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Postdoctoral Scholar - Exoskeleton Gait Rehab

Employer
Northern Arizona University
Location
Mechanical Engineering

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Position Type
Postdoc
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

Job Details

Job Title: Postdoctoral Scholar - Exoskeleton Gait Rehab
Location: Mechanical Engineering
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 605804
Workplace Culture

NAU is a community devoted to student success and sustained by an unshakable commitment to our shared mission, vision, and values. We—faculty, staff, and administrators—thrive by combining our efforts and working side by side to further NAU’s culture of excellence.

Core Values One NAU side by side Student Centered | Integrity | Diversity | Service | Discovery | Excellence Northern Arizona University


Special Information

This position is funded for up to five years.

Complete applications will include the following:

  • a letter of interest describing qualifications for the position, AND
  • a one-page statement of research and career interests, AND
  • a curriculum vitae with the names and contact information of three references

Job Description

We are seeking exceptional candidates for an NIH- funded Postdoctoral Scholar position in the area of robot-assisted clinical gait rehabilitation. The successful candidate will help lead the clinical implementation of a lightweight, dual- mode (assistive or resistive) wearable robotic ankle exoskeleton to improve function and mobility in children with cerebral palsy.

The chosen scholar will work in collaboration with the Biomechatronics Lab at Northern Arizona University (NAU), Gait and Motion Analysis at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, and the Ability & Innovation Lab at the University of Washington; the primary research locations will be at NAU in Flagstaff, AZ, and Gillette, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Research opportunities will include a clinical trial implementation, a clinical gait and motional analysis, and developing novel assistive devices, exoskeleton control algorithms, and novel rehabilitation interventions.

Essential Functions

Grant Funding & Management - 10%

  • Collaborates with the PI on external funding proposals.
  • Assists in writing funded project reports.

Research & Publications - 80%

  • Reviews literature and identifies appropriate experimental approaches and areas of research.
  • Designs and performs complex research projects.
  • Reviews literature and identifies appropriate experimental approaches and areas of research.
  • Generates, analyzes, and interprets research data in a manner reflecting a deep understanding of the area of research.
  • Operates and maintains laboratory tools and scientific equipment e.g., microscopes, sequencing machines, reagents.
  • Keeps detailed records of experiments, data, and analyses
  • Assists faculty researchers and other collaborators, or may act independently, in planning and designing research experiments; establishes priorities and recommends schedules, timetables and costs.
  • Presents project results to internal and external parties at regular meetings, seminars, and conferences.
  • Effectively uses available technology to facilitate the success of the project
  • Engages in fieldwork and writing of technical publications and reports including peer-reviewed journal articles

Lab Management and Mentorship - 10%

  • Operates specialized laboratory/scientific tools and equipment.
  • Performs statistical analyses, including selecting the appropriate analysis procedure, setting up data for analysis, judging validity and reliability of data, designing, and writing programs to perform analyses, and producing written reports on the result of the analyses.

Minimum Qualifications
  • PhD or equivalent doctorate in relevant field is required
  • Research experience or technical skills in gait/motion analysis, computer programing (Matlab, C++,etc.), wearable robotics, and musculoskeletal modeling (OpenSim) are desired.
  • Excellent organizational and written and verbal communication skills arebrequired

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
  • Knowledge of the use of laboratory/field instruments and tools.
  • Knowledge of the principles and techniques of the subject disciplines.
  • Organizational and project management skills.
  • Leadership, coordination, and/or supervision skills.
  • Data collection, processing and analysis.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Highly motivated to perform research in a collaborative environment.
  • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships.
  • Communicates effectively.
  • Possesses strong problem solving, organizational, and analytical capabilities.
  • Promotes a diverse, inclusive environment.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

Under the recent executive order issued by President Biden requiring all employees of federal contractors to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, NAU expects all employees, including new hires, to be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation. Proof of vaccination will be required by January 4, 2022. For questions about vaccines and medical or religious accommodations, please visit FAQs for Employee Vaccination Requirement.


