Post Doctoral Fellow - Neurology (Stroke Recovery)

University of Kansas Medical Center • Kansas City, MO

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Stroke Recovery Research Fellow will contribute to and lead translational research in stroke recovery within the Department of Neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead and publish analyses from the Fitness After Stroke (FAST) clinical trial examining the effects of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on a recumbent stepper (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05936008). Data are available to explore in-depth analyses of cardiorespiratory fitness, brain health, and walking outcomes. The fellow will work within a research environment with access to rich datasets, structured mentorship, and active projects including the HIT Stroke trial. The fellow will also be integrated into a successful stroke team that leads the region in vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) for stroke recovery and serves as a top site for the VNS-paired GRASP longitudinal study. The environment is intentionally structured to support that progression by combining access to high-quality data, strong mentorship, and meaningful leadership roles on ongoing projects. The fellow will be expected to contribute to team-based science and scholarly output, while progressively developing their own research questions and portfolio, with the level of independence tailored to prior experience and career goals. The position also provides access to a range of professional development opportunities at both the institutional and national level, including grant writing support, career development programming, and engagement with leading research networks.

Requirements

• MD, DO, PhD, or equivalent.
• This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position.
• Current state licensure or eligibility for state licensure as a Physical Therapist.
• Certified Basic Life Support or completion in first 90 days of employment required.
• Experience with medical terminology.
• Experience with adhering to research protocols.
• Experience with technical equipment.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in rehabilitation science, engineering, exercise physiology, or similar field
• PhD candidates should possess proficiency in fundamental research methodologies, with a strong preference for those who have published work or a publishable dissertation.
• One (1) year of experience as a physical therapist in stroke or neurorehabilitation
• An expressed interest in pursuing a career in rehabilitation, particularly an academic or research career as demonstrated by application materials.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to implementation and advancement of ongoing stroke recovery clinical trials, including participant screening, enrollment, study execution, and hands-on exposure to high-quality trial infrastructure such as adverse event reporting, cross-site coordination, and protocol standardization.
• Build relationships with participants and caregivers through professional communication, education, and ongoing engagement.
• Assist in intervention delivery and protocol execution, consistent with licensure, training, and study requirements.
• Conduct standardized clinical and functional outcome assessments.
• Monitor participant safety and physiological responses during testing and intervention sessions.
• Ensure high protocol fidelity, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance across active studies, including HIT Stroke and vagal nerve stimulator-related initiatives.
• Lead publishable analyses from the Fitness After Stroke (FAST) clinical trial examining exercise intensity, walking recovery, cardiorespiratory fitness, and brain health outcomes.
• Contribute to abstracts, conference presentations nationally, and manuscript development, with strong opportunities for first-author productivity.
• Lead components of data analysis and writing based on prior experience and career goals.
• Engage in regular research discussions, lab meetings, and collaborative scientific projects.
• Work closely with investigators, clinicians, and trainees in a highly collaborative, team-based environment.
• Build an individualized pathway toward external funding, career development awards, and research independence.

Benefits

• Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance
• Includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan.
• Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available.
• Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays.
• One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment.
• A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees