Position Title: Clinical Research Fellow
Positions: 3
Duration: 1 year
Who: US medical students or graduates interested in Orthopedic Surgery. Only USA MD students will be considered!
Where: Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush University Medical Center, Division of Sports Medicine, Chicago, IL.
When: Beginning April, 2026
Salary: A monthly stipend is provided.

This research position places you as the research coordinator for a busy research group. In this position, you will be expected to manage all ongoing clinical side of research projects and manage the research process in the clinic. The permanent research staff will handle the regulatory side of the research, communication with the IRB, study budget and financials.

The attending physicians encourage research fellows to propose ideas and design their own projects. A major goal of this fellowship is to help students become more independent researchers who are in-tune to the major issues facing orthopedic surgeons today.

Current Areas of Active Research:

  • -Return to Sport and Return to Play
  • -Biological Therapies (BMAC, PRP, amniotic products, etc.)
  • -Scaffolds and Implants
  • -Patient Reported Outcomes
  • -Database Studies: Health Claims and National Registry Databases
  • -Procedure-Specific Outcomes and Complications
  • -Biomechanical Studies pertaining to the shoulder/knee
  • -Trends in Surgical Management
  • -Neurosensory feedback for Sports Performance and Rehabilitation
  • -Machine Learning Models for Predicting Surgical Outcomes
  • -Video-Based Surgical Technique Papers

Specific Prerequisites and Characteristics of a Successful Future Research Fellow:

  • -Organized, detail-oriented, proactive, self-starter and finisher
  • -Strong motivation for a career in orthopaedic surgery, with proven research interest
  • -Strong academic record
  • -Strong work ethic
  • -Strong communication and writing skills
  • -Strong interest in conducting biomechanical studies, coordinating randomized clinical trials, and conducting database research
  • -Desire to become proficient in data analysis and utilize statistical principles
  • -A coding background in R is not required, but will be invaluable in executing research methodology
  • -All research fellows are expected/encouraged to learn how to conduct statistical analyses
  • -Desire to learn basic video-editing skills

Benefits of the Position:

  • -You are expected to publish 20-50 publications/chapters/abstracts at conclusion of research year
  • -Bolstering competitiveness for a position in an orthopaedic surgery residency
  • -Collaboration with Sports Medicine Fellows, Residents, and other sports Attendings
  • -Opportunities to observe surgical procedures
  • -Ample opportunities to attend Orthopaedic Grand Rounds, Sports Conferences, Journal Clubs, and Cadaver Labs
  • -Opportunities to present research at Orthopaedic Conferences

  • -Dr. Verma and Dr. Chahla expect all applicants to be able to match into Orthopedic Surgery and will help the candidate during the match process.

Interested candidates should send a brief Cover Letter, CV, USMLE step I and/or II scores, and expected starting date to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

 Instagram: @nikhilvermamd and @chicagosportsdoc

The application deadline has been extended until the end of March, 2026. However, please note applicants will be contacted for a video interview on a rolling basis as applications are received.

Thank you for your interest!