UNIV - Assistant Professor in Brain Health, Neuroimaging, and Neurorehabilitation Research
Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), College of Health Professions, Department of Health Sciences & Research seeks an early-stage investigator for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position focused on brain health in aging and neurodegeneration.
About the Role
The ideal candidate will develop an externally funded research program in one or more areas such as neuroimaging, neuromodulation, neurodegeneration biomarkers, cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology, aging, rehabilitation, or related fields. The position offers opportunities to collaborate across MUSC’s College of Health Professions, College of Medicine, and broader research enterprise, including two NIH-funded centers: the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence for Restoration of Neural-Based Function and Neuro-PRECISE: Center for Advancing Precision Neural Circuit-Based Rehabilitation.
In Fall 2026, the College of Health Professions will open the Center for the Restoration of Neural-Based Function in the Real World (RENEW Center), a 15,000-square-foot state-of-the-art research facility funded through a $7.9 million NIH construction grant, providing extensive resources for human neuroscience, neuroimaging, neuromodulation, and translational rehabilitation research.
Primary academic appointment will be in the Department of Health Sciences & Research, with potential secondary appointments in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences or other MUSC departments, as well as a possible joint VA research appointment.
Research Focus Areas
- Neuroimaging methods (diffusion MRI, fMRI, PET, EEG, MEG, MRS, multimodal imaging approaches)
- Neuromodulation and brain stimulation (TMS, tDCS, VNS, focused ultrasound, closed-loop stimulation approaches)
- Neurodegeneration biomarkers, including blood-based and fluid biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders
- Cognitive aging and dementia
- Neural mechanisms of recovery, neuroplasticity, and rehabilitation
- Precision approaches to brain health and neurological disease
- Machine learning, advanced analytics, and computational neuroscience
- Brain network and connectome analyses
- Cognitive and physical rehabilitation across neurological conditions
Collaborative Opportunities
- Center for Rehabilitation Research in Neurological Conditions
- Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Stroke Recovery (NIH funded)
- The Center for Healthy Aging
- Center for Health Data Innovation & Impact
- MUSC Institute for Neuroscience Discovery (MIND)
- South Carolina Alzheimer’s Network (SCAN) – based at MUSC
Requirements
- PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical engineering, rehabilitation science, neurology, psychiatry, or a related field
- Postdoctoral or equivalent research training
- Demonstrated expertise in neuroimaging, neuromodulation, and/or neurodegeneration biomarkers
- Strong publication record commensurate with career stage
- Evidence of current or prior extramural funding, or strong potential for securing federal research support
- Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, and scientific excellence
Physical Requirements
- Ability to perform job functions in an upright, seated, or walking/mobile position (frequent)
- Ability to work indoors (continuous) and outdoors in all weather and temperature extremes (infrequent)
- Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces, kneel, squat, or perform pinching operations (infrequent)
- Ability to fully use both hands/arms, perform repetitive motions, and reach in all directions (frequent)
- Good finger dexterity and tactile sensory functions (continuous)
- Ability to lift and carry up to 15 lbs., unassisted (infrequent)
- Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one or both eyes, with good peripheral vision and depth perception (continuous)
- Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction (continuous)
- Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements (frequent)