2025-2026 University of Virginia Spine Research Fellowship

The University of Virginia Orthopaedic Surgery Department is accepting applications for a paid Spine Fellowship position for 2025-2026. The goal of the research fellowship is to mentor medical students interested in orthopaedic surgery.

University of Virginia - Spine Research Fellowship

Location: University of Virginia: Charlottesville, Virginia

Mentors: Dr. Steve Lockey, Dr. Joshua Li ( www.li-spine.com )

Interested research fellows will have the following minimum expectations:

• Currently in a medical school in USA.
• Work full-time in the Spine Division.
• Participate in the planning, protocol development, IRB approval, data collection, data analysis, manuscript preparation, manuscript and abstract submission of prospective and retrospective clinical research
• Assist with ongoing clinical trials
• Assist maintaining and supporting current research projects
• The research fellow will be supervised by Drs. Lockey and Li, and will have the opportunity to take part in educational activities available through the department, such as daily resident conferences and journal clubs. Fellows will also have the opportunity to shadow in the clinic and operating room, and gain valuable clinical experience. Applicants with experience in statistics (running, managing, interpreting) are preferred/given further consideration; however, this is not mandatory. 

Number of Positions Available: 2

Duration: 1 year starting mid-May 2024, but some flexibility in start date is possible.

Stipend: $33,600 per year

Application Instructions

Complete an application via email, and attach:

• A cover letter,
• CV/resume,
• Contact information for three references (name, email address, telephone number, and address).
• Optional: letter of recommendation (preferably from an Orthopaedic faculty member from your institution),

For further information about the position, please contact Joshua Li, M.D., Ph.D. at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Steve Lockey, M.D., MBA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Stephen D. Lockey, MD, MBA

Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

Division of Spine Surgery

University of Virginia Health

Appointments: 434-243-3663, Option 1

www.uvaortho.com/lockey

Xudong Joshua Li, M.D., Ph.D.

Vice Chair for Research 

Director, Spine Fellowship 

Mary M. Stamp Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery 

Professor of Biomedical Engineering 

University of Virginia

www.li-spine.com