Research Scientist I School of Medicine I Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Scientist to support ongoing and future research studies investigating mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and human movement biomechanics. This position will play a critical role in 1) supporting an extramural funded project focused on optimizing mTBI diagnostics and 2) facilitating research operations within a multidisciplinary team focused on neuromechanics sensorimotor performance and overall biomechanical function.

The Research Scientist will assist with all phases of study implementation including participant recruitment and scheduling support overseeing study site progress administering assessments and processing and managing data collected from mTBI assessments (e.g. neurocognitive testing) and biomechanical systems (e.g. motion capture instrumented treadmills metabolic carts). Responsibilities also include coordinating IRB submissions and amendments overseeing study documentation monitoring data quality and integrity and preparing progress reports and summary findings for internal and external stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have experience with human subjects research mild traumatic brain injury research human movement biomechanic laboratory systems and equipment strong organizational skills and an interest in clinical neuroscience rehabilitation science kinesiology biomedical engineering or related fields. While this position does not involve direct work in a clinical or hospital setting it requires familiarity with ethical research practices human subjects protections strong interpersonal skills and biomechanical data collection protocols. The Research Scientist will work under the general supervision of the Principal Investigator and help oversee collaborate and integrate with faculty staff and trainees in a research-intensive environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

Doctoral degree in relevant field such as rehabilitation science kinesiology neuroscience psychology biomedical engineering or a related discipline.

Experience working with human subjects in mild traumatic brain injury or human movement biomechanics research.

Demonstratedability to work in and foster an environment of respect professionalism andcivility with a population of faculty staff and students from all backgroundsand experiences or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in grant support for their own or others extramurally funded projects (e.g. NIH DoD VA).

Proficiency with mild traumatic brain injury assessments (e.g. neurocognitive testing symptom reporting postural stability etc) and/or biomechanical assessment tools (e.g. motion capture force plates).

Familiarity with data management processing wrangling and analysis through software such as REDCap RStudio MATLAB or others.

Strong interpersonal skills and experience working directly with human subject participants.

This is a restricted position with no set end date; continued employment is dependent upon project needs availability of funds and performance.

The position will remain open until filled

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veterans period(s) of military service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

Please note that if you are employed as a university employee working in any of the health systems facilities you will need to follow VCU Health System policies which will include but will not be limited to vaccination requirements.

VCU is transitioning to a new application system beginning in October 2025. If you apply before that date you may be asked to resubmit your application in the new system after the system is live. Clear instructions will be provided at that time. We appreciate your understanding during this transition and look forward to reviewing your application.

Nickie Thomas