UNIV - Open Rank - Associate Professor/Professor in Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Rehabilitation Research

Job Description Summary

The College of Health Professions (CHP) at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is seeking a faculty member who is especially focused on multisystem, whole person approaches capable of addressing one or more of the complex medical, social, and/or emotional issues faced by the person with EDS and related co-morbidities such as Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and dysautonomia. Areas of research that are of interest include but are not limited to exercise, neuromodulation, orthopedics, evidence-based rehabilitation approaches (including autonomic nervous system rehabilitation), the socioemotional barriers faced by the individual with EDS and their family and/or mindfulness. The candidate is not expected to exclusively focus on EDS research, and candidates who bring new expertise relevant to neurorehabilitation research in general to the Department will receive additional consideration.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Faculty

Cost Center

CC000223 CHP - HS&R Research Division

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

University-00

Pay Range

0.00 - 0.00 - 0.000

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Join the team that’s Changing What’s Possible in Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) rehabilitation. The College of Health Professions (CHP) at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is recruiting for an open rank faculty member (Assistant, Associate, or Professor rank) to develop an EDS rehabilitation research program in the Department of Health Sciences & Research.

We are seeking a faculty member who is especially focused on multisystem, whole person approaches capable of addressing one or more of the complex medical, social, and/or emotional issues faced by the person with EDS and related co-morbidities such as Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and dysautonomia. Areas of research that are of interest include but are not limited to exercise, neuromodulation, orthopedics, evidence-based rehabilitation approaches (including autonomic nervous system rehabilitation), the socioemotional barriers faced by the individual with EDS and their family and/or mindfulness. The candidate is not expected to exclusively focus on EDS research, and candidates who bring new expertise relevant to neurorehabilitation research in general to the Department will receive additional consideration.

Vision and Opportunity

• The exceptionally strong MUSC clinical and research environment has afforded the opportunity to establish a new clinical-research initiative, the Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Institute (EDSI). This faculty member will contribute to the growth of this new initiative and collaborate with clinicians and researchers within the EDSI.

• MUSC is currently receiving a significant number of new EDS patient referrals from across the country, largely driven by MUSC’s neurosurgical expertise.
• MUSC has the largest translational research lab investigating EDS and has identified candidate genes for hypermobile EDS (hEDS), which will be used to understand disease mechanisms and develop new therapies. Our translational research lab has also built genetic animal models for each of the 14 subtypes of EDS, which will be used to catalyze additional research opportunities and therapies for a variety of connective tissue diseases. The EDS genetics laboratory includes an innovation station that provides a think-tank setting for training future scientific leaders and healthcare professionals
• MUSC has established an EDS genetic registry, which will enable large-scale population screenings that are not possible elsewhere. These studies will provide clinical insights and diagnostic marker discoveries while providing the basis for long-term sustainable basic, translational, and clinical research programs.
• Outreach and advocacy campaigns have resulted in >500,000 people recognizing MUSC as a leader in clinical care and research for EDS, which has led to a groundswell for MUSC to become a destination center.

In fiscal year 2024, the College received ~$17.3 million in research funding ($16M from the NIH, ranking CHP 3rd nationally among NIH-ranked Schools of Allied Health Professions). Therefore, the successful applicant will collaborate with and complement current research teams/centers within the College and Department to help grow and expand rehabilitation 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 - https://chp.musc.edu/research/stroke-recovery
• National Center for Neuromodulation for Rehabilitation - https://chp.musc.edu/research/nc-nm4r
• Center for Healthy Aging - https://medicine.musc.edu/departments/centers/aging
• Center on Comparative Effectiveness & Data Analytics - https://chp.musc.edu/research/cedar
• Health Services Research Program - https://chp.musc.edu/research/health-services-research

In addition, we have very strong existing collaborations with individuals and groups in the College of Medicine (COM) within a greater MUSC ecosystem that includes, among others, Neuroscience, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Cardiology, Pathology, and Public Health.  

Competitive applicants should have a history of obtaining external research funding as well as strong skills in fostering collaborations, expertise in cutting-edge research methodologies and design, and a strong desire to help shape the future of EDS rehabilitation. Candidates must possess a PhD in a field related to rehabilitation science and have extensive experience collaborating with rehabilitation scientists. Academic appointments 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, depending on candidate qualifications and teaching interests. A joint VA research appointment (need not be a current VA investigator) is also possible.

Current Environment:

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is South Carolina’s only comprehensive academic health science center and the state’s largest medical complex. MUSC has an extensive research enterprise with 1,230 extramural awards totaling more than $300M in FY2023. MUSC provides an environment that is highly conducive for conducting research and substantial resources are available to support the development and ongoing needs of a well-funded program in cognitive and physical rehabilitation of aging related dysfunction. Additionally, for seven years in a row (2017 – 2032) MUSC has received the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT in Diversity, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.

Charleston, South Carolina has frequently been voted, “Top Small City in the United States” in the Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards. With a rich 300-year history, Charleston today is one of America's most beautifully preserved architectural and historical treasures and offers a wide variety of history, culture, arts, recreation and beautiful beaches.  Charleston, the second largest city in South Carolina, is situated midway up the state’s Atlantic Ocean coastline at the confluence of the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. Originally named “Charles Towne” when founded in 1670, Charleston had 16,000 residents in 1790 and has grown to a population of just over 150,000 residents as of 2020.

Application Process:

Questions regarding the position (not the application process) can be directed to:

Michelle L. Woodbury PhD, OTR/L

WoodbuML@musc.edu

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

Alternatively, please submit your CV and a 1-2 page Research Program Vision Statement to Michelle L. Woodbury (WoodbuML@musc.edu)

MUSC is an equal opportunity employer, supporting workplace diversity. MUSC is a drug-free workplace.

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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