"Research Specialist- Orthopedic Surgery"

About the Job

Position Title: Clinical Research Fellow
Positions: 1
Duration: 1 year (potential to extend)
Who: US medical students between M2/M3 or M3/M4 interested in Orthopedic Surgery. Unmatched medical students and students applying to medical school may also be considered.
Where: University of Minnesota, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Division of Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery, Minneapolis, MN.
When: July 2025-June 2027 (duration 1 year, potential to extend)
Salary: A biweekly stipend is provided

Dr. Allison Rao invites interested and motivated individuals to apply for a clinical research fellowship at the University of Minnesota. Our team provides the unique opportunity to work with leaders in orthopedic sports medicine and shoulder surgery, who are seeking forward-thinking, self-driven students to explore their interests in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine by working in a fast-paced clinical research environment and biomechanics lab determined to produce high quality, novel research.

Current Areas of Active Research

• Injections about the Shoulder
• Patient reported and clinical outcomes
• Database studies: Health claims, national registry databases, professional athletic associations
• Procedure-specific outcomes and associations
• Biomechanics studies pertaining to the shoulder

Benefits of the Position:

• Expectation to publish 6-10 publications/chapters/abstracts at conclusion of research year
• Increasing competitiveness for a position in an orthopedic surgery residency
• Collaboration with sports medicine fellows, residents, and other sports attendings
• Ample opportunities to attend grand rounds, sports conferences, and cadaver labs
• Opportunities to present research at orthopedic conferences

Application Instructions:

• Interested candidates should send a cover letter detailing current level of training, motivation for pursuing a research year, and future career goals.
• A complete application should also include:
  • A curriculum vitae,
  • USMLE step I and/or II scores, and
  • Expected starting date.
  • Reference(s) or letters of recommendation from any research or orthopedic experiences are preferred (1-2), but not required.

After review of application materials, select individuals will be invited for phone interviews with the current research team followed by interviews with Dr. Rao.

Please send all materials to rao00149@umn.edu.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
This position is designed for a medical school student or recent graduate in good academic standing, with an interest in pursuing an orthopedic specialty or a career in academic medicine and clinical research, with a particular interest in sports medicine. This position will participate in a gap-year program facilitated by their training institution (MD or DO). Applicants must meet eligibility criteria for their institution’s program. In addition, candidates should have a motivation for a career in orthopedic surgery, with proven research interest, a strong academic record and work ethic, and organized, detail-oriented, and proactive.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Some experience with orthopedic care concepts is preferred, along with prior experience in biomechanical research, prospective trials including randomized clinical trials, and database research. In addition, some experience with data analysis and statistical software (SPSS, STATA, etc.) is preferred.
• The preferred candidate would have skills and experience in scientific writing, the ability to support the development and execution of clinical and/or biomechanical study protocols, and an understanding of statistical analysis and the publication of scientific research results.

About the Department
To learn more about the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, please visit: med.umn.edu/ortho.

Pay and Benefits
Pay Range: $44,000 annually ; depending on education/qualifications/experience
Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost