Implementation Research Scientist (F72930), PM&R, School of Medicine

Mission or Goal of Unit:
The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Center for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering (CERSE) was created in 2006 to foster transdisciplinary rehabilitation research and training that will lead to cutting-edge, translational outcomes. CERSE is housed in the VCU Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R/CERSE), one of the oldest and most well-respected U.S. PM&R departments CERSE’s mission is to connect researchers and accelerate rehabilitation breakthroughs that empower people to overcome barriers and thrive. We facilitate innovation and collaboration in the broad field of rehabilitation including medicine, allied health, engineering, social work, nursing, humanities and sciences, and education. CERSE’s overarching objectives are to: (1) Create transdisciplinary collaboration and synergy within and across VCU, Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Institute, Richmond Veterans Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Richmond, and our state agency community partners, including the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitation Services; (2) Foster coordinated research alliances locally, nationally, and internationally; (3) Unify rehabilitation research resources, develop talent, enhance funding, and substantially increase productivity; and (4) Through high quality research, establish a national reputation as a comprehensive healthcare and clinical research center for America’s warriors and heroes, student athletes, children and adults with disabilities - from clinical care to basic research sciences. VCU CERSE and PM&R have a rich history of developing funded research programs, producing new knowledge, and innovating rehabilitation clinical practice.

Chief Purpose of this position:
VCU PM&R/CERSE seeks a full-time Implementation Research Scientist to join our faculty. The work of this teaching and research faculty position has two primary components. First, the Implementation Research Scientist (IRS) will initiate, conceptualize, design, and execute large data studies and disseminate findings for interdisciplinary health services research (IHSR) projects. Second, the IRS will adapt rehabilitation health service findings into new applied interventions that can be tested in diverse real-world practice settings including acute, post-acute, and community rehabilitation settings. The IRS will provide research design and statistical methods expertise to interdisciplinary research faculty and agency officials for a broad range of clinical research programs and on grant applications. The IRS will also serve as a mentor for graduate research masters’ theses, doctoral dissertations, post-doctoral fellowships, and/or early career research faculty. The incumbent will be a nationally recognized expert in the fields of health services research, implementation science, biostatistics, or a related field. The IRS will have a record of achievement obtaining NIH K, R and/or U grant funding. The incumbent will have expertise evaluating the research of others as evidenced by being a member of national level scientific merit review boards and journal editorial review boards. The position requires an individual with strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills. A passion for improving the lives of civilians and veterans with acquired injury, disease and/or disability is essential..

Required Qualifications:
• A doctoral degree in psychology, neuropsychology, allied health professions, epidemiology, health services, data science or a closely related field
• A publication history in peer-reviewed journals with a focus on health services research, epidemiology and/or implementation science applied in rehabilitation populations
• Expertise in grant writing and submissions with a record of achievement obtaining NIH K, R, U or P grants.
• Experience in team science and leading multi-disciplinary research collaborations on grant submissions, study implementation, and knowledge translation/dissemination
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills working with faculty, trainees, data analysts, and programmers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must be independent, conscientious, and demonstrate high initiative in research, teaching, service and administrative matters
• Must have expertise working with community disability groups and have a genuine passion to improve the lives of persons with disability
• Ability to communicate and work closely as an equal with departmental and center staff at all levels
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment, and a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:
• High level knowledge of rehabilitation service delivery challenges/problems and expertise defining important clinical questions and the next research development step in a given field
• Broad knowledge of efficacy and effectiveness clinical trial research designs
• High level skills examining and selecting appropriate statistical approaches to answer clinical research questions
• Advanced knowledge and experience conducting effectiveness clinical trials using appropriate research designs/approaches, e.g., pragmatic, cluster randomized, etc.