Postdoctoral Research Associate at Northeastern University – Boston, MA (Main Campus), United States

Summary

Northeastern University is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate for its Movement Neuroscience Lab in Boston, MA. The role provides scientific and operational leadership for two ongoing clinical trials investigating neuromodulation for pain and muscle function in orthopedic conditions, such as knee osteoarthritis and ACL injuries. Responsibilities include coordinating trial conduct, managing recruitment and regulatory compliance, collecting and analyzing neurophysiologic and biomechanical data, and drafting manuscripts and grant applications. Applicants must hold a PhD in rehabilitation science, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, kinesiology, human movement science, or a related field, alongside prior research experience with human participants and first-author publications. The university offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health coverage and tuition assistance. No application deadline is specified.

Key Facts

Department	Movement Neuroscience Lab
Position Type	Postdoctoral Research Associate
Discipline	Rehabilitation Science / Neuroscience / Biomedical Engineering / Kinesiology
Research Area	Neuromodulation for pain and muscle function in orthopedic conditions
Degree Required	PhD in rehabilitation science, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, kinesiology, human movement science, or a closely related field
Experience	Prior research experience involving human participants and a record of first-author peer-reviewed publication
Employer Address	Boston, MA (Main Campus)

About the Project

The Movement Neuroscience Lab studies arthrogenic muscle inhibition, treating pain and muscle weakness as co-occurring features that share nervous system pathways in populations including knee osteoarthritis, ACL injury and reconstruction, patellofemoral pain, and knee replacement. The current projects involve two clinical trials examining pain pathways and neuromodulation, specifically focusing on the personalization and optimization of neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day scientific and operational conduct of two clinical trials examining pain pathways and neuromodulation.
• Manage recruitment, screening, enrollment, retention, and protocol fidelity.
• Coordinate scheduling and study visits with clinical collaborators and lab personnel.
• Collect, process, and analyze neurophysiologic and biomechanical data.
• Develop and maintain analysis pipelines and ensure data quality across sessions.
• Prepare manuscripts, conference abstracts, and grant applications as first author and contributing author.
• Develop an independent line of research within the lab's scope and pursue independent funding.
• Maintain regulatory compliance and data integrity, including IRB submissions and database management.
• Contribute to development and testing of the neuromuscular electrical stimulation platform.
• Train and mentor doctoral and undergraduate students in data collection and analysis.

Required Skills

• Knowledge of human neurophysiology, motor control, clinical trial methodology, and human subjects research regulation.
• Ability to independently plan and execute data collection with human participants and manage regulatory documentation.
• Ability to analyze quantitative physiologic data and communicate findings in peer-reviewed publications.
• Ability to work collaboratively across clinical and engineering teams.

Who Should Apply

Researchers holding a PhD in rehabilitation science, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, kinesiology, human movement science, or a related field who have experience with human participant research and a record of first-author publications. Candidates with clinical licensure (e.g., PT/DPT, MD) or experience in non-invasive brain stimulation, clinical trial coordination, or pain neuroscience are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness and life benefits
• Retirement plans
• Commuting and transportation benefits

About the Employer

Northeastern University is a higher education institution that considers work experience, education, and skills when offering employment, providing benefits to eligible employees and committing to equal opportunity employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is this position located?

The position is located at Northeastern University's Main Campus in Boston, MA.

What degree is required for this position?

A PhD in rehabilitation science, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, kinesiology, human movement science, or a closely related field is required.

What specific data collection techniques are used in this role?

Data collection includes transcranial magnetic stimulation, EMG, quantitative sensory testing, and isokinetic dynamometry.

What benefits does Northeastern University offer for this role?

Benefits include medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness and life, retirement, and commuting/transportation options.