Author: Julie

Assistant Professor Position in Developmental Biology – Brock University

Posted on | by Julie

About Brock University

Brock University is located on the Traditional Territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples. This Territory is covered by the One Dish One Spoon Wampum Agreement and the Upper Canada Treaties. We express our gratitude and respect for the honour of living and working with Indigenous people. In all that we do, Brock University strives to honour and support the Indigenous peoples of whose Traditional Territory Brock University is located. Our commitment to Reconciliation and Decolonization are one of four strategic priorities of Brock’s 2018-2025 Strategic Plan. These priorities include fostering a culture of inclusivity, accessibility, reconciliation and decolonization. At Brock, “we believe that a diverse and welcoming learning  community is built upon the foundation of exceptional students, faculty, staff and alumni. This requires that Brock be attractive and welcoming to people of all identities and accepting of the unique histories and experiences of Indigenous people within the Canadian state.”

The Brock University experience is second to none in Canada. Located in historic Niagara region, Brock offers all the benefits of a young and modern university in a safe, community-minded city, with beautiful natural surroundings. With over 19,000 students and more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in seven diverse Faculties, Brock excels at providing exceptional experiential learning opportunities and highly rated student and campus life experiences.

 Our Geography

Brock University’s main campus is situated atop the Niagara Escarpment, within a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, overlooking the city of St. Catharines, in the heart of Niagara wine country. The Niagara region is dotted with landmarks that recognize our nation’s history and features breathtaking natural beauty and world-famous attractions. St. Catharines is home to vibrant arts and entertainment venues, and is a short drive from Toronto, Niagara Falls, and Buffalo, New York. With one of the warmest climates in Canada, clean, safe communities, and surprisingly affordable real estate, Niagara is an exceptional location to call home.

What We Offer

Brock University offers competitive salary and benefits, and ample support for research and sabbaticals. Research resources include conference support, start-up funding, subscriptions to major databases, and access to various research funding vehicles. For candidates considering relocation, moving expenses will be administered according to the Collective Agreement.

 About the Position

The Department of Biological Sciences at Brock University invites applications for a tenure-track position in  Developmental Biology, at the rank of Assistant Professor. Applicants should possess a Ph.D. in Biology or closely related field, with a minimum of 2 years of post-doctoral experience. Applicants should have a strong track record of scientific and research excellence as well as demonstrated strength in teaching and research supervision. The establishment of a successful, externally funded research program with supervision of undergraduate and graduate students is expected.

Applications from diverse research areas of developmental biology using either invertebrate or vertebrate animal model systems are welcome. Current interests in the department include, but are not restricted to, evolutionary development, developmental neuroscience, and regenerative biology. We encourage applications from candidates who perform innovative and rigorous research in developmental biology at the genetic, molecular, cellular, or organismal level, and who will apply unique approaches to address fundamental questions that further our understanding of animal development.

 About the Department

The Department of Biological Sciences at Brock University is a diverse department with extensive cross- disciplinary collaborations. The successful applicant will be expected to contribute to teaching within the Department of Biological Sciences, including upper year courses in developmental biology. More information about the department can be found at: http://www.brocku.ca/mathematics-science/departments-and- centres/biology). Interested candidates are invited to submit a letter of application, a curriculum vitae, a statement outlining their current and proposed research program (maximum 3 pages), up to 3 recent publications, and a one- page statement of teaching philosophy (and any evidence of teaching performance) in electronic format via the online application system here. A single file PDF upload is preferable, but please note that a file maximum of 5MB per attachment exists.

Applicants should also arrange for up to three letters of academic reference to be sent electronically to Brittany Kalbfleisch at bkalbfleisch@brocku.ca (within 2 weeks following the application deadline). Complete applications received by August 31st, 2022, will receive full consideration (reference letters will be accepted until September 15th 2022). The start date for the position is negotiable but could be as early as January 1st, 2023. The availability of this position is subject to final budgetary approval. Inquiries can be directed to A. Necakov, Biological Sciences, 905-688-5550 x3829, Email: anecakov@brocku.ca.

Applications should be submitted electronically through the Brock Careers website at the following link:

https://brocku.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/brocku_careers/job/St-Catharines-Main-Campus/Tenure-Track– Assistant-Professor-Position-in-Developmental-Biology_JR-1012809

Our Commitment

Brock University is actively committed to diversity and the principles of employment equity and invites applications from all qualified candidates. Women, Aboriginal peoples, members of visible minorities, people with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) persons are encouraged to apply and to voluntarily self-identify as a member of a designated group as part of their application. LGBTQ is an umbrella category and shall be read to include two-spirited people. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups can fill out the Self-Identification questions included in the questionnaire at the time of application.

