Funded PhD Position for Fall 2027

Funded PhD Position in Motor Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Fall 2027

Position Summary

The Motor Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory (MoNeL) in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking a highly motivated and intellectually curious PhD student to join our multidisciplinary research team beginning in Fall 2027.

The MoNeL aims to:

1. Understand the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying impaired motor control and motor learning in healthy older adults and individuals with stroke; and

2. Develop innovative rehabilitation approaches to improve functional motor control, with an emphasis on walking and balance.

Our research integrates behavioral, biomechanical, and neurophysiological approaches to investigate motor control and motor learning during standing and walking. The MoNeL provides an advanced research environment for gait and balance perturbation, neuromuscular and biomechanical assessment, whole-body kinematic and kinetic analysis, and immersive virtual-reality experiments.

Our facilities include a BalanceTutor treadmill capable of delivering controlled mediolateral perturbations during standing and walking, instrumented treadmills for gait and kinetic analyses, an Xsens IMU-based motion-capture system for measuring whole-body kinematics, wireless high-density electromyography (HD-EMG), high-density electroencephalography (EEG), dynamic balance platforms, and immersive virtual-reality technology.

The successful candidate will work closely with Dr. Seoung Hoon Park, Director of the MoNeL, and contribute to ongoing research projects involving motor control, motor learning, neurophysiology, walking, balance, aging, stroke, and neurorehabilitation. While contributing to the laboratory’s core research projects, the student will be strongly encouraged to develop and lead an independent line of research aligned with the broader mission of the MoNeL.

The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research mentorship and training, with opportunities to:

• Design and conduct human-participant research

• Collect and analyze biomechanical and neurophysiological data

• Present research at national and international conferences

• Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals

• Contribute to research proposals and grant applications

• Collaborate with researchers across disciplines

• Develop an independent program of doctoral research

• Build the skills necessary for a competitive research career

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must have:

• A master’s degree completed by the time of enrollment in Kinesiology, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, Biomedical Engineering, Neuroscience, Physics, or a closely related discipline

• A strong research interest and demonstrated commitment to motor neuroscience, neuromuscular physiology, biomechanics, motor control, motor learning, or neurorehabilitation

• Programming experience with MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, C, or a related programming language

• Strong quantitative, organizational, and problem-solving skills

• Reliability, initiative, and the ability to manage research responsibilities effectively

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to applicants with one or more of the following:

• Experience conducting human-participant research, particularly with older adults, individuals with stroke, or other clinical populations

• Experience collecting, processing, or analyzing neurophysiological or biomechanical data

• Experience with EMG, EEG, motion capture, force platforms, instrumented treadmills, IMU-based systems, or wearable sensors

• Experience with signal processing, time-series analysis, statistical modeling, machine learning, or biomechanical modeling

• A record of conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications, thesis research, or other scholarly accomplishments

• Scientific writing experience and the potential to develop and pursue independent research questions

Applicants are not expected to have experience in every preferred area. Candidates with a strong research foundation, quantitative aptitude, and demonstrated ability to learn new methods are encouraged to apply.

Position and Funding Details

The successful candidate is expected to receive a graduate assistantship that includes:

• A tuition waiver

• Health insurance benefits

• A monthly stipend

Funding may be provided through a teaching assistantship, research assistantship, or a combination of the two, subject to university policies and the availability of funds. Students will be responsible for applicable student-initiated fees.

International students receiving a teaching assistantship must satisfy the University of Illinois English proficiency requirements for teaching assistants.

Continued funding is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress and successful fulfillment of assistantship responsibilities.

The desired start date is August 2027. Applicants must meet all PhD admission and eligibility requirements at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The formal university application deadline for Fall 2027 admission is January 15, 2027.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should email the following materials to:

Seoung Hoon Park, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Health and Kinesiology
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
shp@illinois.edu

Required Materials

1. A current curriculum vitae

2. A one-page cover letter addressing the following:

   • Your previous research experience

   • Your current research interests

   • Your relevant technical and programming skills

   • Your career goals

   • How your background and interests align with the MoNeL’s research

   • One research question related to motor control, motor learning, walking, balance, aging, or stroke that you may be interested in pursuing

3. Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts
   
   

Please combine all application materials into a single PDF file using the following filename:

LastName_FirstName_MoNeL2027.pdf

Please use the following email subject line:

Fall 2027 PhD Position | Last Name, First Name

Review of application materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For priority consideration, applicants should submit their materials by November 15, 2026.

Selected candidates will be invited to participate in an online interview and provided with guidance regarding the formal University of Illinois graduate application process.

Submission of materials directly to Dr. Park is an initial screening step and does not replace the formal application to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The formal application deadline for Fall 2027 admission is January 15, 2027.

Due to the anticipated volume of inquiries, only applicants whose qualifications and research interests closely align with this position may receive an individual response. Incomplete submissions or emails that do not follow the application instructions may not be reviewed.

About the University and Department

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, established in 1867, is a Carnegie R1 and Big Ten institution with a longstanding national and international reputation for excellence in research and education. The university is home to more than 50,000 students from the United States and countries around the world.

The Department of Health and Kinesiology advances knowledge related to health, rehabilitation, and human movement through interdisciplinary research, education, and engagement. Faculty maintain collaborations across campus with units such as the Center for Health, Aging, and Disability, the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services, the Chez Veterans Center, and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology.

Located in east-central Illinois, Urbana-Champaign is a diverse and affordable micro-urban community that combines the cultural opportunities of a larger metropolitan area with a comfortable quality of life. It is conveniently located between Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis and is served by a regional airport and Amtrak rail service.