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The Human Balance and Ambulation Research Laboratory (HBARL) at the University of Missouri – Kansas City is recruiting a doctoral research assistant to conduct experimental and computational analysis in human balance, posture, and gait. The position is available starting in Fall 2012 or upon mutual agreement. A graduate research assistantship will be provided for an initial period of 1 year, with possibility of extension.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Duties include development and implementation of testing protocols; participant recruitment; data collection, reduction, and analysis; statistical analysis; manuscript, report, and/or proposal preparation; coordination of research efforts among interdisciplinary collaborators; and other tasks as assigned by the director.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in mechanical/biomedical engineering or closely related field
- Strong background in statistics and research methods
- Experience with data acquisition systems and associated data reduction methods
- Excellent written and verbal English communication skills
- Excellent computer programming skills in MATLAB, C++, or related language
- Highly motivated with established ability to work independently
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with human experimentation, particularly motion capture, force platforms, and EMG
- Experience with Vicon Nexus software
LABORATORY: The HBARL is affiliated with UMKC’s Human Motion Laboratory (HML), a fully functional gait laboratory featuring a 7-camera Vicon motion capture system, 4 AMTI force platforms, and a 16-channel Delsys EMG system. Additional resources available to HML researchers include professional imaging equipment, biometric sensors, fNIRS and EEG neurophysiological sensors, static and dynamic testing machines, a Biodex multi-joint dynamometer, and high-performance computational facilities. Current HBARL research interests include multimodal fall risk assessment, slip/fall prevention, and aging in place.
UNIVERSITY: The University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC), located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri, is one of four campuses in the University of Missouri System along with campuses located in Columbia, Rolla, and St. Louis, Missouri. UMKC’s core mission is to lead in the life and health sciences, and is accordingly engaged in research through the provision, resources, and advancements, in medical, biomedical, and basic life sciences being done by faculty in Arts and Sciences, Biological Sciences, Computing and Engineering, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy. In addition to these outstanding programs, UMKC is a founding stakeholder of the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute (KCALSI), an organization responsible for coordinating the Kansas City region’s life sciences initiative. Through this association, UMKC has forged partnerships with area life and health sciences institutions including Truman Medical Center, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Saint Luke’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center, Western Missouri Mental Health Center, Midwest Research Institute, Stowers Institute, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, and the University of Kansas.
CITY: Kansas City is a fantastic place to live, and features a huge variety of attractions including world-class food, shopping, sports and recreation, culture, music, and arts. Kansas City also boasts a big-city feel without the high cost of living and congestion often seen in other major metropolitan areas.
APPLICATION: To apply, please email a current curriculum vitae, recent sample of technical writing, and brief description of research interests to Dr. Gregory King at kinggr@umkc.edu.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Duties include development and implementation of testing protocols; participant recruitment; data collection, reduction, and analysis; statistical analysis; manuscript, report, and/or proposal preparation; coordination of research efforts among interdisciplinary collaborators; and other tasks as assigned by the director.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in mechanical/biomedical engineering or closely related field
- Strong background in statistics and research methods
- Experience with data acquisition systems and associated data reduction methods
- Excellent written and verbal English communication skills
- Excellent computer programming skills in MATLAB, C++, or related language
- Highly motivated with established ability to work independently
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with human experimentation, particularly motion capture, force platforms, and EMG
- Experience with Vicon Nexus software
LABORATORY: The HBARL is affiliated with UMKC’s Human Motion Laboratory (HML), a fully functional gait laboratory featuring a 7-camera Vicon motion capture system, 4 AMTI force platforms, and a 16-channel Delsys EMG system. Additional resources available to HML researchers include professional imaging equipment, biometric sensors, fNIRS and EEG neurophysiological sensors, static and dynamic testing machines, a Biodex multi-joint dynamometer, and high-performance computational facilities. Current HBARL research interests include multimodal fall risk assessment, slip/fall prevention, and aging in place.
UNIVERSITY: The University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC), located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri, is one of four campuses in the University of Missouri System along with campuses located in Columbia, Rolla, and St. Louis, Missouri. UMKC’s core mission is to lead in the life and health sciences, and is accordingly engaged in research through the provision, resources, and advancements, in medical, biomedical, and basic life sciences being done by faculty in Arts and Sciences, Biological Sciences, Computing and Engineering, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy. In addition to these outstanding programs, UMKC is a founding stakeholder of the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute (KCALSI), an organization responsible for coordinating the Kansas City region’s life sciences initiative. Through this association, UMKC has forged partnerships with area life and health sciences institutions including Truman Medical Center, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Saint Luke’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center, Western Missouri Mental Health Center, Midwest Research Institute, Stowers Institute, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, and the University of Kansas.
CITY: Kansas City is a fantastic place to live, and features a huge variety of attractions including world-class food, shopping, sports and recreation, culture, music, and arts. Kansas City also boasts a big-city feel without the high cost of living and congestion often seen in other major metropolitan areas.
APPLICATION: To apply, please email a current curriculum vitae, recent sample of technical writing, and brief description of research interests to Dr. Gregory King at kinggr@umkc.edu.