Research Jobs & Fellowships

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Occupational Therapy Neurological Fellowship 
Physical Therapy Residencies
Internships in Engineering and Neuroscience

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY NEUROLOGICAL FELLOWSHIP

Application dates January 6–April 4, 2025

The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Neurological Fellowship Program encompasses innovative and research informed rehabilitation and positions occupational therapists as advocates for consumers to achieve ability in the community

The mission of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Neurological Fellowship Program is to prepare occupational therapy practitioners to become leaders and advocates in the profession. We are committed to developing advocates for occupational therapy and leaders through research informed, collaborative, and community-engaged practice.

Advancing Human Ability® by creating tomorrow’s community engaged practice.

Our philosophy is that occupational therapy practitioners can successfully integrate both community engaged and evidence-informed practice in order to achieve true excellence in patient care through interprofessional collaboration as leaders in neurorehabilitation. Through this fellowship, we will provide opportunities for synthesis and supported application of advanced practice for each core element of the program through active learning.

CORE THREADS OF FELLOWSHIP

• Research Informed Practice
• Collaborative Interprofessional Practice
• Community Engaged Practice
• Professional Identity
• Leadership in Clinical Practice

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

• 12-month program with additional employment opportunities both before and after the fellowship
• Program includes structured clinical mentorship in evidence-based practice and translational research. Fellow will work with rehabilitation, academic and research experts as part of clinical experiences in specialty labs, day rehabilitation and inpatient neurorehabilitation
• Fellow will have the opportunity to individualize the curriculum to target their own professional goals
• Fellow will have educational opportunities as a learner and/or an instructor with our academic partner University of Illinois Chicago
• Graduating fellows will be prepared to apply for the AOTA Board Certification in Physical Rehabilitation when eligible

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application cycle is January 6 – April 4, 2025, with a formal program start date in September.  The fellow will be asked to start employment at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab 1-2 months ahead in a flex staff role to complete orientation before the fellowship begins.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Letter of intent to become a fellow, which should include:
   1. Personal goals and objectives for the fellowship.
   2. A narrative summary of prior clinical and educational experience.
   3. A narrative self-assessment of clinical strengths and weaknesses.
   4. Statement of short and long term goals for career and clinical practice in neurological rehabilitation following successful completion of the fellowship.
2. Current CV
3. Two letters of recommendation to be admitted to the fellowship, including at least one of the following:
   1. Current or former occupational therapy supervisor (or fieldwork educator, if a recent graduate with less than 6 months experience).
   2. Instructor or faculty member from an ACOTE accredited occupational therapy program if a recent graduate (within 2 years).

*Select candidates will participate in an interview process.

Apply

CONTACT OUR TEAM

Director: Jennifer Richert
Coordinator:  Kelsey Watters
Email: OTFellowship@sralab.org

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Physical Therapy Residencies
 

Neurologic PT Residency

Orthopedic PT Residency

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Summer Internship in Engineering and Neuroscience
 

The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Summer Internship in Engineering and Neuroscience provides undergraduate students with an intense experience in cutting edge research in the areas of engineering, neuroscience, and rehabilitation. The goal of the program is to identify, train, and nurture the development of future investigators who plan on using engineering applications to study neurologic disorders. We believe that early exposure to interdisciplinary research will provide tomorrow’s scientists with the skills they need to help end the devastation of neurologic injury.

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To browse all our open available clinical & research positions, check out our Careers page.