Dear Colleagues;


Applications are invited for a fully funded, multi-year, post-doctoral
fellowship position in the Functional and Applied Biomechanics Section
within the Rehabilitation Medicine Department at the National Institutes
of Health (Bethesda, Maryland)



The successful candidate will be a pivotal member of a the Virtual
Functional Anatomy (VFA) Initiative's multi-disciplinary team,
consisting of engineers, radiologist, MRI specialist, orthopeadic
surgeons, clinicians, that is pursuing the development of innovative
tools for the non-invasive measurement of in vivo musculoskeletal
dynamics. The ultimate goal of the VFA Initiative is to characterize,
non-invasively and in vivo, the musculoskeletal system at the component
level (joint anatomy and tissue dynamics) during functional movements in
order to fill the important knowledge gap that exists in the
relationship between functional movement limitations and impaired joint
structure or function. This is being accomplished by developing a set of
interdisciplinary tools that will allow the accurate and precise
measurement of three-dimensional static and dynamic musculoskeletal
anatomy (i.e., bone shape, skeletal kinematics, tendon and ligament
strain, tendon moment arms, muscle force, and joint space).

The Post-doctoral candidate must be highly motivated with excellent
research, analytical and writing skills. The person filling this
position will provide high quality scientific, technical research
expertise to the team for ongoing projects and will be expected to work
towards developing an independent research initiative based on
collaborations with both intramural and extramural collaborators. Image
analysis, musculoskeletal modeling and human movement analysis will be
the key focuses of this position. This opportunity will provide access
to advanced technology involving biomedical/biomechanical engineering,
imaging technologies and all aspects of a highly productive
rehabilitation research program. In addition, numerous collaboration and
training opportunities are available through the wider NIH community.







Technical Requirements

This position requires a minimum of a PhD degree from an accredited
university in engineering, physics or the sciences. Knowledge of
mechanical engineering principles and biomechanics methodologies is
essential. Working knowledge and/or experience with MR imaging
techniques would be beneficial, but not essential.

Duties and Responsibilities


a. Effectively contribute to ongoing research projects.
b. Develop a unique research focus that compliments the ongoing
projects.
c. Develop internal and external collaborations in support of
research initiatives.
d. Participate in research and patient care related training
opportunities.
e. Present and publish pertinent scientific finding to the
national and international scientific communities.
f. Conduct experiments with appropriate methodology, collect and
analyze data carefully, and maintain well-organized records and research
notes.
g. Develop and implement instructional materials for effectively
training students, interns, fellows, and visiting scientists on correct
state-of-the-art methodology for analyzing human movement.




Skill or Knowledge Required

a. A proven high level of organizational and communication, both written
and oral, skills, with a track record of both conference presentations
and peer-reviewed journal articles.
b. Demonstrated ability to work with others and provide training
opportunities at various levels.
c. Demonstrated ability to conduct the administrative tasks necessary to
create and maintain research data files in compliance with scientific
and patient confidentiality standards.
d. Demonstrated proficiency in computer programming (C++ and Matlab).
e. Ability to conduct independent research and to form collaborations
with a multi-disciplinary team.

Applicants should send CV, a statement of research interests, a summary
of past research experience and a list of at least four references to:

Dr. Frances T. Sheehan.
Functional and Applied Biomechanics Section
Clinical Research Center Rm 1-11469
National Institutes of Health

10 Center Drive MSC 1604
Bethesda, Md. 20892-1604



Application material can also be electronically submitted to
gavellif@cc.nih.gov.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until
the position is filled.









Frances T (Sheehan) Gavelli

Principle Investigator / Research Engineer

National Institutes of Health

Rehabilitation Medicine

Bldg 10 CRC, Rm 1-1469

10 Center Drive MSC 1604

Bethesda, MD 20892-1604

Phone: (301) 451-7585

Fax: (301) 451-7536

gavellif@cc.nih.gov