We are conducting a search to find scientists as part of planned growth in the Center for Childhood, Deafness, Learning and Language, Institute for Human Neuroscience, and Center for Hearing Research. Our centers focus on hearing and vestibular disorders, cognitive neuroscience, and speech and language development and disorders. Excellent translational science is our priority, whatever the specialty.

We have three research faculty ranks that roughly align to the academic ranks of assistant professor (Scientist I), associate professor (Scientist II), and full professor (Scientist III).

Obviously we say, NO, quite the opposite! A job at Boys Town carries similar research expectations as traditional academic positions, and no teaching expectations. Although we do not offer tenure, the support you receive to meet those expectations far exceeds those offered at most R1s. Scientists at Boys Town National Research Hospital aim to cover at least 50% of their salaries and contribute to the costs of running their labs by securing external funding. A Scientist I has three years of full support to make progress towards that goal. Success at all ranks is enabled by an excellent infrastructure including a grants office,  research technology core, IT services, clinical measurement core, and community engagement and recruitment core, research and statistical software packages, media support staff and media resources, and library services. All scientists may recruit participants from a registry of over 10,000 volunteers of all ages and via IRB-approved hospital record pulls. Collaboration is the norm; thus, many scientists have a grant of their own but also receive support as co-Investigators on other grants. Bridge funds are available for the inevitable lulls in funding. And did we mention that you DO NOT TEACH? In short:

• You will not have to cover your full salary.
• There are excellent supports to ensure that you can cover half and maintain a productive lab.
• You will have plenty of time to conduct your research.

If you love giving classroom lectures multiple times per week and grading exams and essays, this might not be the place for you. But if you enjoy teaching and mentoring in general, please consider joining us. You will have frequent opportunities to mentor your lab staff—and area university students are often part of that staff—and to mentor junior colleagues. You may participate as a mentor in our funded programs for postdoctoral fellows and graduate students who visit in the summers for externships. And if you still want a classroom experience, we will help you to arrange adjunct positions in nearby institutions that include Creighton University, University of Nebraska Medical College, and University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Scientists at Boys Town National Research Hospital are part of a rich and growing intellectual community. We are 42 scientists who specialize in speech, language and hearing development, communication disorders, human neuroscience, sensory neuroscience and genetics, and child and family health. Varied perspectives, methodological approaches, and skill sets enrich our research programs as we address questions about translational research together. Across labs, we currently have 16 million dollars (direct costs) in external funding. The culture of a department and institution can have a large impact on job success and happiness; thus, the directors of the research centers are dedicated to maintaining a culture of support, open discussion, and collaboration among research scientists from the junior to the senior level.  Research labs exist alongside clinical and educational programs that serve individuals with developmental disorders that compromise speech, language, hearing, learning, attention, movement and emotional-behavioral health. Synergy between research centers and between research and clinical-educational programs fosters excellence in translational science and service provision. Journal groups and weekly science talks ensure the sharing of ideas. Our community extends beyond the doors of Boys Town National Research Hospital via collaborations with university colleagues and a visiting scientist program.

We expect research scientists to apply for extramural grants, manage their lab staff, conduct programmatic research, and disseminate findings. Research scientist positions at Boys Town National Research Hospital are very similar to tenure track faculty positions with one exception – no teaching. While most universities and medical centers expect research faculty to cover their salary at 100% on external grants, Boys Town expects 50% salary coverage from extramural funding

Boys Town National Research Hospital is a nonprofit organization whose mission centers around conducting translational research in areas that impact child development and well being. While there are no  student advising or college governance/administrative duties,  there are internal and external service expectations.  These are estimated to require between 5 and  15 percent of your time, depending on career stage. For example, research scientists may serve on the T32 research training council which oversees the postdoctoral experience at Boys Town National Research Hospital or they may serve as a mentor to a junior colleague. As in any academic department, research scientists conduct peer-review, serve on study sections and editorial boards, and serve their profession in other ways. We also perform community service by giving free guest lectures or conducting workshops for the broader community.

