Research Associate

We are seeking a highly motivated and organized Research Associate (Researcher 1) for our interdisciplinary research project studying aging, balance control, and brain neural and vascular health that is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. This project aims to understand the links between vascular brain function during aerobic exercise, neural brain function, and the neuromechanical control of balance reactions in older adults and adults across the lifespan. Motivated candidates will have prior work and/or research experience in a biomechanics laboratory. Ideal candidates will possess a working knowledge base and prior coursework in neuroscience, exercise physiology, and biomechanics.

This Researcher will play a vital role in conducting biomechanical and neurophysiologic human subjects' assessments involving young, middle-aged, and older adults. They will be responsible for executing duties to keep the lab running efficiently. They will also be responsible for basic research coordination of participant study visits.

This is a one-year appointment, with the possibility of being continued for a second year based on performance.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

60%: Conduct balance biomechanics, EEG, and transcranial ultrasound experiments. Experiments involve balance and gait testing using cutting-edge biomechanical equipment, brain activity recordings using EEG, brain blood flow velocity recordings during exercise using transcranial Doppler ultrasound.

30%: Study coordination of participant visits. Includes communicating and screening future participants via email, phone, and Redcap screening forms and organized documentation of participant correspondence and medical release forms. Organizing and maintaining the lab calendar and weekly announcements.

5%: Routine laboratory maintenance: Ongoing work in the lab requires a ready supply of electrodes, gels, tape, laundry, and various lab materials; assist in maintaining these supplies and general lab upkeep for a functional and efficient lab; help to train undergraduate students in select hands-on skills to assist with laboratory data collection and analysis.

5%: Archive data, perform basic analytic procedures involving biomechanical, EEG, and ultrasound data with guidance and pre-written analysis scripts (MatLab and R studio).

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

Required Qualifications:

• B.S. or B.A. in mechanical or biomedical engineering, kinesiology, biological sciences, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least 4 years.
• Experience in a biomechanics laboratory conducting hands-on research and data analysis, gained through research or direct work.
• Proficient in Microsoft office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Strong organizational skills, clear communication skill, dependable team-oriented worker.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Vicon Nexus motion analysis software, MATLAB, R studio, EEG/EMG data acquisition are a strong advantage.

The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota was created more than 50 years ago in response to a legislative mandate to train primary care physicians. Since then, we have been leaders in transforming the specialty through education, research, and patient care. We are the academic sponsor of seven family medicine residencies-five in the Twin Cities, two in Greater Minnesota. We are involved in medical student education activities across the Medical School's two campuses: Twin Cities and Duluth. We sponsor five fellowship programs-sports medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, behavioral medicine, clinical informatics, and human sexuality- and offer continuing medical education opportunities. We are regularly among the top National Institutes of Health-funded family medicine departments. Our faculty are actively researching health disparities, healthcare delivery, and population health. More at https://med.umn.edu/familymedicine.

The Division of Physical Therapy creates and integrates innovative research discoveries, education, and practice to develop scholarly, collaborative physical therapists and rehabilitation scientists who advance health care and disease prevention for diverse communities in Minnesota and beyond. More information may be found at https://med.umn.edu/fmch/physical-therapy.

Pay Range: $23.84 to $25.27 per hour; and we anticipate most offers will be around the midpoint of this range, depending on education and experience.

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Voluntary Disability
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).