RESEARCH FELLOW

How to Apply

To be considered, please submit a 1-page cover letter concisely outlining your research interests, experience, and expertise in addition to your specific interest in this position. 

Attach a full CV. 

Job Summary

The Michigan Medicine Department of Orthopaedic Surgery provides outstanding, state-of-the-art, evidence-based care for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. As well, our faculty, staff, and trainees conduct a diverse range of musculoskeletal research and scholarship. The department?s research program is integral to its mission and vision of leading advances in musculoskeletal health, through excellence and innovative care, scientific discovery, and dedicated teaching. 

Research in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is conducted by a diverse group of faculty, staff and trainees with expertise in biology, engineering, epidemiology, health outcomes and healthcare. The collaborative research programs are focused on improving treatment or preventing musculoskeletal disorders and disease. The research enterprise is funded by a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, the NIH, DoD, NSF, industry, and professional societies. The collective Orthoapedic research group, together with local and external collaborators and research partners, emphasize trainee mentoring and career development. A rich overall training environment facilitates the advancement of learners from all levels, offering a wide variety of technical and conceptual expertise alongside mentoring from faculty and senior trainees with diverse backgrounds. Primary basic science research operations are located at the Biomedical Science Research Building, with additional clinical research sites. Currently there are extensive shared core resources and a team of core research staff.

This position offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary research team as a postdoctoral fellow to conduct innovative science, establish independence, and obtain close mentorship and training in the various aspects of conducting and directing basic science laboratory research. The work will involve contributions to a musculoskeletal trauma and disease-oriented research program, specifically focused on the pathomechanisms of arthritis. 

We are looking for an ambitious, talented, and self-motivated individual with an interest in both mechanistic and therapeutic studies and with long-term goals of establish their own independent research program. 

Responsibilities*

• Plan, coordinate, execute, and disseminate innovative basic-science research focused on musculoskeletal disease, trauma, and regeneration. 
• Conduct experiments as part of already-funded grants and generate preliminary data for new grant applications. 
• Assist in writing grant proposals, in collaboration with the laboratory director and other senior group members, to obtain funding from federal, private, and university sources.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with our multi-disciplinary team of scientists, trainees, and clinicians.
• Exhibit the ability to manage multiple projects and assignments with a high degree of autonomy
• Supervise undergraduate and graduate students in the execution of assigned studies and duties. Develop close mentoring relationships to continue to promote the rich learning environment already in place in our group.
• If applicable, write technical patent applications explaining our unique innovations to a diverse audience
• Write manuscripts to summarize and disseminate research findings.
• Travel to and present at regional, national, and international scientific conferences.
• Obtain independent grant funding to facilitate transition to an independent faculty position.

Required Qualifications*

• PhD Degree in Engineering, Biology, Physiology, or a related field. 
• Publication record reflective of either disease mechanism-focused studies or regenerative medicine-, drug delivery-focused studies, including 1st-author contributions. 
• 5+ years of research experience in applicable research field
• Proficiency using data science and analytical tools (Matlab, R, Phython, SPSS, Excel, etc)
• Willingness to learn and quickly adjust to new tools and systems
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Confident teaching and mentoring abilities

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience with novel sustained-release drug-delivery systems
• Experience with animal models in regenerative medicine
• Experience with grant writing

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.