Post Doctoral Fellow - Neurology (Stroke Recovery) - JR009921

Post Doctoral Fellow - Neurology (Stroke Recovery)

Department: SOM KC Neurology - Stroke ----- Research in Exercise and Cardiovascular Health Laboratory

Position Title: Post Doctoral Fellow - Neurology (Stroke Recovery)

Job Family Group: Professional Staff

Job Description Summary:

The Stroke Recovery Research Fellow will contribute to translational research in stroke recovery within the Department of Neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. The position includes work with data from the Fitness After Stroke (FAST) clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05936008), which examines the effects of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on a recumbent stepper. Available datasets include measures related to cardiorespiratory fitness, brain health, and walking outcomes. The fellow will participate in ongoing research activities, including the HIT Stroke trial, and will have access to datasets, mentorship, and collaborative research projects within the division. The role also includes involvement in research related to vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) for stroke recovery including the VNS-paired GRASP longitudinal study.

This position is intended for a physical therapist with interest in clinical trials and translational research. It includes research training and scholarly activity, with expectations for contribution to team-based research and publication efforts. The fellow will progressively develop independent research questions and a scholarly portfolio, with level of independence based on experience and career goals. The role includes access to institutional and external professional development opportunities, including grant writing support, career development programming, and engagement with research networks.

Job Description:

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Clinical Research Implementation & Participant Engagement

• Contribute to implementation and advancement of ongoing stroke recovery clinical trials, including participant screening, enrollment, study execution, and hands-on exposure to high-quality trial infrastructure such as adverse event reporting, cross-site coordination, and protocol standardization.
• Build relationships with participants and caregivers through professional communication, education, and ongoing engagement.
• Assist in intervention delivery and protocol execution, consistent with licensure, training, and study requirements.

Outcome Assessment

• Conduct standardized clinical and functional outcome assessments.
• Monitor participant safety and physiological responses during testing and intervention sessions.
• Ensure high protocol fidelity, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance across active studies, including HIT Stroke and vagal nerve stimulator-related initiatives.

Scholarship and Career Development

• Lead publishable analyses from the Fitness After Stroke (FAST) clinical trial examining exercise intensity, walking recovery, cardiorespiratory fitness, and brain health outcomes.
• Contribute to abstracts, conference presentations nationally, and manuscript development, with strong opportunities for first-author productivity.
• Lead components of data analysis and writing based on prior experience and career goals.
• Engage in regular research discussions, lab meetings, and collaborative scientific projects.
• Work closely with investigators, clinicians, and trainees in a highly collaborative, team-based environment.
• Build an individualized pathway toward external funding, career development awards, and research independence.

Work Environment

• Physically support and transfer an individual in a wheelchair to/from exercise device or chair with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Move blocks from side to side in a repetitive fashion with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Move 25 lbs with or without reasonable accommodation.

Required Qualifications

Education: DPT or DPT-PhD

Certifications/Licenses:

• Current state licensure or eligibility for state licensure as a Physical Therapist.
• Certified Basic Life Support or completion in first 90 days of employment required.

Work Experience:

• Experience with medical terminology.
• Experience with adhering to research protocols.
• Experience with technical equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• PhD in rehabilitation science, engineering, exercise physiology, or similar field
• PhD candidates should possess proficiency in fundamental research methodologies, with a strong preference for those who have published work or a publishable dissertation.

Work Experience:

• One (1) year of experience as a physical therapist in stroke or neurorehabilitation
• An expressed interest in pursuing a career in rehabilitation, particularly an academic or research career as demonstrated by application materials.

Skills

• Time management
• Communication
• Attention to detail

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Pay Range: $63,480.00 - $90,000.00