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Position: PhD Student (2 positions available)
Location: Michigan State University – East Lansing, MI, USA
Start Date: Fall 2025 (flexible for the right candidate)
Application Deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled
Position Description:
The Athletic Injury and Rehabilitation (AIR) Labs at Michigan State University invite applications for two PhD student positions to support a federally funded research project focused on identifying why some active individuals develop early arthritis following knee surgery. This is a full-time, on-site position within MSU’s Kinesiology PhD program (Athletic Injury & Rehabilitation concentration).
Students will work on an interdisciplinary team and gain experience in:
The project leverages technologies including 3D motion capture, wearable sensors, and musculoskeletal ultrasound. PhD students will be expected to contribute to peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and dissertation research aligned with the broader study goals.
Preferred Qualifications:
Funding & Support:
The positions are fully funded through research assistantships, which include:
✔️ Full tuition coverage
✔️ Competitive stipend
✔️ Health insurance
To Apply:
Interested candidates should email the following materials as a single PDF:
Send materials or inquiries to:
Dr. Matt Harkey – harkeym1@msu.edu
Dr. Harvi Hart – hartharv@msu.edu
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Location: Michigan State University – East Lansing, MI, USA
Start Date: Fall 2025 (flexible for the right candidate)
Application Deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled
Position Description:
The Athletic Injury and Rehabilitation (AIR) Labs at Michigan State University invite applications for two PhD student positions to support a federally funded research project focused on identifying why some active individuals develop early arthritis following knee surgery. This is a full-time, on-site position within MSU’s Kinesiology PhD program (Athletic Injury & Rehabilitation concentration).
Students will work on an interdisciplinary team and gain experience in:
- Biomechanical analysis of gait and landing
- Ultrasound imaging of joint structures (e.g., fat pad, effusion-synovitis, cartilage)
- Physical activity monitoring and return-to-sport outcomes
- Psychological, hormonal, and structural risk factors
- Patient-reported outcomes and recovery trajectories
The project leverages technologies including 3D motion capture, wearable sensors, and musculoskeletal ultrasound. PhD students will be expected to contribute to peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and dissertation research aligned with the broader study goals.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in kinesiology, biomechanics, biomedical engineering, physical therapy, or a related discipline
- Prior research experience in human movement, musculoskeletal imaging, or rehabilitation science
- Strong scientific writing and analytical skills
- Interest in translational, interdisciplinary research
- Experience with MATLAB, Python, or statistical software is a plus
Funding & Support:
The positions are fully funded through research assistantships, which include:
✔️ Full tuition coverage
✔️ Competitive stipend
✔️ Health insurance
To Apply:
Interested candidates should email the following materials as a single PDF:
- Cover letter detailing research interests and motivation for pursuing a PhD
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Research statement or summary of relevant experiences
- Contact information for 2–3 references (letters not required at this stage)
Send materials or inquiries to:
Dr. Matt Harkey – harkeym1@msu.edu
Dr. Harvi Hart – hartharv@msu.edu
Infographics_DocStudentRecruiting_twitter.png