Author: Julie

Postdoc position in Neuroscience-University of Calgary

Posted on | by Julie

A Postdoctoral position in neuroscience is available in the laboratory of Dr. Derya Sargin at the University of Calgary. Work in our lab is focused on understanding how chronic stress disrupts brain function. Two major lines of research ongoing in the lab are investigating the long-term impact of early life stress and chronic social isolation on behavior and brain circuits/networks. We are using transgenic mouse models and a variety of techniques ranging from in-vivo calcium imaging, electrophysiology, optogenetics, emotional and social behaviour, and machine learning-based data analysis. With these tools, we are able to visualize brain activity in real time and investigate how brain function deteriorates in response to developmental and chronic stress. The ultimate goal of our work is to build towards novel treatment strategies for stress related disorders.

We are looking for motivated and enthusiastic candidates, with a PhD degree in neuroscience or a related field, who are eager to work in a collaborative lab environment. Applicants with a strong background in neuroscience and a proven publication record are invited to apply. Experience in any of the techniques including fiber photometry, optogenetics, rodent behavior or patch clamp electrophysiology is advantageous. Our lab, department and university are committed to fostering and enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome all applicants of diverse backgrounds. Applications from underrepresented Indigenous, black and minority ethnic populations are particularly encouraged to apply.

Dr. Sargin’s research group is a part of the Department of Psychology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute and the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education. Our group is in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary and international research environment that provides opportunities to develop new skills and collaborations.

To apply, please send a cover letter describing research background and interests along with a CV to Dr. Derya Sargin at derya.sargin@ucalgary.ca

Assistant, Associate, or Professor in Computational Cognition – University of Manitoba

Posted on | by Julie

Department of Computer Science
Faculty of Science
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Assistant, Associate, or Professor in Computational Cognition
Position #30384

The Department of Computer Science invites applications for one or more full-time tenured or tenure-track position at the Assistant, Associate, or Professor level, commencing July 1, 2022, or on a date mutually agreed upon. The Department seeks an emerging scholar with a commitment to excellence in teaching and research. Exceptional candidates at any level will also be considered. Candidates will complement or extend the Faculty’s strengths in machine learning, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, cognitive science, neuroscience and related areas. Outstanding candidates in any area of Computer Science will be considered. The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. and preferably post-doctoral experience or other distinguishing attributes in Computer Science or a related field. Duties will include undergraduate teaching in Computer Science, graduate teaching and supervision, research, including the establishment of an externally funded research program, and service-related activities. The successful candidate will have a track record of high quality scholarly research leading to peer assessed publications; will either have, or demonstrate the potential to establish, an independent, innovative, scholarly, externally fundable research program; will have demonstrated strength in or strong potential for outstanding teaching contributions; and will exhibit evidence of the ability to work in a collaborative environment. Salary and rank will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

To enrich our Department and create role models for a diverse population of students, we particularly invite application from those who can support and enhance our diversity, including women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and racialized persons, and those committed to a diverse environment.

The Department currently has 22 full time tenured and tenure track faculty members and 9 Instructors, and offers a full range of both undergraduate and graduate programs in Computer Science. Further information about the Department can be obtained from . Winnipeg is the largest city in the Province of Manitoba. The city has a rich cultural environment, including symphony, opera, dance, theatre, and ethnic festivals. The region provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation in all seasons. Learn more about Winnipeg at .

The University of Manitoba is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from women, racialized persons, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of all sexual and gender identities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact UM.Accommodation@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

Contact information

Applications including a curriculum vitae, a description of teaching philosophy, a summary of research interests, a three page research plan and contact information for three references should be sent to (PDF files preferred). Please ensure to specify position number 30384 in the application. For further information contact the Search Committee Chair at . The closing date for receipt of applications is August 25, 2021.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Please note that curricula vitae may be provided to participating members of the search process.

Posting end date

2021/07/27

Recording available: CSPC panel 128 – Roles & Responsibilities of Academic Science Societies in informing Policy: Lessons & Observations from Around the World

Posted on | by Julie

The recording of the CSPC panel from November 17 2020 is now available from the CSPC. Learn more on their website: https://sciencepolicy.ca/conference/cspc-2020/improving-linkages-between-science-policy/

CAN President Charles Bourque’s intervention begins at 1:08. Continue reading →

Clinician Scientist Fellowships – University of Alberta

Posted on | by Julie

The Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute (NMHI) at the University of Alberta is offering two fellowships to attract outstanding clinician scientists in training to the University of Alberta to conduct postdoctoral research in neurology and neuroscience: The Mildred I. Olsen Neurology Fellowship and The University Hospital Foundation Neurology Fellowship.

To apply:

  • Your supervisor must be a member of the NMHI (applicants must identify and contact a potential NMHI supervisor before applying);
  • You must hold an MD and plan to work in an area that falls within the NMHI research areas;

The value of each fellowship is $70,000 to be used towards salary costs; supervisors are responsible for benefits. The awards are tenable at the University of Alberta.

Deadline for Applications: August 31, 2021

About the NMHI: The NMHI is a multi-faculty, interdisciplinary teaching and research institute located at the University of Alberta. It is home to over 150 scientists and clinicians, spanning across all areas of neuroscience and mental health.

