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National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine: Career Opportunities for 2026

The National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine stands as a premier federal facility dedicated to pioneering advanced patient care, cutting-edge research, and specialized education in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Our campus, located on a 20-acre site with state-of-the-art therapeutic pools and gait labs, is more than a hospital; it is a national resource for restoring function and improving quality of life for individuals with disabilities. As we look toward 2026, our strategic expansion into neuromodulation and regenerative rehabilitation therapies is creating a significant wave of new employment opportunities. We are actively building interdisciplinary teams to support these initiatives, marking one of the most substantial periods of hiring and professional growth in the Institute's recent history.

Our 2026 career plans are directly tied to the launch of two new clinical wings and the expansion of our spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury research programs. This growth translates into immediate and projected vacancies across clinical, research, and administrative domains. We are seeking dedicated professionals who are passionate about contributing to a mission-driven environment where their work has a direct impact on national health outcomes. The National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine jobs being created are designed to foster long-term careers, with structured mentorship, continuous learning pathways, and opportunities to contribute to federally-funded studies that set the standard for rehabilitation medicine worldwide.

Current Job Vacancies and Open Positions

We are currently recruiting for a range of specialized positions to join our teams by the second quarter of 2026. Key clinical vacancies include Staff Physiatrists with sub-specialty interests in pain management or pediatric rehabilitation, Clinical Neuropsychologists to support our cognitive rehabilitation unit, and a Lead Speech-Language Pathologist for our augmentative communication program. In the research domain, we have openings for a Biostatistician to support outcome measure analysis and several Postdoctoral Fellows in neuroplasticity. Furthermore, we are hiring for critical roles in biomedical engineering to maintain our advanced assistive technology center and in health informatics to optimize our patient data systems. These National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine careers offer competitive federal benefits packages and the unique opportunity to work with a diverse patient population.

Each open position at the Institute is crafted to address specific gaps in our service and research continuum. For example, the new Rehabilitation Engineer role will directly support our vocational rehabilitation program, customizing workplace technology for patients returning to employment. Similarly, our new Clinical Research Coordinator vacancies are focused on managing multi-site trials for next-generation prosthetic interfaces. We encourage prospective candidates to review the detailed qualifications for each role, as many require specific certifications or experience working within a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)-accredited setting. The application process for these employment opportunities is managed through the official federal hiring portal, and our human resources team conducts rolling interviews to fill positions efficiently.

Why Build Your Career With Us?

Choosing a career at the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine means embedding yourself in an ecosystem where innovation in patient care is daily practice. Our professionals utilize technologies like robotic exoskeletons and virtual reality integration long before they become standard in community settings. Beyond the tools, you will collaborate daily with a multidisciplinary team that includes world-renowned physicians, therapists, and scientists, all focused on a unified patient-centered mission. The professional development here is unparalleled, with funding for advanced certifications, attendance at international conferences like the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, and clear pathways for clinical and research advancement within the federal system.

The culture and benefits extend far beyond the clinical and research milestones. As a federal employee, you will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes robust health insurance, a defined-benefit pension plan under the Federal Employees Retirement System, and generous leave accruals. Our campus features an on-site childcare center, a wellness gym for staff, and dedicated quiet rooms for respite. More importantly, you will experience the profound professional satisfaction that comes from contributing to groundbreaking work, whether you are directly at a patient's bedside, analyzing data in our labs, or