Post-Doctoral Clinical Fellowship in Spatial Hearing at the University of Miami Ear Institute

Job Summary (Purpose and Function):

The postdoctoral clinical and research fellowship in spatial hearing is a post-externship training position in the Auditory Spatial Perception Laboratory in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Miami. The purpose of this position is to train motivated AuD, PhD, or AuD/PhD graduates as clinician-scientists. This position comprises research and clinical training in hearing implants with a primary focus on spatial hearing in impaired listeners.

The purpose of the postdoctoral fellowship is to provide early career audiologists with experience in clinical translational research. The fellowship supports exceptional individuals to develop a clinical academic research career through a period of postdoctoral training. Postdoctoral training will provide an advanced knowledge base for clinical methods in the evaluation and management of hearing-impaired persons through the provision of hearing implants. Trainees will spend a significant portion of the program working with leading clinical experts in hearing implants.  Clinical experience is enhanced by robust research experience to foster development of early-career professions on a clinician-scientist pathway. 

The postdoctoral fellow will work with an interdisciplinary team of experienced researchers in the fields of audiology, engineering, neurotology, and public health.  The candidate will participate in research studies investigating the effects of hearing loss and hearing implants on spatial hearing. Candidates are expected to have an AuD, PhD, or AuD/PhD in audiology.  Ideal candidates will have a strong research interest in hearing implant research and translational hearing science.  Foundational training and previous experience in hearing implants, binaural hearing, and speech perception is required. Prior research/lab experience is preferred.

The fellow will be expected to conduct him/herself as a Clinical Hearing Implant Audiologist. Accountabilities (For Non-exempt Employees Include Percent of Effort):

• Provides appropriate evaluation of auditory status in addition to amplification and implant candidacy
• Consults with implant team to identify candidacy.
• Conducts fitting, adjustment, troubleshooting and follow up evaluation for implant patients.
• Conducts appropriate evaluation of fitting, adjustment, verification, troubleshooting and follow up evaluation for patients utilizing amplification.
• Acts as an audiologist and participates in the scheduled Division and Faculty meetings.
• Educates audiology interns, audiology externs, clinical trainees, medical residents, medical fellows, community providers, and staff, on the principles of hearing implant services.
• Engages in scholarly activities not limited to research, academic presentations at scientific conferences, or publications.
• Contributes to the working environment of the department by maintaining the professional atmosphere of the department to include professional dress as outlined in the Human Resource Policy and Procedure Manual; maintaining proper decorum within the department; and assuring communication with employees, management and outside contacts are performed according to the standards of the organization with respect to customer service and by demonstrating a welcoming and helpful attitude.
• Prepares reports and documentation as required.
• Performs other duties as required and conforms with and abides by all policies and procedures. This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

Supervision Received: The Fellow will be a fully licensed audiologist seeking specialized training in the area of spatial hearing and hearing implants. As such, developing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes leading to proficiency in all the domains of clinical competency requires the fellow to assume personal responsibility for the care of individual patients. This and all patient services and interaction will occur under the guidance and supervision of faculty members who give value, context, and meaning to those interactions.

Supervision Exercised: As part of the training program, the fellow will facilitate clinical observerships and supervise student traineeships. Minimum Qualifications (Essential Requirements): Minimum qualifications include an AuD or PhD degree from an accredited university. This post-doctorate training is intended for candidates who have achieved this doctoral degree within the last

0-3 years. Candidates must have successfully completed audiology externship program including basic training in audiological services as they pertain to care including general diagnostics, amplification and cochlear implants. We expect that the fellow will enter with a sufficient foundation of diagnostic and management experience to allow for rapid acquisition of clinical technical skills. Florida state licensure or ability to obtain FL state licensure is required.