UNIV - Assistant Professor in Brain Health, Neuroimaging, and Neurorehabilitation Research

Job Description Summary

The College of Health Professions at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position within the Department of Health Sciences & Research. We seek an outstanding early-stage investigator who will develop an externally funded research program focused on brain health in aging and neurodegeneration. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in one or more areas including neuroimaging, neuromodulation, neurodegeneration biomarkers, cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology, aging, rehabilitation, or related fields, and will demonstrate strong potential for scientific leadership and sustained research growth.

Applicants should have a strong record of peer-reviewed publications and evidence of success or strong potential in securing competitive research funding, including pilot grants, fellowships, career development awards, foundation grants, or federal funding mechanisms. Candidates with experience integrating multimodal approaches, such as neuromodulation techniques, advanced neuroimaging, fluid biomarkers, and behavioral and cognitive assessments are especially encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment with opportunities to engage investigators across the College of Health Professions, College of Medicine, and the broader MUSC research enterprise. Areas of strategic interest include:

• Neuroimaging methods (diffusion MRI, fMRI, PET, EEG, MEG, MRS, multimodal imaging approaches)
• Neuromodulation and brain stimulation (TMS, tDCS, VNS, focused ultrasound, closed-loop stimulation approaches)
• Neurodegeneration biomarkers, including blood-based and fluid biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders
• Cognitive aging and dementia
• Neural mechanisms of recovery, neuroplasticity, and rehabilitation
• Precision approaches to brain health and neurological disease
• Machine learning, advanced analytics, and computational neuroscience
• Brain network and connectome analyses
• Cognitive and physical rehabilitation across neurological conditions

The candidate will have exceptional opportunities to collaborate with faculty affiliated with two NIH-funded centers: the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence for Restoration of Neural-Based Function and Neuro-PRECISE: Center for Advancing Precision Neural Circuit-Based Rehabilitation. Together, these programs support a vibrant community of investigators studying neural recovery, brain stimulation, neuroimaging, and rehabilitation science.

Additionally, in Fall 2026 the College of Health Professions will open the Center for the Restoration of Neural-Based Function in the Real World (RENEW Center), a 15,000-square-foot state-of-the-art research facility funded through a $7.9 million NIH construction grant. This innovative space will provide extensive resources for human neuroscience, neuroimaging, neuromodulation, and translational rehabilitation research.

The successful candidate will benefit from numerous collaborative opportunities across MUSC, including investigators in Neuroscience, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Pathology, Public Health Sciences, Geriatrics, and Biomedical Engineering. Existing strengths include Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, stroke, traumatic brain injury, cognitive neuroscience, rehabilitation science, neuroimaging, neuromodulation, biomarker discovery, and precision medicine.

This position offers a unique opportunity for a highly motivated early-career scientist to develop an independent and impactful research program within a nationally recognized academic health center committed to advancing brain health, neurorehabilitation, and neuroscience discovery.

Primary academic appointment will be in the College of Health Professions, Department of Health Sciences & Research. Secondary academic appointments may also be available in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (e.g., Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology) or other departments at MUSC dependent on candidate qualifications and teaching interests. A joint VA research appointment is also a possibility (need not be a current VA investigator).

Preferred Qualifications
• PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical engineering, rehabilitation science, neurology, psychiatry, or a related field.
• Postdoctoral or equivalent research training.
• Demonstrated expertise in neuroimaging, neuromodulation, and/or neurodegeneration biomarkers
• Strong publication record commensurate with career stage.
• Evidence of current or prior extramural funding, or strong potential for securing federal research support.
• Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, and scientific excellence.

Review of candidates will begin as received and continue until the position is filled.

Please submit your CV and a 1-2 page Research Program Vision Statement with your application.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Faculty

Cost Center

CC000222 CHP - HS&R Admin

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

University-00

Pay Range

0.00 - 0.00 - 0.000

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

The successful applicant will collaborate with and complement current research teams/centers to help

grow and expand neurorehabilitation research at MUSC.

Key centers and collaborative opportunities include:

• Center for Rehabilitation Research in Neurological Conditions

https://chp.musc.edu/research/crrnc

• Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Stroke Recovery (NIH funded)

https://chp.musc.edu/research/stroke-recovery

• The Center for Healthy Aging

https://medicine.musc.edu/departments/centers/aging

• Center for Health Data Innovation & Impact

https://chp.musc.edu/research/centers/health-data

• MUSC Institute for Neuroscience Discovery (MIND)

https://muschealth.org/medical-services/neurosciences/mind

• South Carolina Alzheimer’s Network (SCAN) – based at MUSC

https://muschealth.org/medical-services/neurosciences/sc-alzheimers-network

Additional Job Description

Physical Requirements: (Note: The following descriptions are applicable to this section: Continuous - 6-8 hours per shift; Frequent - 2-6 hours per shift; Infrequent - 0-2 hours per shift) Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work outdoors in all weather and temperature extremes. (Infrequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Infrequent) Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (Infrequent) Ability to squat and perform job functions. (Infrequent) Ability to perform 'pinching' operations. (Infrequent) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Frequent) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Frequent) Ability to reach in all directions. (Frequent) Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 15 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift objects, up to 15 lbs., from floor level to height of 36 inches, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lower objects, up to 15 lbs., from height of 36 inches to floor level, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to push/pull objects, up to 15 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Frequent) Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Frequent) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Frequent)

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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