Postdoctoral Fellow

Massachusetts General Hospital; Charlestown (NH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 71,750; Full time

Job summary

Massachusetts General Hospital's Cognitive-Motor Behavior Lab at the MGH Institute of Health Professions seeks a postdoctoral scholar (40 hours per week) to conduct clinical and rehabilitation research in multiple sclerosis, funded by a National MS Society Mentor-Based Postdoctoral Training Grant.

The position involves project management, new project design, data analysis, and dissemination activities for ongoing trials on fatigue, visual attention, and rehabilitation outcomes, with

Qualifications

• PhD in a health or rehabilitation field.
• Clinical training in a health or rehabilitation specialty or aligned expertise without a clinical degree.
• Commitment for a minimum of two years to the postdoctoral fellowship.

Responsibilities

• Mentor-directed research activities (50%), including MS-related mobility, fatigue, visual attention and rehabilitation outcomes projects.
• Postdoctoral fellow-directed research activities (30%), development of an independent MS rehabilitation project.
• Professional development (10%), participation in meetings, supervision of students, conference attendance, and weekly seminars.
• Selected courses and workshops (10%), including Responsible Conduct of Research, statistics, implementation science, design and conduct of clinical trials, and NIH pathway navigation.

Skills

Critical thinking

Analytical

Statistics/biostatistics

Movement analysis

Cognitive assessment

Publications (first author)

Communication (verbal & written)

Collaboration

Education

PhD in health or rehabilitation field

Clinical training in rehabilitation/related field

Job description

Job Summary

The Cognitive‑Motor Behavior Lab at the MGH Institute of Health Professions (Principal Investigator: Dr. Prudence Plummer) is seeking a postdoctoral scholar (40 hours per week) to conduct clinical and rehabilitation research in multiple sclerosis (MS). The position is funded by a National MS Society Mentor‑Based Postdoctoral Training Grant and involves project management, new project design, data analysis, and dissemination activities for ongoing trials and studies on fatigue, visual attention, and rehabilitation outcomes.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Mentor‑directed research activities (50%)
  • Dalfampridine combined with physical therapy for improving mobility impairment in people with MS
  • Sensorimotor mechanisms of fatigue in MS
  • Visual attention and postural stability during distracted walking
  • Examination of longitudinal rehabilitation outcome data in people with progressive MS
  • Identifying barriers to accessing rehabilitation by people with progressive MS
  • Other lab projects
• Postdoctoral fellow‑directed research activities (30%)
  • Development of an independent project related to MS rehabilitation aligned with the lab’s focus
• Professional development (10%)
  • Participation in weekly lab meetings
  • Supervisory responsibility and mentorship of doctoral and master’s students
  • Conference attendance and participation
  • Attendance at weekly doctoral seminar
• Selected courses, training workshops, seminars (10%)
  • Responsible Conduct of Research
  • Statistical methods
  • Implementation Science workshops
  • Design and conduct of clinical trials
  • Grant writing courses and workshops
  • Navigating NIH pathway to independence

Education, Experience, and Qualifications

• PhD in a health or rehabilitation field.
• Clinical training in a health or rehabilitation specialty (e.g., physical therapy) or aligned expertise without a clinical degree (e.g., kinesiology, human movement science).
• Interest in pursuing a career in rehabilitation research in MS.
• Commitment for a minimum of two years to the postdoctoral fellowship.

Skills Required

• Excellent critical‑thinking and appraisal skills
• Ability to learn quickly with sufficient resources and training, analytical thinker
• Strong background in statistics and biostatistics
• Experience with movement analysis systems and/or cognitive assessment
• First author of one or more peer‑reviewed scientific publications or preprint
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong problem‑solving skills
• Ability to collaborate with other lab members and scientists

Additional Job Details

The compensation range for this role is $70,000 to $71,750, with the final offer determined by experience and qualifications.

Remote Type

Onsite

Work Location

Two Constitution Wharf

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Employee Type

Regular

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

EEO Statement

1700 The MGH Institute of Health Professions, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to individuals with disabilities or who require accommodation in the job application process. For assistance, contact Human Resources at (857)‑282‑7642.

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