Author: Julie

Assistant Professor position in the field of neural network plasticity and integrative neuroscience – Université de Montréal

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Faculty of Dental Medicine/ Department of Stomatology

Description of the position

The Department of Stomatology of the Faculty of Dental Medicine of Université de Montréal invites applications for an assistant professor in the field of neural network plasticity and integrative neuroscience. The ideal candidate will combine electrophysiology and molecular approaches and/or viral vectors, with novel optical techniques or high-resolution structural imaging, to explore cellular functions or neuronal networks in vitro and/or in vivo, associated for instance with orofacial neurophysiology or chronic pain.
Taking advantage of a partnership established with the Faculty of Medicine and support from the CNS Research Group, the candidate will hold a secondary appointment at the Department of Neuroscience of the Faculty of Medicine, and will integrate a dynamic group of researchers active in the fields of neural network plasticity and learning with strong expertise in cell mechanisms of memory, neuron-glia interactions, and motor control, investigated in normal and pathological systems.

Functions

  • Teaching in undergraduate and postgraduate programs
  • Supervision of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows
  • Establishing and pursuing a dynamic and competitive research program of international caliber
  • Submitting research grant applications to major funding organizations
  • Contributing to the academic life and administration of both departments
  • National and international visibility in the professional and scientific community

Requirements

  • Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in Neuroscience or in a related discipline obtained within the last 9 years
  • Postdoctoral fellowship must be completed by the date of entry in function
  • Expertise in the fields of neuroplasticity and integrative neuroscience, with a strong experience in cell biology and structural imaging
  • Demonstrated interest in the study of the molecular mechanisms of normal cell functions and disease states; applicability of the research program to the areas of orofacial neurophysiology or chronic pain will be considered an asset
  • The language of instruction at the Université de Montréal is French; the selected candidate must be sufficiently proficient in spoken and written French, or be determined to become proficient within the first three years and according to the linguistic policy of the University

Information on the position

Posting No FMD 09-18 / 2
Application deadline:
November 30, 2018

Salary:
Université de Montréal offers competitive salaries coupled with an advantageous package of fringe benefits

Start Date
On or around March 1st, 2019

Contact

Interested candidates must send a letter of interest, complete CV, a detailed research plan, as well as three letters of support to be submitted separately by the referees, preferably in electronic format to:

Dr. Antonio Nanci, Chair
Department of Stomatology
Faculty of Dental Medicine
Université de Montréal
P.O. Box 6128, Succ. Centre-ville
Montreal (Quebec) H3C 3J7 Canada
email: antonio.nanci@umontreal.ca

Linguistic Policy

The Université de Montréal is a Québec university with an international reputation. French is the language of instruction. To renew its teaching faculty, the University is intensively recruiting the world’s best specialists. In accordance with the institution’s language policy [http://www.direction.umontreal.ca/secgen/recueil/politique_linguistique.html], the Université de Montréal provides support for newly-recruited faculty to attain proficiency in French.

Confidentiality

The Université de Montréal application process allows all regular professors in the Department to have access to all documents unless the applicant explicitly states in her or his cover letter that access to the application should be limited to the selection committee. This restriction on accessibility will be lifted if the applicant is invited for an interview.

Employment Equity Program

The Université de Montréal upholds the principles of employment equity and welcomes applications from women, ethnic and visible minorities, aboriginals and people with disabilities. Applicants who belong to one of these groups are asked to complete the employment equity identification questionnaire posted at http://www.drh.umontreal.ca/documents/bpe/bpe_paee/formulaire_PAEE_bpe.pdf , and attach it to their application.

Immigration Requirements

In compliance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority shall be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Faire carrière à l’UdeM : aider la société, relever des défis et être considéré

Posting end date: November 30, 2018

Concussions loosen insulation around brain cells

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Alex Rauscher
Alex Rauscher

Researchers say the findings provide a convincing reason to keep concussed athletes on the bench even if they no longer exhibit any symptoms.

Detailed scans of concussed University of British Columbia hockey players found that the protective fatty tissue surrounding brain cell fibres was loosened two weeks after the injury—even though the athletes felt fine and were deemed ready to return to the ice. Continue reading →

Research Assistant – Quandt lab – University of British Columbia

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We have a position in our laboratory for a research assistant with funding for up to three years. The UBC posting can be found at: www.staffcareers.ubc.ca/31013

Interested applicants are invited to review our website for more information.

www.quandtlab.com

Training & expectations: Major areas of focus will include inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress, environmental stressors, immune populations, neurodegeneration and repair. The successful candidate will have a solid understanding and demonstrated proficiency in several of the following and others will be provided on the job:

  • Cell culture and aseptic technique, preferably involving both isolation and maintenance of rodent primary cultures as well as cell lines.
  • Aseptic technique and experience with human blood handling for the isolation of PBMC and subsequent culture/assay
  • Ability to perform and troubleshoot a wide variety of molecular and cellular biology techniques, including many of the following:
    RNA/DNA isolation, quantitative PCR, transfection, siRNA knockdown and cDNA construct knockin, flow cytometry, immunohisto- and cytochemistry on cells as well as frozen and formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissues, fluorescence and light microscopy – conventional and/or confocal; ELISA, protein isolation and western blotting;
  • Willingness to work with small rodents is essential. Able to carry out and oversee procedures involving small rodents including immunization/injections, necropsy, blood sampling, and minor surgical procedures involved in animal surgery; applicants with experience in pre-clinical models of neurodegenerative diseases including MS are especially encouraged to apply.
  • Maintenance/monitoring of colonies of transgenic animals, including colony breeding, screening and management.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication
  • Understanding of experimental design and assay optimization is important along with ability to work well with others and to work independently.

