Research MD Fellow J1 Temp Scholar

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As a Research Fellow, you will perform research tasks consistent with our Research Scholar program, with the specific duties determined to support ongoing projects.

Every day you will contribute to laboratory or other research environments under the direct guidance of a faculty member, actively developing the essential skills and expertise required for a successful career as an independent investigator or advanced researcher.

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate a strong commitment to rigorous scientific inquiry, continuous professional development, and collaborative work. Your dedication to your assigned research projects and personal growth within the program will be paramount.

• Shows growth technically and intellectually and demonstrates capabilities to produce quality original research.
• Develops well-defined objectives and beneficially contributes to mentor-directed research.
• Is able to identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Conduct research to develop methodologies for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
• Brings added value to the collective skill set in the mentor’s group.
• The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

The International Sonntag Spine Research Fellowship offers a funded, one-year research opportunity at Barrow Neurological Institute’s Kelly Spinal Biomechanics Laboratory, focusing on non-clinical, laboratory-based spine research. Designed for international spine surgeons or neurosurgery residents from low- and middle-income countries, the fellowship is anticipated to start in July 2027.

Fellows will engage in academic, collaborative learning and research, primarily investigating implantable devices and surgical spinal procedures under the direction of Brian P. Kelly, PhD, in the Sonntag Spine Center. Support will also be provided by the Franke Neuroscience Education Center, Barrow Global, and its partners. Participants will gain in-depth knowledge of spinal biomechanics principles, learn advanced laboratory techniques, and take a leadership role in research projects, including data collection, analysis, and presentation.

A key component of the fellowship involves disseminating research through abstract submissions to major spine-related conferences (e.g., CNS, NASS, AANS) and publishing in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, with crucial support from Barrow’s Neuroscience Publications Department. This opportunity does not involve direct patient care or clinical practice, but fellows can augment their clinical learning by attending neurosurgical spine rounds, clinical case conferences, grand rounds, and via observation in Barrow operating rooms.

While the role is research-focused, fellows will be expected to contribute clinical insight to novel study designs and interpretation of findings. An ultimate goal is for fellows to be able to take the research principles and methodologies learned during their time at Barrow and apply them to conduct future research projects in their country of origin.

Final date to receive applications is October 15, 2026.

Required

• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent in a relevant field of endeavor
• Laboratory research at the postbaccalaureate level with an interest in a faculty member’s line of study

Preferred

• Experience writing research reports concerning own work and familiarity with a biomedical discipline

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