Postdoctoral Position- Michigan:sensorimotor development

Postdoctoral Researcher in Developmental Neuromotor Control
University of Michigan, Division of Kinesiology

Principal Investigator: Beverly Ulrich
Co-Investigators: Bernard Martin, Engineering, University of Michigan
Vickie Moerchen, Physical Therapy, University of
Wisconsin- Milwaukee

Position Description: We are currently seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to join our NIH-funded studies of the sensorimotor development of infants born with spina bifida (SB). The overarching goal of this project is to create a foundation of basic information about the intrinsic sensorimotor capacities of infants with SB across the first year of postnatal life and their responsiveness to various forms of enhanced sensory input. We anticipate these results will become the basis for designing clinical trials of the impact of treadmill intervention protocols on the development of neuromotor control and function. We have progressed in this grant to the point of preparing an RO3 submission to further develop infant reflex testing equipment we have built for this work and a new RO1 to begin testing clinical intervention protocols. The person to be hired will contribute to these efforts.
We are using a body-weight supported treadmill stepping elicitation design to examine the capacity for infants with SB to produce steps over time, assessing both their kinematic and kinetic (EMG) behavior. We are testing the impact of multiple variations in the sensory input during treadmill stepping. We are also testing the use of vibration stimulation as a tool to determine the integrity of individual neuromotor pathways and as a possible tool for eliciting stepping patterns.
Applicants must have a background in physical therapy or adaptive physical activity, be a U.S. citizen, and be committed to pediatric research in developmental disabilities. Candidates should have a background in dynamic systems/complex systems, experience with motion capture and EMG systems, programming skills (MATLAB, LabVIEW), and have a Ph.D. in biomechanics, motor control, psychology, physical therapy, or a related discipline.

Responsibilities: Devote 100% time to this project, assist in the recruitment of participants (through the U of M hospital and regional hospitals), co-lead the data collection team, help maintain the accuracy and integrity of technical equipment, coordinate data processing and management (including programming), present results of the research at conferences and contribute to publications.

Applicants: Start date open, January 2009 to August 2009. Send cover letter, curriculum vita, and the contact information for three references to:

Bev Ulrich, Ph.D. Email: bdulrich@umich.edu<mailto:bdulrich@umich.edu>
1402 Washington Heights Phone: 734-764-5210
Division of Kinesiology
University of Michigan http://www.kines.umich.edu/research/dncl/index.html
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2013


Beverly D. Ulrich, Ph.D.
Professor and Dean, Kinesiology
1402 Washington Heights, Rm 4170
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2013
Executive Assistant, Marsha Lewis
email: mhlewis@umich.edu<mailto:mhlewis@umich.edu>, phone= 734-764-5210