Research Physical Therapist - Neurology

Physical TherapistFull-Time

Listed compensation

$81k-$121k

Listing transparency2 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and weekend coverage.

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 3m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Department

SOM KC Neurology - Stroke

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Research in Exercise and Cardiovascular Health Laboratory

Position Title

Research Physical Therapist - Neurology

Job Family Group

Professional Staff

Job Description Summary

We are seeking a Research Physical Therapist within the Department of Neurology’s Research in Exercise and Cardiovascular Health Laboratory to support our growing research enterprise. The Research Physical Therapist will support multiple investigations including a multi-site trial studying physical activity and sleep during inpatient rehabilitation, and a NIH-funded trial on high intensity interval training after stroke. We have collaborative research projects with the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Hoglund Biomedical Imaging Center, the KU Stroke team, the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology.

This position will support opportunities for growth and mentorship for research, learning to write abstracts and deliver presentations, and disseminating our work at local, state, regional and national meetings. Opportunities for grant development and project planning are available.

Our team is at the forefront of clinical trials, exercise intervention trials and experimental physiology studies in stroke rehabilitation and recovery. We are recognized nationally and internationally for our innovative work in stroke recovery including our work on high intensity interval training to improve walking outcomes post-stroke. We have multiple research collaborations in aging and brain health. The Research in Exercise and Cardiovascular Health Laboratory is integrated into the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, which is a National Institute of Aging P30-designated national leader in Alzheimer’s disease research.

Job Description

  • Job Duties
  • Recruitment
  • Pre-screen potential participants eligibility for currently enrolling in studies.
  • Educate potential participants about the expectations and requirements of the study.

Scheduling

Assist the study coordinator with scheduling study visits.

Communicate with all parties involved, including the participant and caregiver (when applicable) as well as the entire study team.

  • Evaluation, data collection, and data entry
  • Collect participant information.
  • Follow protocols and execute standard operating procedures.

Assess and evaluate areas of functional impairment, such as the Fugl Meyer, modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and muscle strength.

  • Participate in study intervention delivery such as treadmill HIIT and study assessments.
  • Evaluate physical function of the lower and upper extremities including balance, walking, and reaching.
  • Oversee exercise intervention visits and assess vitals.
  • Participate in the collection of study data.
  • Assist the study coordinator in entering data into the electronic database (REDCap).

Collaborate with interdisciplinary and research team members to collect, analyze, interpret, and curate prospective and retrospective data.

  • Study Coordination
  • Participate in IRB submissions.
  • Collaborate with the study team for scheduling and screening.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree Physical Therapy.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations

Certifications/Licenses

Current Kansas Physical Therapist licensure or eligible.

Work Experience

  • Experience with medical terminology.
  • Experience reviewing medical records.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Clinical Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy.

Experience: Two (2) years of experience in stroke or neurorehabilitation.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Time management
  • Attention to detail
  • Required Documents
  • Resume/CV
  • Cover letter

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan. Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available. Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays. One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment. A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available. https://www.kumc.edu/human-resources/benefits.html

Employee Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

Rate Type

Salary

Compensation Statement

The pay range listed for this position is determined by our compensation program using market data and salary benchmarking. A combination of factors is considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, education, experience and training, qualifications relative to the requirements of the position, and funding. At the University of Kansas Medical Center, a reasonable estimate for the starting pay range will be the minimum to midpoint of the posted range, taking into account the combination of factors listed above.

Pay Range

  • $80,600.00 - $120,900.00
  • Minimum
  • $80,600.00
  • Midpoint
  • $100,800.00
  • Maximum
  • $120,900.00

Key Responsibilities

The Research Physical Therapist will support clinical trials and exercise intervention studies by recruiting participants, collecting data, and performing functional assessments. They will also collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to manage study protocols, enter data, and assist with IRB submissions.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy and possess or be eligible for a Kansas Physical Therapist license. Preferred qualifications include a Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy and two years of experience in stroke or neurorehabilitation.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Patient recruitmentMedical record reviewFugl Meyer assessment

Neurology — Physical Therapist Career Context

Of the 50 active Physical Therapist listings this role was benchmarked against, 2% are remote, 50% have no call, 82% require no weekends.

Physical Therapist pay on WeekdayDoc is down 4.6% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Missouri is 90.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$101k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $111k in an average-cost state. 60.1% of Missouri clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks35 jobs · 23 employers

401k / retirement match
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Sign-on bonus
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CME allowance
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Loan repayment
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Relocation assistance
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Work-life snapshot

3.0/ 10
Listing-based score

Living in Kansas City

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$251k
Typical market rent
$1,428/mo
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
92.5
State income tax
Up to 5.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026).

BEA 2024 · Kansas City, MO-KS metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

University of Kansas Medical Center logo

About University of Kansas Medical Center

Hospitals and Health Care
Kansas City, KS
5,001-10,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Health Insurance (day one)
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Health Expense Accounts
Employer-paid Life Insurance
Long-term Disability Insurance
Paid Time Off (vacation and sick)
10 Paid Holidays