The link between obesity, the brain, and genetics

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Alain Dagher
Dr. Alain Dagher

When it comes to weight gain, the problem may be mostly in our heads, and our genes

Clinicians should consider how the way we think can make us vulnerable to obesity, and how obesity is genetically intertwined with brain structure and mental performance, according to new research.

The study, led by researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on Aug. 28, 2018, was an examination of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cognitive test data from 1,200 individuals, supplied as part of the Human Connectome Project. Continue reading →

Congratulations to newly elected fellows of the Royal Society of Canada, and to the incoming class of the college of new scientists

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The Royal Society of Canada has recently announced new Fellows in the Academies of Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Science.  They have been elected by their peers for their outstanding scholarly, scientific and artistic achievement. Recognition by the RSC is the highest honour an individual can achieve in the Arts, Social Sciences and Sciences.

The RSC also welcomed new Members of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists, that include top mid-career leaders in Canada. The College provides the RSC with a multigenerational capacity to help Canada and the world address major challenges and seize new opportunities including those identified in emerging fields. Continue reading →

Genetic model offers elegant tool for testing Parkinson’s disease therapies

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Matthew Farrer
Matthew Farrer

For the past decade, Parkinson’s disease researchers have relied on the experimental equivalent of using a sledgehammer to tune a guitar to test new therapies for the disease. This may be a reason clinical trials of promising neuroprotective drugs fail. But, in new research published today in Nature Parkinson’s Disease, researchers at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH) may have found the ideal tool for the job.

“We believe we’ve found an approach that is most relevant to humans, in that our models of gene dysfunction mimic the etiology of Parkinson’s disease rather than its pathology— meaning its beginning rather than its end,” says Dr. Matthew Farrer, the study’s lead investigator and a researcher at the Centre for Applied Neurogenetics at DMCBH. “This means we’re looking at the disease before it becomes symptomatic, before it begins affecting an individual’s motor skills or cognition.” Continue reading →

Scientist denied visas to attend next SfN meeting

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Individual members of the Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN) have alerted us to the fact that a number of scientists across Canada are being denied visas to enter the United States to attend the next annual Society for Neuroscience meeting in San Diego. Many are students and postdoctoral fellows who have left their home countries to dedicate their energy and talents to research into devastating brain and mental health conditions that afflict millions worldwide. CAN takes the position that the exchange of ideas cannot be limited by political boundaries. To do so severely compromises the ability of the scientific enterprise to develop new ideas and advance humanity. Scientists must have the ability to travel freely to discuss their work and interact with colleagues across the globe. Continue reading →

Field Scientist: Neuroscience Specialist – Mightex Systems – Toronto

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Overview

Mightex Systems, is a market leader in developing and producing photonic systems for life science research. Our most recent innovation, the OASIS Implant, is an all-optical system for cellular resolution optogenetics and calcium imaging in freely-behaving animals, a ground-breaking tool that will enable neuroscientists to make new discoveries about how the brain works.

The successful candidate will be responsible for providing post-sales support to our customers using the OASIS Implant. The type of support provided will include biological and surgical guidance, overall experimental design, technical training and troubleshooting, as well as data analysis. The candidate will be required to provide support both remotely and in person by periodically travelling to customer sites. They will also be required to contribute their expertise during the pre-sales stages to help customers determine how to apply Mightex solutions to their research goals. If you are a self-motivated neuroscientist who is interested in cutting-edge technology and in contributing to the advancement of neuroscience and brain research, this is an exciting opportunity for you.

Responsibilities

  • Provide hands-on scientific and technical support for neuroscience labs with Mightex equipment from experimental preparation to implementation
  • Organize and conduct training sessions
  • Assist with drafting new scientific and technical support resources that are provided to customers
  • Track progress of assigned customer cases
  • Report customer challenges and new experimental requirements to the Product Development team
  • Support sales team members when scientific expertise is required for a customer case.
  • Flexibility to be able to handle some new incoming sales inquiries when required.
  • Participate in international trade shows, seminars, and roadshows.

Qualifications & Skills:

  • Ph.D. in Neuroscience
  • Previous experience with in vivo calcium imaging and optogenetics in rodents. Expertise with viral transfections (e.g., GCaMP) and GRIN lens implantation is a must
  • Previous experience with head-mounted miniature microscopes is an asset
  • Strong analytical and hands-on skills are essential to provide accurate and quality customer training and guidance
  • Excellent teamwork skills and able to collaborate effectively across multiple departments
  • Delivers a positive customer experience; listens to and understands the customer’s needs and recommends solutions
  • Demonstrates sound professional judgment in analysing, responding to, and resolving enquiries
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to travel domestically or internationally to customer sites
  • Legally able and cleared to work in Canada

How to Apply

Please send your resume to hr1@mightex.com.