Research Associate

East Carolina University; Greenville (SC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Research Associate to support graduate students in research projects. In this role, you will collaborate with faculty, assist in participant recruitment, and manage lab activities. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research in physical therapy while developing your skills in project management and instructional design. Join a dynamic team dedicated to advancing knowledge and improving patient outcomes through innovative research. If you are passionate about research and education, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering, biomechanics, or motor control required.
• Strong technical skills and effective communication are essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist and mentor graduate students in research project execution.
• Develop instructional guides and oversee lab activities.
• Manage laboratory resources and maintain equipment.

Skills

Technical and instrumentation skills

Effective written communication skills

Effective oral communication skills

Team dynamics

Research principles knowledge

Motion analysis techniques

Balance and gait assessment

Virtual reality technology

Metabolic testing

Computer coding experience

Education

Master’s degree in engineering

Master’s degree in biomechanics

Master’s degree in motor control

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. In addition to submitting a candidate profile online, please submit online the required applicant documents:

Letter of Interest

List of Three References (noting contact information)

2-3 original letters of reference are required for employment. Please be aware that if selected as a candidate of choice, an automatic e-mail will be sent to the individuals entered by the applicant in the References section of the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system. Letters of reference submitted via the PeopleAdmin.

Anticipated Recruitment Range: Salary offered may be outside of this range as impacted by budget, UNC salary administration, and/or candidate qualifications. Commensurate with Qualifications.

Position Location: Greenville, North Carolina

Position Type: Non-Faculty

Job Category: Non-Faculty Instructional & Research

Organizational Unit Overview: The Department of Physical Therapy, in the College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS) at ECU, has strong administrative support, excellent teaching, research, and clinical facilities, and attracts top-quality students to its Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Five well-equipped research labs are maintained by the Department and existing PT faculty are in place to collaborate on projects including musculoskeletal modeling, postural control and sensorimotor processing, blood and muscle analysis, pediatric rehabilitation strategies, and more. Additional information regarding the Department’s research programs and facilities may be found at the following site: https://pt.ecu.edu/research/. The Department’s 15 full-time faculty members all contribute to the fully accredited three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy program, with 30 students admitted annually. Department faculty may also mentor PhD students enrolled in the Movement Sciences and Disorders concentration of the College of Allied Health Sciences Rehabilitation Sciences PhD degree program. Opportunities for clinical practice are available through the Department faculty clinic and the pro bono inter-professional Student Run Clinic.

Job Duties:

The primary role of a Research Associate will consist of assisting and mentoring graduate students in the design and execution of research projects conducted by ECU Department of Physical Therapy faculty. In collaboration with ECU DPT faculty mentors, this will include recruitment and data collection with human participants across the lifespan, student training and oversight, project workflow development and maintenance, instructional guide development and maintenance, laboratory research equipment maintenance/troubleshooting/repair, assisting in student and faculty grant preparation, manuscripts and presentations, management of shared laboratory resources (inventory purchasing, monitoring, tracking), website maintenance, STEAM outreach activities, oversight of day-to-day lab activities, research activity report generation, and other duties as specified by the department chair and/or lab directors.

Research – (30%)

• Conduct/assist students in conducting all aspects of research including participant recruitment and scheduling, data collection, and data analysis with human participants across the lifespan;
• Assist students and faculty in preparing grant proposals, manuscripts and presentations;
• Generate research activity reports.

Instruction and training – (30%)

• Develop and maintain instructional guides for research labs/projects;
• Conduct student training in the use of laboratory equipment;
• Oversee students’ use of laboratory equipment;
• Conduct STEAM outreach activities.

Management and compliance – (30%)

• Develop and maintain project workflows;
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory research equipment;
• Manage shared laboratory resources (inventory purchasing, monitoring, tracking);
• Maintain department and lab websites;
• Oversee day-to-day lab activities.

Other duties – (10%)

• Perform other tasks and special projects as specified by the department chair and/or lab directors.

Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree in engineering, biomechanics, motor control or related area.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: None

Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education:

• Strong technical and instrumentation skills
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative team dynamics
• Basic knowledge of research principles, study design, and analysis
• Expertise with motion analysis techniques, balance and gait assessment, virtual reality technology, metabolic testing, image processing, brain activity research techniques and/or blood/muscle/tissue analysis techniques
• Computer coding experience related to human subjects’ movement analysis

Special Instructions to Applicant: East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. In addition to submitting a candidate profile online, please submit online the required applicant documents:

Letter of Interest

List of Three References (noting contact information)

2-3 original letters of reference are required for employment. Please be aware that if selected as a candidate of choice, an automatic e-mail will be sent to the individuals entered by the applicant in the References section of the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system. Letters of reference submitted via the PeopleAdmin.

Additional Instructions to Applicant: In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.

Job Open Date: 04/21/2025

Open Until Filled: Yes

Job Close Date: Positions will be posted until 11:59 p.m. EST on this date. If no closing date is indicated, the position may close at any time after the initial screening date.

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at [phone] (Voice/TTY) or [e-mail].

Eligibility for Employment: Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity: If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at [phone] or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to [e-mail]. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.

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