Job Opportunities


Post-doctoral fellowship in cognitive-motor neuroscience and translational neurorehabilitation

The Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute (MRRI) seeks a post-doctoral research fellow to join exciting projects investigating the cognitive-sensorimotor interface, including an NIH-funded study of the cognitive, neuroanatomic, and sensorimotor factors underlying arm nonuse in stroke. This is an exciting opportunity to make substantial contributions to a multi-disciplinary research program led by Drs. Laurel Buxbaum and Shailesh Kantak. The research involves innovative behavioral experiments using virtual reality, detailed clinical/behavioral phenotyping, and state-of-the-art structural and resting-state functional imaging.

We welcome applications from individuals with a doctorate in experimental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, movement science, and kinesiology who are interested in advancing basic and translational science at the cognitive-motor interface in neurotypical and stroke survivors. Applicants must have a track record in research, clear comprehension of research methods and experimental design, experience in statistics, and skill/experience in programming in R, python and/or MATLAB. Duties and responsibilities involve coordinating and supervising research assistants for data collection, entry and processing; conducting statistical analyses, interpreting findings and contributing to presentations and publications for dissemination. Candidates with a keen interest in developing an independent research career will be given preference.

Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, a part of Thomas Jefferson University, is a supportive, stimulating academic environment offering many training opportunities, including close collaboration with colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania, and is located near the vibrant city of Philadelphia. The fellow will also benefit from structured didactic and interactive educational sessions that are a part of an NIH T32 training program at MRRI. We offer competitive compensation, an attractive benefits plan including medical/dental/vision coverage, generous vacation time, and tuition reimbursement. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer; we are committed to ensuring a range of diversity among our training classes, and we strive to select candidates representing different kinds of programs and theoretical orientations, geographic areas, ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and sexual orientations, disabilities, and life experiences.

To apply, please email a cover letter detailing experience with the above, specific interest in our work, CV including details of any technical, programming, statistical skills, and publications, and 2-3 professional references to Brandon Knight (Email: brandon.knight@jefferson.edu) with the header “Post-doctoral research Fellow at MRRI”.

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Institute Scientist (Traumatic Brain Injury)

The Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute (MRRI), part of MossRehab and the Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, seeks a scientist to develop and direct a line of research that aligns with the Institute’s focus on human translational neuroscience and neurorehabilitation and complements existing programs. The successful applicant will have a tenure track faculty appointment at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, in the department of Rehabilitation Medicine. This opening represents an outstanding opportunity to work with leading researchers in a well-established but growing and vibrant environment. The successful candidate will benefit from MRRI’s history of strong research and clinical integration, as well as opportunities for collaboration with other research laboratories studying cognition, emotion, language, and motor control in persons with TBI and other populations. Neuroimaging capabilities are available via longstanding productive collaborations with faculty at The University of Pennsylvania.

The ideal candidate will have formal research training (PhD), a demonstrated track record of research productivity, and show evidence of ability to independently lead a research program. Preference will be given to applicants at mid-career level with a track-record of funded research and practice in the area of traumatic brain injury. Consideration will be given to other relevant medical specialties and research MDs with a substantial track record, and highly productive early-career scientists who otherwise demonstrate suitability.

MRRI and MossRehab have been designated by the federal government as a TBI Model System (TBIMS) since 1997. A Model System is a center of excellence for both treatment and research related to a particular disability. Funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), the Moss TBIMS provides state-of-the-art, research and potentially lifelong treatments for persons with TBI and their families in the Philadelphia region. As part of the TBIMS, Moss Investigators collaborate with a national network of leading TBI researchers and have access to the world’s largest longitudinal database of individuals with moderate to severe TBI. Additionally, the Moss TBIMS local database includes over 1,390 well-characterized research participants who have agreed to be contacted for future studies. MRRI maintains a separate research registry, which currently includes over 2,000 individuals aged 18-89 with stroke, TBI, and Parkinson’s Disease or Parkinson-like symptoms, as well as individuals who do not have a neurological condition.

Moss Rehab and MRRI are part of Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, one of the largest health systems in Philadelphia. Institute Scientists have academic appointments at Thomas Jefferson University, and access to a broad research infrastructure, including biostatistics, scientific writing, and established programs in basic and clinical neurosciences. Thomas Jefferson University is proud to offer our employees unparalleled career opportunities including competitive compensation, attractive benefits plan including medical/dental/vision coverage, generous vacation time, pension, and malpractice insurance. EOE; MRRI values diversity and encourages applications from under-represented groups.


Interested candidates should submit a cover letter detailing research interests and future directions, CV, and 3 letters of reference to:


Kevin Whelihan, Administrator
Email: Kevin.Whelihan@jefferson.edu
Mail: Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute
50 Township Line Road Elkins Park, PA 19027
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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Speech-language Pathologist (Part-time)

The Language and Learning Lab (Director: Erica Middleton, PhD) and Speech and Language Recovery Lab (Director: Marja-Liisa Mailend, PhD) of Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute (https://mrri.org/) announce a new opening for a half-time speech-language pathologist supporting research on speech and language production in people who have experienced stroke as well as neurologically intact adults.

The position is available immediately and will continue for a minimum of 2 years, although the position is likely to continue indefinitely contingent on funding availability.

Research in the Language and Learning Lab focuses on adult aphasia from stroke, with emphasis on the diagnosis and treatment of lexical processing deficits such as anomia and word comprehension disorders.

Research in the Speech and Language Recovery Lab is focused on the underlying cognitive mechanism of speech and language impairments following a stroke. The primary goal is to advance differential diagnosis and individualized treatments for effective speech and language rehabilitation.

The Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute is situated adjacent to, and closely aligned with MossRehab. This unique setting offers opportunities for enrichment through interactions with scientists and research staff at MRRI and the potential for collaboration with practicing clinicians. The successful candidate will also have opportunities to develop presentation skills and to contribute to scientific manuscripts.

Job Responsibilities (with appropriate training):

  • recruit and consent research participants
  • administer assessments of cognitive and language function to people with aphasia and to neurologically intact individuals
  • provide expert opinion on differential diagnosis of speech and language disorders
  • help design experimental tasks that are appropriate for people with aphasia from a broad range of severity
  • eventually provide training and supervision to research assistants to administer assessments and experiments to people with aphasia
  • transcribe speech and language samples from people with aphasia using the International Phonetic Alphabet
  • learn and apply specialized coding systems to the above transcripts
  • manage and organize data sets using excel
  • consult on how to enhance the impact of our research projects in the clinic
  • participate in other aspects of research and lab operation as warranted

This position is designed to afford reasonable flexibility with scheduling of work hours.

Requirements:

  • Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology
  • Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Preferences:

  • 2 years of clinical experience with adult or child speech and language disorders
  • prior research experience in language disorders would be beneficial, but not required

Other qualifications:

  • strong communication skills
  • excellent organizational ability
  • willingness and flexibility to learn new techniques in a dynamic environment
  • ability to work independently

MRRI and Moss Rehab are part of the Jefferson Health System, an Equal Opportunity Employer located in the Philadelphia area. The position offers outstanding career opportunities including competitive compensation, attractive benefits plan including medical/dental/vision coverage, generous vacation time, and tuition reimbursement.

Interested applicants may send resume or academic c.v. along with contact information for two professional references to: Adelyn Brecher, MS, CCC-SLP, at adelyn.brecher@jefferson.edu. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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Research Assistant: Cognition and Action Laboratory

The Cognition and Action Lab at Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute (MRRI) of Thomas Jefferson University, directed by Dr. Laurel Buxbaum, has an opening beginning summer/fall 2022 for a full-time Research Assistant.

The position involves assisting on an NIH-funded study of arm use in stroke populations as relates to attention and motivation using behavioral experiments and state-of-the art functional and structural neuroimaging.

Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute is a supportive, stimulating academic environment offering many training opportunities, including close collaboration with colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania, and is located near the vibrant city of Philadelphia. We offer competitive compensation, an attractive benefits plan including medical/dental/vision coverage, generous vacation time, and tuition reimbursement. See our laboratory website at https://www.mrri.org/focus-areas/cognition-and-action-laboratory.

Applicants must have a strong academic background (BA/BS or MA/MS) in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, or a related field, coursework and experience in statistics and research methods, excellent organizational, analytic, and interpersonal skills, and experience/facility in programming in EPrime, R, or Matlab. Prior human behavioral research lab experience is essential. Applicants able to commit to the position for 2 years will be given strong priority.

To apply, please email a cover letter detailing experience with the above, specific interest in our work, CV including details of any technical, programming, and statistical skills, and the contact information for 2-3 professional references to Mr. Rand Williamson (Rand.Williamson@jefferson.edu) with the header “Research Assistant Cognition and Action Lab”. 

Thomas Jefferson University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage applications from members of under-represented minorities in neuroscience.

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Research Assistant (per diem, part-time): Animal-Assisted Therapy Study

Sharon M. Antonucci, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is currently accepting applicants for a position as a per diem research
assistant on an NIH-funded study of animal-assisted treatment for people with aphasia. As part of the
study, individuals with aphasia, an acquired language impairment most commonly occurring after
stroke, are trained in positive reinforcement techniques to teach dogs basic obedience skills. This
position is based at the Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute in Elkins Park, PA, and requires travel
to other locations.

With appropriate training and supervision, the successful candidate will:

  • Read, understand, and assist in implementing dog training protocols
  • Recruit and schedule participants according to experimental protocols
  • Collect data (including video recording and paper documentation) and provide other logistical assistance during dog training sessions
  • Track and manage data collection and subject participant information via electronic and paper-based filing systems as specified by the Internal Review Board.
  • Assist in conducting literature reviews, compiling references, writing manuscripts, and creating posters

Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree is required for this position. Applicants should have a strong academic
background or relevant experience in cognitive psychology/cognitive science, speech & hearing
science, and/or positive reinforcement/force-free dog training. Preference will be given to applicants
with prior experience in relevant areas, including human subjects’ research and interacting with dogs.
Applicants able to commit to the position for two years will be given strong priority. Other
qualifications include:

  • Evidence of excellent organizational and communication skills
  • Demonstration of willingness and ability to flexibly learn new techniques in a dynamic environment

MRRI and MossRehab are part of the Einstein Healthcare Network, an Equal Opportunity Employer
located in the Philadelphia area.

Send to Sharon M. Antonucci at antonucs@einstein.edu.

 

  • Cover letter including a description of prior relevant experience
  • Resume/CV
  • At least two letters of reference (including details of performance in prior research roles, if applicable)

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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Student Volunteers

On occasion, one or more of the Labs at MRRI accepts graduate or undergraduate students to assist with Lab activities for a limited period of time, typically during the summer. These are unpaid positions and may be full- or part-time. Send an email to the Director of the Lab(s) that interest you to inquire about availability of volunteer positions. 

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Equal Opportunity Employer

As an employer, Jefferson maintains a commitment to provide equal access to employment. Jefferson values diversity and encourages applications from women, members of minority groups, LGBTQ individuals, disabled individuals, and veterans.

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