Brock University recently paused its COVID-19 vaccination and mask requirement although this decision is subject to change on short notice should the public health situation require it. If the University once again requires all employees working on campus and/or in-person with other employees, students, or members of the public to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination. Those who meet specific and limited medical or human rights accommodation criteria may be required to participate in rapid antigen testing and enhanced screening protocols.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

We will accommodate the needs of the applicants and the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the selection process, as outlined in the Employment Accommodation Policy https://brocku.ca/policies/wp-content/uploads/sites/94/Employment- Accommodation-Policy.pdf. Please advise: talent@brocku.ca to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated through this process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

We appreciate all applications received; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. At this time, initial interviews will be conducted virtually.

Learn more about Brock University by visiting www.brocku.ca.

 

Contact information

https://brocku.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/brocku_careers/job/St-Catharines-Main-Campus/Tenure-Track– Assistant-Professor-Position-in-Developmental-Biology_JR-1012809

Inquiries can be directed to

A. Necakov, Biological Sciences, 905-688-5550 x3829, Email: anecakov@brocku.ca.

Posting end date : 2022/09/15

Postdoctoral Fellow – Behavioral Neuroscience/Drug Discovery, University of Toronto

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The Martin Lab (www.martinpainlab.com) in the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto is recruiting a full-time postdoctoral fellow in the area of Behavioral Neuroscience to screen novel small molecule therapies based on psychedelics and related compounds for mental health disorders. Initial experiments will require the candidate to establish an automated head-twitch detection system to assess novel compounds aimed at the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. The laboratory has an extensive global network of academic, industrial, and governmental collaborators. Our group offers a highly dynamic, collaborative, innovative research environment with state-of-the-art technology and instruments.

This position is in partnership with Dalriada Drug Discovery (www.dalriadatx.com), a small molecule drug discovery company supporting global innovators through its TURN-KEY™ model. With all R&D operations in Mississauga, Canada, Dalriada has built expert teams in MedChem, Biology and ADME to allow for the most rapid project advancements and value building.

Job description

There is a significant opportunity for improved next-generation therapies to address mental health disorders. The past several years have yielded a massive amount of preclinical and clinical knowledge regarding using psychedelic and related compounds to treat these disorders. There is a significant opportunity to deliver enhanced small molecule therapies building on the existing and emerging knowledge of psychedelics’ mechanism of action. The successful candidate will develop and lead a research project that tests the biological effects of novel small molecule therapeutics based on psychedelics.

 

Position start date: Immediately

Job site: University of Toronto, 3359 Mississauga Rd, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6

Status: Full-time, 12-24 months contract

 

Desired Skills and experience

The candidate should have completed their Ph.D. degree in Behavioral Neuroscience, Biology, Psychology, Pharmacology, or a related discipline. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated, goal-oriented and self-driven individual ready to work independently and in a team environment. The ideal candidate has experience using rodent models to support preclinical development and screening of drug candidates.

 

Required:

  • Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience, Biology, Psychology, Pharmacology, or related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of neuroscience with a background in receptor pharmacology
  • Collection, analysis and interpretation of data sets and proposal of follow-up experiments based on data trends
  • Troubleshoot and optimize automated behavioural analyses. Familiarity with DeepLabCut or a similar platform would be an asset but is unnecessary.
  • Track record of academic excellence
  • Strong skills in written and oral communication
  • Ability to work effectively independently and as a team member is a prerequisite.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a CV and a cover letter to lj.martin@utoronto.ca with the subject line “Martin-Dalriada Postdoctoral Fellowship application.”

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Please apply by September 1, 2022. Only successful applicants will be contacted for an interview.

This position is open to Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents and International Applicants.

The University of Toronto is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to achieving accessibility by providing accommodation for people with disabilities during our hiring process. Accommodation is available on request for qualified candidates during the recruitment process.

Contact information

Loren Martin, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, University of Toronto Mississauga
Canada Research Chair in Translational Pain Research
Department of Psychology, CCT Building, Room 4061
3359 Mississauga Rd, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6
PH (office): 905-569-5784, PH (lab): 905-828-3785,
Web: www.martinpainlab.com, Email: lj.martin@utoronto.ca

Neurophysiology graduate student position at the University of Victoria, BC

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We are inviting applications for a Master’s or PhD student position to study synaptic neurophysiology at the University of Victoria, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The selected candidate will join the team of Dr. Raad Nashmi’s laboratory.

Our lab is interested in understanding how cholinergic neurons affect the excitability and plasticity of neural circuits in the brain. To achieve this our lab employs a variety of techniques including whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of mouse brain slice tissue, optogenetics, UV uncaging of neurotransmitters and the study of mouse behaviours. Ultimately, we are interested in how specific neural circuit activity in the brain control or modulate specific behaviours. The Master’s or PhD candidate will examine how different neurotransmitter systems, including the cholinergic system, modifies the function of substantia nigral neurons in a spatial and temporal manner.

