Visuomotor Neuroscience of Aging – Assistant Professor – York University

The School of Kinesiology and Health Science invites applications for a tenure-track professorial-stream appointment in Visuomotor Neuroscience of Aging focused on visuomotor control, and the integration of vision into action in aging, at the rank of Assistant Professor to commence July 1, 2019. We seek an outstanding scholar to join a growing and dynamic School that is ranked as the top Kinesiology program in Canada and 18th in the world.

Applicants must have a PhD with a strong emphasis on the vision, visual-decline or visual-environmental design (ergonomics) on dexterity, mobility and navigation in aging and/or neurological populations. Post-doctoral experience is an asset. Applicants’ research program may have applications for working across the lifespan. The incumbent will employ a number of techniques including motion capture, psychophysics, ergonomics and design, modelling and neuroimaging. Preference would be given to an individual who works with older adult clinical populations or in occupational settings.

Candidates should demonstrate excellence or promise of excellence in scholarly research and in teaching and be eligible for prompt appointment to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The successful candidate will be required to teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels and supervise graduate students in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science. Teaching experience with demonstrated use of pedagogical innovation and/or experiential education is strongly preferred.

This position is a research enhanced faculty position partially funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund VISTA (Vision: Science to Application) program. The successful candidate is expected to engage with and benefit from the VISTA program led by York’s internationally renowned Centre for Vision Research and focused on the intersection between biological and computational vision. The VISTA program, which began in 2016, is supported by a total of $120 million in funding over seven years. The incumbent will receive enhanced start-up funding, annual research funds, a reduced teaching load, and competitive access to general VISTA research and training funds for the duration of the program.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.

York University champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Through cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design, diverse experiential learning and a supportive community environment, our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Located in Toronto, York is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni.

York acknowledges the potential impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement and encourages applicants to explain in their application the impact that career interruptions may have had.

Further information about the School of Kinesiology and Health Science can be obtained at http://www.kinesiology.yorku.ca/ and http://www.yorku.ca/kahs/

York University is an Affirmative Action (AA) employer and strongly values diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, within its community. The AA program, which applies to Aboriginal people, visible minorities, people with disabilities, and women, can be found at http://acadjobs.info.yorku.ca/ or by calling the AA office at 416-736-5713. Applicants wishing to self-identify can do so by downloading, completing and submitting the forms found at: http://acadjobs.info.yorku.ca/ . Please select the ‘Affirmative Action’ tab under which forms pertaining to Citizenship and AA can be found. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Indigenous peoples in Canada will be given priority.

The deadline for receipt of applications is November 16, 2018. Applicants should send a covering letter specifying the position(s) for which they are applying, an up-to-date curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching goals, a statement of research program goals, three relevant reprints, and provide contact information for three referees to:

Dr. Angelo Belcastro, Chair,
School of Kinesiology and Health Science,
York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3
(kinchair@yorku.ca).

Posting end date 2018/11/17

Human Disorders of Neurological Motor Control – Assistant professor – York University

The School of Kinesiology and Health Science invites applications for a tenure-track professorial-stream appointment in Human Disorders of Neurological Motor Control, at the rank of Assistant Professor to commence July 1, 2019. We seek an outstanding person to join a growing and dynamic School that is ranked as the top Kinesiology program in Canada and 18th in the world.

Applicants must have a PhD in Kinesiology or a related field that supports their qualification. Candidates will have documented expertise in human neurological motor control and movement disorders with a focus on normal and abnormal performance of the nervous system with respect to motor control. The candidate will be able to apply research directed at either preventing, evaluating, improving or restoring motor control in the neurologically impaired individual. Candidates could have experience in neurological dysfunctions of motor control associated with either the spinal cord, the cerebellum, motor areas of the cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus or other relevant areas.

The candidate should have promise of or demonstration of an independent program of research as evidenced by a solid publication record in refereed journals and promise of external funding. Candidates should show excellence or promise of excellence in scholarly research and in teaching and be eligible for prompt appointment to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Experiences including clinical research or innovation around practical application are an asset. Applicants with industry experience will also be considered.

The successful candidate will be required to teach at the undergraduate plus graduate levels and supervise graduate students in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science. Teaching experience with demonstrated use of pedagogical innovation using technology-enhanced learning and/or experiential education is preferred.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.

York University champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Through cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design, diverse experiential learning and a supportive community environment, our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Located in Toronto, York is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni.

Further information about the School of Kinesiology and Health Science can be obtained at http://kine.info.yorku.ca/ and http://kahs.gradstudies.yorku.ca/

York University is an Affirmative Action (AA) employer and strongly values diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, within its community. The AA program, which applies to Aboriginal people, visible minorities, people with disabilities, and women, can be found at http://acadjobs.info.yorku.ca/ or by calling the AA office at 416-736-5713. Applicants wishing to self-identify can do so by downloading, completing and submitting the forms found at: http://acadjobs.info.yorku.ca/ . Please select the ‘Affirmative Action’ tab under which forms pertaining to Citizenship and AA can be found. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Indigenous peoples in Canada will be given priority.

The deadline for receipt of applications is November 16, 2018. Applicants should send a covering letter specifying the position(s) for which they are applying, an up-to-date curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching goals, a teaching dossier which supports excellence and innovation in teaching (including student teaching evaluations and a teaching statement); and provide contact information for three referees to: Dr. Angelo Belcastro, Chair, School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3 (kinchair@yorku.ca).

Contact information:

Dr. Angelo Belcastro, Chair
School of Kinesiology and Health Science,
York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3
kinchair@yorku.ca

Posting end date: 2018/11/17

Tenure Stream Position in Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Toronto Scarborough

The Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) invites applications for a tenure-stream appointment in Behavioural Neuroscience. The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor and will begin on July 1, 2019.

We are seeking candidates with an excellent research record in fundamental neurobiological mechanisms of behaviour in non-human animals. Applicants should demonstrate an integrative, multidisciplinary approach in their research. Areas of interest may range from molecular and cellular to systems level approaches. Consideration will also be given to applicants doing translational work in human and non-human subjects.

The successful candidate must have a PhD in Psychology, or a closely related field, by the time of appointment or shortly thereafter. They must also have an established record of excellence in research as demonstrated by publications in top ranked and field relevant academic journals or a research pipeline that is at high international levels, presentations at significant conferences, awards and accolades, and strong endorsements by referees. The candidate must also demonstrate excellence in teaching. This can be accomplished through strong endorsements from referees and a teaching portfolio, including a coherent statement of teaching philosophy that is linked to evidence of excellent pedagogical practice, teaching accomplishments, and excellent course evaluations, or demonstrated excellent performance in other teaching related activities, including performance as a teaching assistant, experience leading successful workshops or seminars, or excellent conference posters or presentations.

The successful candidate will be expected to build an excellent world-class externally funded research program. The successful candidate must provide evidence of readiness to undertake undergraduate and graduate research supervision and teaching. The successful candidate will also be expected to perform standard professional and administrative activities typical of a department and/or university.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Contact information:

All qualified candidates are invited to apply online at http://uoft.me/1803591. Applicants should submit a complete and current curriculum vita, a statement outlining current and future research interests, three recent publications, and a teaching portfolio (to include a statement of teaching philosophy, teaching accomplishments, and excellent course evaluations or evidence of excellent performance in other teaching activities). If you have questions about this position, please email psychology-applications@utsc.utoronto.ca. All applications must be submitted online by Monday October 15, 2018.

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

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

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

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

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

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