Background Information

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check.

Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities.

If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.


Salary

Salary range begins at $55,000. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.


FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.


Benefits

Post-Doctoral Scholars are hired on a contract basis, renewable each fiscal year for a maximum of 4 renewals (5 years) according to terms of the Arizona Board of Regents' Conditions of Post-Doctoral Service.

NAU offers an excellent benefit package to Post-Doctoral Scholars including generous health, dental and vision insurance; 10 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified family members. New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. Participation in NAU retirement plans is not available to Post-Doctoral Scholars. More information on benefits at NAU is available at the NAU HR benefits page.


Learning and Development

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days. If your position includes the supervision of a benefit-eligible employee, we offer the NAU Supervisors Academy for you to complete within your first 2 years.


Application Deadline

Applications received by June 1, 2022 will be given full consideration. Applications received after that date may be considered until the position is filled.


How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process please contact the Office of Equity and Access at: 928-523-3312/TDD - 928-523-1006 or PO Box 4083, Flagstaff AZ 86011.


Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

EEO is the Law Poster and Supplements

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.


Organization

About Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University sits at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, on homelands sacred to Native Americans throughout the region. We honor their past, present, and future generations, who have lived here for millennia and will forever call this place home.

Founded in 1899, Northern Arizona University is a community-engaged, high-research university that delivers an exceptional student-centered experience to its nearly 28,000 students in Flagstaff, at 22 statewide campuses, and online. Building on a 123-year history of distinctive excellence, NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond. NAU is committed to meeting talent with access and excellence through its impactful academic programs and enriching experiences, paving the way to a better future for the diverse students it serves and the communities they represent.

Why work at Northern Arizona University?  

Vision 
NAU aims to be the nation's preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

Mission
NAU transforms lives and enriches communities through high-quality academics and impactful scholarship, creative endeavors, and public service.

Commitment
NAU will educate, support, and empower students from all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences to reach their full potential and contribute to a more just, equitable, inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable future.

NAU- 2025 Elevating Excellence Priorities

  • Academic Excellence
  • Student Success
  • Commitment to Indigenous Peoples 
  • Impactful Scholarship
  • Mission Driven and Diverse Faculty and Staff
  • Community Engagment 
  • Sustainable Stewards of Resources 

Diversity

Northern Arizona University is committed to bringing excellence to our campus through a variety of backgrounds, skills, experiences, and perspectives.  We respect and value diversity among our faculty, staff, and students.

Learn more about our affirmative action plan and commitment to diversity.

Benefits for Northern Arizona University Faculty and Staff 

Why work at NAU?

Why choose Flagstaff?

Flagstaff has a population of about 70,000, rich in cultural diversity. Located at the base of the majestic San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff is 140 miles north of Phoenix at the intersection of Interstate 17 and Interstate 40.With its elevation of 7,000 feet and four-season climate, Flagstaff is ideal for year-round outdoor activities. Nearby attractions include the Grand Canyon, Lowell Observatory, Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, Monument Valley, Sunset Crater, Meteor Crater, and Arizona Snowbowl.

Flagstaff was recently ranked the 6th Least Stressful City in the United States by SmartAsset.com.  Come see what Flagstaff is all about and search our job openings to see what NAU can offer to you.

Northern Arizona University across Arizona

NAU also has a variety of statewide campuses that are employees work at including, but not limited to:

  • NAU- Yuma
  • NAU- North Valley (Phoenix, AZ)
  • NAU- Phoenix Biomedical Campus 
  • and many of our Arizona Community Colleges 

Diversity

Northern Arizona University is committed to bringing excellence to our campus through a variety of backgrounds, skills, experiences, and perspectives.  We respect and value diversity among our faculty, staff, and students.

Learn more about our affirmative action plan and commitment to diversity.

For any questions about Northern Arizona University or employment opportunities please contact HR.Contact@nau.edu

Company info
Website
Telephone
928-523-2223
Location
PO Box 4113 Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Flagstaff
AZ
86011
United States

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