UNIV - Postdoctoral Scholar - Department of Neurology

About the role

The Department of Neurology at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is seeking a highly motivated and talented Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a dynamic human neuroscience research lab focused on Parkinson's disease (PD).

Responsibilities

• Lead the analysis and writing of manuscripts for peer-review scientific journals (30%).
• Acquire and analyze neurocognitive data and multimodal MRI neuroimaging data (e.g., fMRI, DTI) (20%).
• Prepare and manage Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications and ensure compliance with all human subject’s research regulations (15%).
• Contribute to the preparation of grant applications (15%).
• Implement and conduct non-invasive and invasive brain stimulation protocols (TMS, DBS) (10%).
• Prepare research and present at scientific meetings (5%).
• Assist in mentoring junior lab members, including graduate and undergraduate students (5%).

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
• A strong research background with a track record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team.

Preferred

• Demonstrated experience with human neuroimaging analysis software (e.g., FSL, SPM, AFNI, FreeSurfer).
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in neuroscience research (e.g., Python, MATLAB, R, shell scripting).
• Experience preparing and managing IRB protocols for human subjects research.
• Hands-on experience with neurocognitive testing in healthy or clinical populations.
• Prior experience with brain stimulation techniques (TMS, DBS) is highly desirable.
• Experience working with clinical populations, particularly individuals with movement disorders.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform job functions in an upright position (Continuous).
• Ability to perform job functions in a seated position (Continuous).
• Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile (Frequent).
• Ability to climb stairs (Infrequent).
• Ability to work indoors (Continuous).
• Ability to work in all cold temperature extremes, i.e. spot coolers (Frequent).
• Ability to bend at the waist (Frequent).
• Ability to twist at the waist (Frequent).
• Ability to perform 'pinching' operations (Continuous).
• Ability to fully use both hands/arms (Continuous).
• Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders (Continuous).
• Ability to fully use both legs (Continuous).
• Ability to reach in all directions (Continuous).
• Possess good finger dexterity (Continuous).
• Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions (Continuous).
• Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function (Continuous).
• Ability to lift and carry 15 lbs., unassisted (Frequent).
• Ability to lift objects, up to 15 lbs., from floor level to height of 72 inches, unassisted (Frequent).
• Ability to lower objects, up to 15 lbs., from height of 72 inches to floor level, unassisted (Frequent).
• Ability to push/pull objects, up to 15 lbs., unassisted (Infrequent).
• Ability to lift and carry objects up to 15 lbs. a distance of five (5) floors and to outlying buildings (Frequent).
• Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected (Continuous).
• Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand (Continuous).
• Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance (Continuous).
• Ability to match or discriminate between colors (Continuous).
• Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception (Continuous).
• Good peripheral vision capabilities (Continuous).
• Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction (Continuous).
• Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements (Continuous).
• Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use, initially and annually (Frequent).
• Ability to work alone in isolated areas, such as darkrooms (Frequent).

Additional New Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid drivers license.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to work rotating shifts as required.
• Ability to work overtime as required.
• Ability to learn and use new processes, tools and equipment as required.