Contact information

nmhicoms@ualberta.ca

Download a PDF version of this advertisement

Posting end date

2021/08/31

 

Shedding light on adult brain stem cells

Posted on | by Julie

Armen SaghatelyanA CERVO research centre team demonstrates the role of light and calcium ions in neural stem cell activation in adulthood

It has long been believed that neurons in the human brain develop only during the period from embryogenesis to adolescence. It is now known that in some areas of the brain, neural stem cells remain and give rise to neurons even in adults. “These stem cells can remain quiescent for long periods of time and we still know very little about the mechanisms that make them go from a quiescent state to an activated state,” says Armen Saghatelyan, from the Université Laval and the CERVO Brain Research Centre. Continue reading →

Researchers close in on root of slow motor learning in autism

Posted on | by Julie
Simon Chen
Simon Chen
Image source uottawa.ca

Social deficits attract so much attention in the study of autism spectrum disorder, it’s easy to forget there are motor learning deficits during early childhood as well. For autistic kids hoping to throw a ball around the schoolyard and connect with classmates, these physical skill differences can isolate a child further.

In a new study published in Nature Neuroscience researchers from the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine have closed in on the neurological underpinnings of the motor learning delay. Dr. Simon Chen’s lab in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine used a mouse model of autism to demonstrate a shortage in the amount of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline being released into the brain’s primary motor cortex.

Dr. Chen’s lab identified the problem originating some distance away in an area of the hindbrain called the locus coeruleus, which is known as a center of motivation, alertness, and attention.

Read the rest of the press release on the University of Ottawa website:

https://media.uottawa.ca/news/researchers-close-root-slow-motor-learning-autism

Original research article:

Yin, X., Jones, N., Yang, J. et al. Delayed motor learning in a 16p11.2 deletion mouse model of autism is rescued by locus coeruleus activation. Nat Neurosci (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-021-00815-7

CAN Trainee research feature: Ewen Lavoie – University of Alberta

Posted on | by Julie

Ewen Lavoie presents work he has done in the laboratory of Dr. Craig Chapman at the University of Alberta, and published here:

Lavoie, E., & Chapman, C. S. (2021). What’s limbs got to do with it? Real-world movement correlates with feelings of ownership over virtual arms during object interactions in virtual reality. Neuroscience of Consciousness.

https://doi.org/10.1093/nc/niaa027

Check out all our CAN Trainee research features here

Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Experimental Quantum Neuroscience – University of Waterloo

Posted on | by Julie

The Quantum Neuroscience research group at the University of Waterloo, Canada is seeking an outstanding applicant for a Post-Doctoral Fellowship with experience in electrophysiology and molecular neuroscience.

Motivated by growing interest in the possibility that quantum effects may be at play in neuroscience, the University of Waterloo Quantum Neuroscience research group is aiming to find experimental evidence of novel quantum effects across established mammalian models used in experimental neuroscience. Specifically, the project will focus on studying the effects lithium isotopes may have on the electrophysiological activity of rodent-derived brain tissue. The demonstration of a lithium isotope effect in brain activity will be of great interest in helping to shed light on its mode of action. Of particular interest, a lithium isotope effect on animal behaviour was previously reported by Sechzer et al. [DOI:10.1016/0006-3223(86)90308-2] and, more recently, by Ettenberg et al. [DOI:10.1016/j.pbb.2020.172875]. In addition, the Waterloo Team recently obtained experimental evidence for a lithium isotope effect on electrical responses of rodent brain tissue. The post-doctoral fellow will extend this work using electrophysiology and other biochemical and biophysical methods.

The Waterloo Quantum Neuroscience research team consists of four faculty members: Zoya Leonenko, Michel Gingras, John Mielke and Michael Beazely and 12 undergraduate and graduate students. The team adopts an interdisciplinary approach that brings together expertise in theoretical physics, experimental biophysics, molecular pharmacology and neuroscience. The Waterloo team is part of the International Quantum Brain Network and works on this project in collaboration with Matthew Fisher at the University of California at Santa Barbara and four other research laboratories and is funded by an industrial pharmaceutical partner.

As a part of this project, we are seeking a post-doctoral level scientist with the following key characteristics and skills:

  • neuroscience-related, or biophysics doctoral degree
  • demonstrated expertise in the recording of field potentials (ideally, using multi-electrode arrays)
  • demonstrated research excellence in publications and presentations
  • well-developed ability to write in English
  • strong ability to work effectively within an inter-disciplinary team (involving biologists, physicists, and trainees at all levels)
  • detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
  • expertise with statistical tools typically used in biophysics and medical science
  • training in basic molecular biology techniques (such as Western blotting) is a plus

Expected duties and responsibilities:

  1. design and execute experiments
  2. work with team members to identify experimental goals and the research plans needed to reach these targets
  3. use a multi-electrode array (MED64) to perform field recording experiments from tissue slices acutely prepared from rodent brain
  4. analyze and present data, prepare written reports, and manuscript drafts
  5. analyze and present data for regular lab meetings
  6. present results (in poster, or oral form) at scientific meetings
  7. mentor junior trainees
  8. serve as a role model for junior-level trainees by providing constructive feedback and maintaining a friendly disposition

The position is initially for a 12-month appointment, with the possibility of renewal for up to three years, depending on performance. Applications will be considered until a suitable applicant is found. The start date can be as early as May 1, 2021.

To apply, please send a cover letter (2 pages maximum), a CV (including your education, scientific skills, your research experience and list of publications) and contact information for at least three senior researchers familiar with your research credentials and expertise who could provide a letter of reference on your behalf.

Contact information

Please send your application by email to: qneuro.uwaterloo@gmail.com with subject line: PDF Applicant QNeuro; Last name, First name.

Posting end date: 2021-10-01

Download a PDF version of this advertisement