Applicants should have taken courses at the undergraduate or graduate level in physiology and/or neuroscience. Experience with electrophysiology would be an asset but is not necessary.

The University of Victoria is a research intensive university located on Vancouver Island in the city of Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. Greater Victoria region has a population of 397,000 and has all the amenities common to major Canadian cities. Victoria and its surrounding local areas boast breathtaking natural scenery and a mild climate, making it one of the most desirable destinations in Canada.

Please contact Raad Nashmi, raad@uvic.ca, with a resume or CV, a copy of your university transcripts and a brief explanation of your research interests.

Contact information
Raad Nashmi

raad@uvic.ca

Postdoctoral Position in Neurobiology of Pain, McGill University

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A postdoctoral position is available in the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit and the Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain (AECRP) at McGill University under the supervision of Drs. Yoram Shir and Arkady Khoutorsky. We are looking for an independent and motivated researcher to work on multiple projects related to the role of the gut microbiome in different chronic pain conditions. The projects involve both clinical and basic science approaches, with the goal to characterize changes in the gut microbiome in chronic pain in humans, investigate the role of these changes in mediating pain and related co-morbidities, and develop strategies targeting the microbiome to alleviate pain. More details can be found here: https://www.mcgill.ca/painresearch/yoram-shir, http://arkady-khoutorsky.lab.mcgill.ca/ and https://www.mcgill.ca/painresearch/amir-minerbi .

The AECRP at McGill University hosts numerous clinical and basis science researchers covering a wide range of interests and expertise in the field of pain and creating a highly stimulating environment. Montreal is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and affordable city with one of the strongest neuroscience communities in North America.

Highly motivated and independent individuals with a solid publication record are encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to candidates with experience in pain and/or microbiome research. The position would involve work on several basic science and clinical projects as part of a multidisciplinary team. Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills are required.

Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, a CV, and names & contact information of at least two referees to Yoram.Shir.med@ssss.gouv.qc.ca, arkady.khoutorsky@mcgill.ca.

Postdoctoral or Research Associate position available — University of Toronto

Posted on | by Julie

The Martin Lab (www.martinpainlab.com) in the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto has a postdoctoral position available for an independent, highly motivated, and enthusiastic individual to study the synaptic basis and circuits of complex behaviour. The successful candidate will join a vibrant, highly collaborative, dynamic well-funded laboratory located on the Mississauga Campus of the University of Toronto.

The long-term objectives of our lab are to study and understand the endogenous mechanisms of pain modulation by social and cognitive factors. We are especially interested in the associations formed during the pain experience and use classical conditioning approaches to understand the learning mechanisms of pain sensitivity and pain relief as well as the contribution of fear to pain processing (Martin et al., 2019, Curr Biol). The candidate will use a combination of viral tract tracing, electrophysiology, and optical techniques to identify the cellular and circuit mechanisms that control pain following conditioning to noxious stimuli and analgesic drugs.

Qualified postdoctoral candidates should have experience with mouse models, viral vectors, in vitro (patch-clamp) electrophysiological techniques, in vivo optogenetics or fibre photometry. Experience with molecular biology and/or immunohistochemistry are strong assets. Strong background in R language and using R packages to analyze connectome data. Familiarity with Python/MATLAB for spike and waveform analysis is also advantageous.

To apply, please send a brief statement of research interests, CV, and contact information for 3 references to

lj.martin@utoronto.ca.
Contact information Loren J. Martin, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, University of Toronto Mississauga
Tier II Canada Research Chair in Translational Pain Research
Department of Psychology, CCT Building, Room 4065
3359 Mississauga Rd, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6

Exoskeleton robot helps researchers shed new light on learning and stroke recovery

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UCalgary clinical trial maps how we learn motor skills, and the results could be a game-changer for stroke rehabilitation.

This morning, you probably reached out of bed to turn off your alarm clock, and later brushed your teeth or buttoned a shirt. Those movements are routine; mundane, even. You are long past the point of wondering how you learned to do any of those things and don’t give a second thought to the complexity of what happened in your brain so that your arm could lift your cup of coffee. Continue reading →

First report of the new House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research tabled on June 6

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On June 6, the new House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research tabled its first ever report, as part of its study on “Successes, Challenges and Opportunities for Science in Canada”. The Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN) was one of sixteen organizations that submitted a written submission as part of the consultations. The Committee held meetings over the course of three months, which CAN closely followed, hearing from science and research organizations, post-secondary institutions, companies and government departments.

CAN welcomes all 13 of the recommendations made to government, and is pleased that one of our recommendations (An initial 25% boost to the budgets of the three granting councils followed by a 10% yearly increase) was specifically referenced in the report. Additionally, we are happy to see that the Committee has recognized the tremendous setback to Canada’s research ecosystem caused by the pandemic, and the impact of the rapid mobilization of resources to conduct COVID-19 research, sometimes at the expense of research on other health issues. Continue reading →