Most labs are staffed by paid employees. Some of the labs employ students from the University of Nebraska – Omaha (UNO) or Creighton University. Many of the labs hire staff from the community. Additionally, audiology and/or speech-language pathology clinical staff may be involved in research. Volunteers occasionally work  in labs as well. Critically, lab staff are highly valued. At some institutions, researchers lose experienced lab staff in lapses between grant funding, wasting valuable time in re-hiring and re-training. To retain experienced lab staff in the institution, Boys Town provides generous bridge funding and, when needed, re-allocates staff effort across projects.

You should anticipate pay, benefits, and perks that are equivalent to or better than what you will find in academia.

• Competitive Salary
• Bonuses for those who cover 50% or more of their salary via external funds
• Yearly merit raises
• Office and lab space
• Startup funds
• Moving expenses
• Access to all support infrastructure at low or no cost (e.g., library services are free. If you need specialized or extensive support from a Core service you would include some salary coverage in your grant applications for that purpose)
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Sick pay
• Long-term disability
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Flexible spending accounts
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Employee assistance program

Boys Town is committed to fostering an environment of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Boys Town offers a plethora of training opportunities and resources around issues of DEI. Employee Resource Groups are safe places for sharing concerns and engaging in personal and professional development. These are the Asian Pacific American Connection, the Boys Town Employees Living Intentionally Enlivened Faith, Boys Town Emerging Leaders, Black Organization for Leadership Development, Employee Assistance and Resource Network for Disability Inclusion, Latinx Organization Understanding Diversity, Parents and Caregivers Together, LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, Valued Allies in Leadership, Outreach and Resources, and the Women’s Inclusion Network. We also take health care and research opportunities on the road to ensure inclusion of patients and participants from rural communities or those who lack transportation to get to Boys Town.

We are located on two campuses. Boys Town National Research Hospital-East is located on N. 30th St. The hospital holds out-patient clinics as well as the labs for our researchers. The Lied Learning and Technology Center is next door. There you will find offices for all CCDLL researchers and other faculty, a speech-language clinic, a preschool program for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and meeting spaces. The village of Boys Town, NE (a suburb of Omaha) comprises the west campus. The campus includes hospitals, schools and homes for the youth in the residential program (trauma-informed care for children with emotional or behavioral disorders), speech-language and physical therapy clinics, gym, sports fields, chapel, and post office. The Institute for Human Neuroscience is located on the west campus. It houses state-of-the-art neuroimaging technology available for BTNRH scientists.

Omaha is located on the banks of the Missouri River in the Midwest of the United States. The city proper has a population of 500,000 and a population of almost 1 million if you include the surrounding suburbs. It offers some of the perks of a big city (airport, universities, parks, zoo, botanic garden, museums, art galleries, restaurants, cafes, and pubs, street festivals) without some of the disadvantages (traffic congestion, high cost of living). Homes remain affordable and there are many historic neighborhoods to choose from. Health care and educational offerings are excellent, making Omaha a great place to raise a family. The weather is, well dynamic, but if you enjoy seasonal changes, this is a fine place to be.

We will review applications when they are received. We will continue to accept applications until the positions are filled.

We require a CV, a research statement, and a list of 3 references. You will not need to request letters from your referees unless you are short-listed for an interview.

The campus interview involves a 2-day (typically 1-night) visit to Omaha, NE, where Boys Town National Research Hospital is located. Your expenses will be covered. You will stay at a nearby hotel. You will give a research talk to research and clinical staff. You will have one-on-one meetings with researchers at the Boys Town National Research Hospital, all of whom are involved in the search. You will also have meetings, some of which will include meals, with researchers and postdoctoral associates from other centers, who collaborate with our scientists. You will meet with the Center Director for the area you are applying and the Vice President of Research, Dr. Ryan McCreery, and potentially other members of the hospital administration.