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Rehabilitation Research Centre
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An exciting opportunity exists for a physiotherapist who is experienced in neurological rehabilitation to work on two interrelated research studies using Functional Electrical Simulation (FES) to restore upright mobility to persons with spinal cord injury. One study funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council will assess cardiovascular and physiological responses to prolonged standing and ambulation using FES. The other study is a sponsored clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of a new 8-channel surface FES stimulator to restore upright mobility for persons with complete paraplegia.
Duties: The successful applicant will plan and implement a FES-gait training programs for subjects with paraplegia, including arranging appointments, as well as the coordination of periodic assessment and assisting with data collection activities and data entry. Subjects will attend training three times weekly for approximately 5-6 months. Training will involve FES-induced strengthening of lower limb muscles, body-weight support treadmill and overground walking using FES and a frame or crutches, practice of standing and transfer activities. Training will occur at the Rehabilitation Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Lidcombe and the Moorong Spinal Unit, Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney, Ryde. The applicant will need to liaise closely with the principal investigators and assist with other aspects of the study, as necessary.
Essential Criteria: Applicants must have tertiary qualifications in physiotherapy, excellent interpersonal and English language skills, good organisational and time management skills and proven ability to work independently and as part of a team. Also essential is previous clinical experience in working with patients or subjects possessing neurological conditions or disabilities.
Desirable criteria: Expertise working with persons following spinal cord injury, experience with FES, a valid NSW driver’s license, expertise in quantitative research. A postgraduate qualification in Neurological Physiotherapy is an asset.
Further information may be obtained from Assoc. Prof. Glen Davis, Rehabilitation Research Centre, University of Sydney (Phone: 02 9351 9466; email: g.davis@fhs.usyd.edu.au) or Dr James Middleton, Moorong Spinal Unit, Royal Rehabilitation Centre (Phone: 02 9808 9269; email: middlej@doh.health.nsw.gov.au).
The position can be part-time (minimum 0.8 FTE) or full-time, fixed term for three years, subject to the completion of a satisfactory probation period for new appointees. There is some flexibility with this appointment; however, the appointee will need to be available to train inpatients Monday to Friday. Membership of a University approved superannuation scheme is a condition of employment for new appointees.
Remuneration Package: $60,830 p.a. on a proportionate basis (which includes a base salary $47,449 p.a., leave loading and up to 17% employer’s contribution to superannuation)
Applications should quote the reference number, address the selection criteria and include a CV, the names, addresses, e-mail, fax and phone number of two confidential referees.
Applications to:
The
Personnel Officer,
College of Health Sciences,
Cumberland Campus (C42)
The University of Sydney,
PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 1825
[ top ]Biomedical Engineer – Post-Doctoral Fellow
An opportunity exists for a Post-Doctoral Fellow with a Biomedical Engineering background to join a team of researchers and clinicians who work in the field of neurological rehabilitation using Functional Electrical Simulation (FES) to restore upright mobility to persons disabled by spinal cord injury.
Duties: The successful applicant will be responsible for the development and implementation of novel software strategies to control FES-assisted standing and gait in subjects with paraplegia. The applicant will also implement in the research and clinical settings FES programs for assisted standing and gait in persons with spinal cord injury. S/he will assist with supervision of postgraduate students. In addition the successful applicant will collect, analyse and use clinical data to refine development of improved FES programs to assist standing and gait in persons with spinal cord injury. An important role will be to liaise regularly with senior researchers/clinicians on team regarding progress and prioritisation of research and development tasks. Finally, there will be an expectation of research independence involving development, design and implementation of research programs in new directions, including grant-writing, writing scientific publications and design of new equipment in his/her research area (20% time).
Research and development activity will occur at the Rehabilitation Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Lidcombe, however, may also involve some clinical implementation testing at the Moorong Spinal Unit, Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney, Ryde.
Essential criteria: Applicants must have a PhD degree (or complete of PhD degree within 6 months of appointment) with an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering, Electronics Engineering or similar engineering-related field. In addition, the applicant must possess a Masters degree in engineering-related field, Medicine, Physiotherapy, or other science discipline. High-level software development skills (eg. C++, Matlab, Labview), research experience in clinical environments with neurological disability patients, proven ability to work independently and as part of a team, good English language communication and interpersonal skills are essential requirements.
Desirable criteria: The successful applicant must possess previous research experience with FES applications in persons with spinal cord injury, previous research experience in clinical biomechanics, demonstrated expertise in control theory, a valid NSW driver’s license. A strong asset would be Biomedical Engineering skills with electronics hardware design or repair, circuit design or similar skills.
Further information may be obtained from Associate Prof. Glen Davis, Rehabilitation Research Centre, University of Sydney (Phone: 02 9351 9466; email: g.davis@fhs.usyd.edu.au).
The position is a full-time, fixed term appointment for two years, with possible further extension subject to availability of funding. Membership of a University approved superannuation scheme is a condition of employment for new appointees.
Remuneration Package: $66,890 p.a. on a proportionate basis (which includes a base salary $52,176 p.a., leave loading and up to 17% employer’s contribution to superannuation). Candidates appointed without PhD (or equivalent), must complete these requirements within 6 months of initial appointment date. Remuneration package for individuals without PhD is Level A Step 1 for a remuneration package of $52,908 p.a. on a proportionate basis (which includes a base salary $41,270 p.a., leave loading and up to 17% employer’s contribution to superannuation)
Applications should quote the reference number, address the selection criteria and include a CV, the names, addresses, e-mail, fax and phone number of two confidential referees.
Applications to:
The
Personnel Officer,
College of Health Sciences,
Cumberland Campus (C42)
The University of Sydney,
PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 1825
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