Job Summary

We are seeking a self-motivated, diligent, and well-organized candidate with a PhD in Rehabilitation Science, Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, Biological Science, or other closely related fields to join our CDMRP Department of Defense Spinal Cord Injury Research Program funded project “Improving Cardiometabolic Health in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury Using Home-Based Interactive Virtual Gaming”. The postdoctoral fellow will help coordinate grant activities of a large-scale clinical translational trial examining the preliminary clinical efficacy, platform safety, feasibility and acceptability of a 12 week home-based virtual reality (VR) fitness program to improve aerobic capacity and cardiometabolic risk factors among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The postdoctoral fellow will assist with recruitment, development of aerobic capacity testing protocols (VO2max) and assessment of cardiometabolic risk factors (blood glucose, lipid profiles, central adiposity) in individuals with SCI, deployment of the VR fitness intervention, and data analysis. The postdoctoral fellow will also actively work with our team and lived experience consultants to disseminate the study findings. Applicants should have a keen interest in developing skills in designing and coordinating clinical trials, grant writing and applying these skills to advance the lab’s research activities as well as progress towards a career as an independent researcher.

Research Program

Physical/physiological changes following SCI and barriers to physical activity place those with SCI at increased risk for chronic diseases exacerbated by physical inactivity and deconditioning. Physical activity, and exercise as a subset, can ameliorate these risks; however, individuals with SCI rank among the lowest on the physical activity and physical fitness spectrums. An urgent need therefore exists to address traditional barriers to exercise and facilitate meaningful exercise experiences for individuals with SCI. Although the potential utility of home-based VR gaming in SCI has been acknowledged, there has yet to be a platform informed specifically by the needs and interests of individuals with SCI. Further, while laboratory-based studies have supported the exercise potency for VR gaming in SCI, a home-based platform has yet to be developed. The current project seeks to address these major gaps in the field by refining and testing an interactive, immersive VR exercise platform (VR-Move) informed by the physical needs, preferences, and expertise of end users (i.e., Lived Experience Consultants - individuals with SCI and SCI specific experts, who can address crucial barriers to SCI exercise engagement, and who can implement VR interventions within individuals’ homes as a resource for promoting physical activity.

Essential Functions

• Performance of aerobic capacity testing protocols.
• Assessment of cardiometabolic risk factors (blood glucose, lipid profiles, central adiposity).
• Assist with training of research personnel.
• Supervise research assistants.
• Provide support and mentorship of undergraduate and graduate research students associated with the research group.
• Assist with supervision of research protocol implementation.
• Engage in appropriate training and professional development opportunities, as required.
• Assist with securely storing and managing data.
• Assist with the scheduling, preparation, and documentation of research team meetings.
• Carry out administrative and management work associated with the program of research.
• Contribute to the preparation of the final report and manuscripts and presentation of project findings to internal and external parties.
• Perform basic statistical analyses including preparing data for analysis, and screening and cleaning data before analysis.
• Assist with data analysis.
• Communicate findings, data interpretation and reports to the research team and relevant members of multidisciplinary teams.
• Assist with grant writing.
• Search pertinent scientific literature as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• PhD or Doctorate in Rehabilitation Science, Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, Biological Science, or other closely related field
  • Please review the  Equivalency Chart for additional information.
• 0-2 years of relevant experience
• Basic skills in quantitative statistical data analyses.
• Experience with recruitment and consenting study participants.
• Outstanding personal initiative and communication skills (oral and written English).

Preferred Qualifications

• Exercise Physiology and/or Clinical Exercise Physiology research experience
• Experience measuring and analyzing cardiorespiratory, metabolic and/or vascular responses during exercise in healthy and/or clinical populations
• Technical knowledge/Experience:
  • Comfortable working with the following computer software: Word, Excel, SPSS, and RedCap.
• Problem solving and analysis:
  • Identifies areas of improvement and recommends solutions to improve study implementation quality; makes appropriate decisions related to established research protocols; and demonstrates ability to pay close attention to detail in completing research coordination tasks.
• Communication skills
  • Presents information effectively and clearly both in oral and written forms of communication; communicates effectively with research team members and site staff.
•  Interpersonal skills:
  • Collaborates with diverse people in a respectful manner; works collaboratively with research team members and staff; functions independently and in accordance with established protocols; and always projects a positive attitude.
• Teamwork
  • Establishes and maintains beneficial working relationships with peers, colleagues and communicates with research team members.

Physical Requirements

• Typically sitting at a desk/table

Location

• University City – Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information

This position is classified as exempt, grade I. Compensation for this grade ranges from $41,120 - $61,680. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review. 

We encourage you to explore Drexel's Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on our compensation framework.

You can also find valuable information about our benefits in the Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

Additional Required Documents

• Personal Statement (2-3 pages double spaced that includes career objectives/research goals, specific research interest, knowledge/skills specific to this position
• Curriculum Vitae
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official transcript from PhD program

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.