Job Description

We are seeking an outstanding postdoctoral candidate for research in brain-machine interfacing and restoration of movement after paralysis via electrical stimulation of the peripheral nerves. Our work is part of a larger government-funded clinical trial (ReHAB: Reconnecting the Hand and Arm to the Brain) to restore arm function to paralyzed individuals by using their intracortical brain signals to control peripheral nerve stimulators that reanimate their paralyzed muscles. The specific focus of our five-year NIH-funded project (PIs: Drs. Dawn Taylor and Bolu Ajiboye) is to improve brain-controlled limb movements by more effectively modulating limb stiffness (i.e. degree of co-contraction of antagonist muscle) to improve limb stability while also minimizing muscle fatigue.

Research activities include working with healthy animals using their brain signals to control a computer simulation of a paralyzed arm, as well as spinal cord-injured humans controlling their own paralyzed arm. Ideal candidates will have experience/familiarity with some or all of the following: intracortical recordings in animals and/or humans; peripheral nerve stimulation for restoration of movement; real-time neural signal processing; writing custom programs to control multiple pieces of hardware and control objects in a virtual environment (Matlab skills preferred); and computational or biomechanical modeling. An advanced degree in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Neurosciences is preferred, but other applicants will be considered.

This is a great opportunity to work with our large interdisciplinary team of researchers, engineers and clinicians to gain a wide range of skills beneficial for your future neural or rehab-related career. Interested candidates should submit their curriculum vitae to Dawn Taylor, PhD  (taylord8@ccf.org).