Hearing Scientist

The Center for Hearing Research at Boys Town National Research Hospital (BTNRH) in Omaha NE invites applications for an open-rank faculty position (Research Scientist I/II/III – equivalent to Assistant/Associate/Full Professor). We welcome applicants from any area of human auditory or vestibular science–broadly defined–although applicants with research expertise in computational modeling, signal processing, or machine learning are particularly encouraged.
The successful candidate will have a Ph.D., or equivalent, in audiology, hearing science, psychology, biomedical engineering, or related field. Candidates should also have a strong publication record and a demonstrated ability to generate extramural funding commensurate with their career stage. Applicants should have the ability and interest to mentor pre- and postdoctoral trainees through our NIH-supported T35 and T32 programs. For appointment to a higher rank, the ideal candidate will have a nationally recognized program of research with strong evidence of funding, productivity, and successful mentoring of junior scientists.

BTNRH offers nationally competitive salaries and generous startup support, alongside world-class institutional resources for research participant recruitment and evaluation, technology development, audiovisual, anechoic, and mobile research facilities, high-performance computing, and neuroimaging modalities including MEG, EEG, OPM, fNIRS, and fMRI. The Center for Hearing Research offers a vibrant community of 14 faculty researchers and close collaborative connections to the BTNRH Center for Childhood Deafness, Language, and Learning, the Institute for Human Neuroscience, and the Richard J. Bellucci Translational Hearing Center at nearby Creighton University. Together, these define Omaha’s role as a national research leader in adult and pediatric communication disorders.

The Omaha metro area is a rapidly growing cosmopolitan community of over a million people, home to Fortune 500 companies such as Berkshire Hathaway, Union Pacific, and Mutual of Omaha, with a burgeoning healthcare industry and reasonable cost of living. The city also has a disproportionally large and vibrant academic research community, being home to two large medical schools, multiple universities, and several research institutes. Omaha offers extensive music, arts, and dining scenes as well as outdoor activities such as cycling, camping, and boating. Omaha hosts the yearly NCAA Men’s College World Series, five professional sports teams, and the Henry Doorly Zoo–widely considered among the top 10 in the world. With minimal traffic, affordable housing, and 214 annual days of sunshine, Omaha is frequently rated as one of the best cities to live in the United States.

Interested applicants should submit a letter detailing current research interests, a list of the applicant’s five most important publications, and a curriculum vitae to the Search Committee Chair, Chris Stecker ([email protected]). Contact information for three references will be requested at a later time.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with special consideration to those received before our priority deadline of Dec 1, 2026.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Works directly in the laboratory to implement the research program, collects data, develops new procedures, and in other ways ensures success of the program.

• Achieves a sustained level of obtaining independent, external research funding from government agencies such as NIH and/or other funding agencies. Consistently aids in the preparation of grant proposals and contributes sections to proposals being submitted by other members of the research faculty.

• Leads BTNRH training programs by coordinating or making presentations as part of core courses, working with graduate fellows and summer interns, and supervising graduate students and/or postdoctoral fellows where appropriate.

• Publishes research results in refereed journals and makes presentations at national meetings.

• Provides mentorship to early-career scientists within and outside of the BTNRH research program.

• Recruits and supervises research assistant(s) or other staff supported by non-BTNRH funds to facilitate research progress.

• Collaborates with other members of the research faculty on research problems of mutual interest.

• Contributes to the national research effort in the field of interest through reviews of manuscripts and grant proposals, helping to organize national meetings, and service on committees of national organizations.

• Serves on and leads appropriate BTNRH committees, assists in annual budget preparation, and performs other administrative functions as requested by the Director of Research Center and the Director of Research.

• Other Duties: This job description incorporates the essential functions and duties required for this position. However, other duties may be required and assigned at times and as determined by a supervisor in order to meet the needs of the organization.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Apply skills necessary to implement and maintain a research program that has national impact.

• Apply comprehensive knowledge of the relevant literature and skill and experience with research procedures related to language science, child development, speech perception, auditory development, or relative disciplines, including knowledge of relevant research procedures.

• Apply knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and computer applications appropriate for the field of interest.

• Communicate concisely, both orally and in writing.

• Work well with other professional personnel and with support staff.

• Provide research training for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows as well as to train, supervise, and evaluate research assistants and technicians.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education and experience equivalent to that of a faculty member at a research university, including a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in neuroscience, psychology, engineering or a related discipline, including work in one or more major laboratories where research was performed relevant to the current research program required.

• Demonstrated the potential for success in development of a research program with national impact, as indicated by a significant record of publication in refereed journals and presentations at national meetings, commensurate with the number of years (i.e. generally 14+ years) since a doctoral degree was received required.

• Recognition in the form of invited presentations and publications, and other honors and awards required.

• Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) certification within 30 days of transfer or hire required.

• Other Duties: This job description incorporates the essential functions and duties required for this position. However, other duties may be required and assigned at times and as determined by a supervisor in order to meet the needs of the organization.

• Serves as a role model in carrying out activities and behaviors that reflect the values and principles of the Boys Town mission.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, EQUIPMENT USAGE, WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Position is relatively sedentary in a normal office administrative environment involving minimum exposure to physical risks.  Will use office equipment such as a computer/laptop, monitor, keyboard, and a general workstation set-up. Occasionally subject to hazards such as moving mechanical parts or electrical current.

Care and respect for others is more than a commitment at Boys Town – it is the foundation of who we are and what we do.

At Boys Town, we cultivate a culture of belonging for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences enable us to be a better team – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better business results.

About Boys Town:

Boys Town has been changing the way America cares for children and families since 1917. With over a century of service, our employees have helped us grow from a small boardinghouse in downtown Omaha, Nebraska, into one of the largest national child and family care organizations in the country. With the addition of Boys Town National Research Hospital in 1977, our services branched out into the health care and research fields, offering even more career opportunities to those looking to make a real difference.

Our employees are our #1 supporters when it comes to achieving Boys Town's mission, which is why we are proud of their commitment to making the world a better place for children, families, patients, and communities.  A unique feature for employees and their dependents enrolled in medical benefits are reduced to no cost visits for services performed by a Boys Town provider at a Boys Town location.  Additional costs savings for the employee and their dependents are found in our pharmacy benefits with low to zero-dollar co-pays on certain maintenance drugs.   Boys Town takes your mental health seriously with no cost mental health visits to an in-network provider.  We help our employees prepare for retirement with a generous match on their 401K or 401K Roth account. Additional benefits include tuition reimbursement, parenting resources from our experts and professional development opportunities within the organization, just to name a few. Working at Boys Town is more than just a job, it is a way of life.

This advertisement describes the general nature of work to be performed and does not include an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, or abilities required. Boys Town is an equal employment opportunity employer and participates in the E-Verify program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. To request a disability-related accommodation in the application process, contact us at 1-877-639-6003.