[FILLED] 2026-27 University of South Carolina Orthopaedic Surgery Research Fellowship
The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and Prisma Health Midlands invites U.S. medical students and unmatched orthopaedic applicants to apply for this one-year orthopaedic research fellowship. Working under J. Benjamin Jackson III, MD, MBA, Director of Orthopedic Research, fellows gain mentorship, application guidance, clinical experience, and access to a grant-funded research program with a strong record of peer-reviewed publications and national presentations. Fellows also work closely with Dr Harley Davis, PhD, MSPH, who is the Orthopaedic Research Manager and in-house statistician.
The fellowship is structured to provide meaningful academic productivity while allowing the fellow to take substantial ownership of projects from concept through publication. The fellow will work closely with orthopaedic faculty and residents in an active research environment with ongoing studies across several subspecialties. Previous research fellows have submitted 20-30 manuscripts and successfully matched into orthopaedic surgery residency programs. The fellowship is designed to strengthen applicants’ academic profiles while providing mentorship and exposure to the field.
Position Orthopaedic Surgery Research Fellow
Duration: 1 year
Start Date: Summer 2026 (flexible)
Location: Prisma Health Midlands/University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina
CompensationThis is a paid research fellowship. Compensation is provided as fixed stipend with eligibility for institutional employee benefits including:
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
Research Environment
The fellow will predominantly participate in Foot and Ankle research, but they will also have opportunities across several orthopaedic subspecialties, including spine, sports, trauma, arthroplasty, and pediatrics. Projects include clinical outcomes research, large database studies, prospective clinical studies, and systematic reviews.The department maintains an active pipeline of projects at multiple stages of development, allowing fellows to contribute immediately while also developing independent research initiatives throughout the year. Fellows are expected to take an active role in study design, literature review, data collection, and manuscript preparation.Through institutional data-sharing agreements with other organizations and numerous research consortia led by our orthopaedic faculty, fellows can engage in large-scale database studies and multi-center projects.
Goals and Opportunities of the Fellowship
- Lead and contribute to peer-reviewed orthopaedic research projects
- Submit abstracts to regional and national orthopaedic meetings
- Paid travel for poster and podium presentations
- Gain experience with study design, data analysis, and manuscript preparation
- Receive faculty mentorship and letters of recommendation for residency applications
- Attend orthopaedic grand rounds, subspecialty conferences, journal clubs, and resident education conferences
- Opportunities to observe clinical care and operative cases
Qualifications
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Strong interest in orthopaedic surgery
- Initiative and ability to work independently on research projects
- Strong organizational skills and work ethic
- Prior research experience preferred but not required
Medical students planning a dedicated research year between third and fourth year or prior to reapplying to orthopaedic residency are encouraged to apply.
Application Materials
- Curriculum Vitae
- Brief statement of interest
- Optional: Letter of Recommendation, writing example
Contact
Applications and inquiries may be sent to:
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Format for email subject: “
Research Fellowship 26-27 – Last Name, First Name”
