscripts, conference abstracts, and grant applications as first author and contributing author. Develop an independent line of research within the lab's scope and pursue independent funding.
- Maintain regulatory compliance and data integrity, including IRB submissions and amendments, reportable event documentation, consent processes, and REDCap database management.
- Contribute to development and testing of the lab's neuromuscular electrical stimulation platform, focused on individualization, usability, and adherence. Train and mentor doctoral and undergraduate students in data collection and analysis.

Qualifications

- Knowledge of human neurophysiology and motor control, clinical trial methodology, and human subjects research regulation;
- Ability to independently plan and execute data collection with human participants, manage study data and regulatory documentation, analyze quantitative physiologic data, and communicate findings in peer-reviewed publications;
- Ability to work collaboratively across clinical and engineering teams. Normally acquired through a PhD in rehabilitation science, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, kinesiology, human movement science, or a closely related field, with prior research experience involving human participants and a record of first-author peer-reviewed publication.

Preferred

- Clinical licensure or clinical training (PT/DPT, MD, DO, OT, or equivalent);
- Experience with non-invasive brain stimulation or neuromuscular electrical stimulation;
- Experience with clinical trial coordination;
- Background in pain neuroscience or sensitization;
- Proficiency with REDCap and with R, MATLAB, or Python.

Position Type

Research

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:
108S

Expected Hiring Range:
$60,315.00 - $85,192.50

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.