Author: Julie

Advocacy Training: Be an effective advocate for science: Be involved & Tell your story

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SfN and CAN join forces to bring you advocacy training that explains:

  • Why advocacy matters
  • How you can make an impact
  • How informing lawmakers can advance neuroscience priorities
  • How the Canadian budget process works
  • How SfN and CAN can be your resource
  • How to plan a #neuroadvocate activity

Speakers:

Michael Heintz, Director of Advocacy & Training at Society for Neuroscience

Melanie Woodin, Chair of the CAN advocacy committee

Julie Poupart, CAN Advocacy Officer

(you are free to use / reuse this content – please acknowledge the Society for Neuroscience and the Canadian Association for Neuroscience if you do).

Other CAN-ACN Resources

Meeting your MP

Getting ready for budget 2019

Why advocate?

Discovery of mutations in ACTL6B gene offers insight into brain development

Posted on | by Julie
Carl Ernst
Carl Ernst

Québec siblings with rare orphan disease lead to discovery of rare genetic diseases

Mutations in a gene involved in brain development have led to the discovery of two new neurodevelopmental diseases by an international team led by researchers at McGill University and CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center.

The first clues about the rare disorder arose after doctors were unable to diagnose why two siblings from Québec City were experiencing seizures and neurodevelopmental deficits. Desperate, the children’s family turned to Carl Ernst at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute in Montreal for answers. Continue reading →

Post-Doctoral Fellow – Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Ontario

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  • Position Title: Post-Doctoral Fellow
  • Job Class:  Under Review
  • Dept/Program:  Research & Academics
  • Rate of Pay:  Under Review
  • Employment Type: Temporary Full Time up to 2 years
  • Employee Group:  Non-Union
  • Work Schedule: 37.50 hours weekly as per schedule
  • Posting Date: April 25, 2019
  • Posting Type:  Open
  • Number:  1
  • Shift Type:  Days

REPOST

 

The goal of the Waypoint Research Institute is to advance evidence-based mental health and addictions research to improve clinical care.

Waypoint Research Institute has identified four thematic areas that embody our core commitment to research excellence:

  • Risk Factors and Assessment
  • Treatment and Transitions
  • Knowledge Translation
  • Policy

A Post-Doctoral Fellowship is available under the supervision of Dr. Nathan Kolla, Vice President, Research & Academics, and in association with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto. This Fellowship offers the opportunity to gain and contribute knowledge to the area of risk factors and assessment. The ideal student is interested in forensic mental health, psychopathy, genetics, neuroscience and risk factor identification.

Key Accountabilities:

  • Develop and implement work plans for current and new research projects as well as coordinate, oversee and execute study procedures and research protocols.
  • Apply for funding (award applications) to local, provincial, and/or national research agencies.
  • Recruit and conduct patient testing as per research protocol.
  • Collect, clean, and analyze data; develop and oversee the maintenance of research databases; conduct descriptive and inferential data analyses.
  • Prepare, edit, and format manuscripts for publications and grant applications.
  • Publish original research results obtained during tenure in appropriate journals and other recognized media including the preparation of research summaries for display on the Institute’s website.
  • Prepare presentations and posters to communicate research findings; attend scientific conferences to present results (subject to the availability of travel funds).
  • Support and collaborate with other members of the Institute’s research team.
  • Conduct literature reviews and other background research for manuscript and grant writing.
  • Discuss research findings with research team, collaborative partners, other researchers, etc.
  • Work collaboratively with the Institute’s team, clinical staff, and external clinical and academic institutions.
  • Participate in training and educational activities.
  • Supervision of undergraduate and graduate students may be required.

Requirements/Qualifications:

  • A Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree with an emphasis on mental health.
  • Prior experience in a clinical mental healthcare environment; forensic experience preferred.
  • Current knowledge of and experience with advanced research design, research methodologies, patient recruitment and testing, data analysis, genetic screening, and risk assessments.
  • Advanced statistical training and knowledge of statistical software packages (e.g., SPSS).
  • Evidence of experience in preparation and publication of manuscripts, including at least two first author publications (accepted or in press); strong technical writing skills.
  • Results-oriented work ethic to work independently and undertake tasks needed to accomplish work objectives and deliver quality, consistent and timely results.
  • Demonstrated leadership, conflict resolution, interpersonal and organizational skills.
  • Proven ability to adapt readily to change.
  • Models and promotes core ethical practice, Waypoint Values, and reflects an optimistic and positive attitude.
  • Proficiency in French/English language skills preferred

 

How do I apply?

Waypoint employees apply through the Employee Self-Service portal at https://employees.waypointcentre.ca and external applicants apply to http://www.waypointcentre.ca/i_want_to/join_your_team by close of business (5:00 pm) on May 9th, 2019 quoting Job ID WC18-311. Attach your cover letter and resume detailing why you are interested in this opportunity and how you meet the qualifications and key accountabilities specified.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible work environment, where all employees feel valued and respected. Waypoint offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities as part of our recruitment process. If you are contacted to arrange an interview or testing, please advise us if you require an accommodation.

All applicants are thanked for their interest in this position, however, due to high volumes only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Postdoctoral fellow – linking bacterial infection to immunity and Parkinson’s disease – Trudeau and Gruenheid labs in Montreal

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The Trudeau (University of Montreal) and Gruenheid (McGill) labs in Montreal presently have a job opening for a postdoctoral fellow to work on a project linking bacterial infection to immunity and Parkinson’s disease, taking advantage of mouse models. The ideal applicant will have expertise in neuroscience, including in one or more of the following techniques: primary neuronal cultures, neuroanatomy, behavioral analyses, electrophysiology and fluorescence imaging techniques.

Interested applicants should send a CV and statement explaining their previous training and motivation for this job to Dr. Louis-Eric Trudeau (louis-eric.trudeau@umontreal) and put Dr. Samantha Gruenheid in copy (samantha.gruenheid@mcgill.ca) and. The position is for 3 to 5 years and the salary will be determined based on previous expertise.

Interested applicants can find out more about the two labs by consulting the following web sites: www.trudeaulab.org  and https://www.mcgill.ca/mrcct/members/primary-members/samantha-gruenheid

Independent Scientist, Artificial Intelligence | Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics at CAMH

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The Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics at CAMH is hiring world-leading research scientists to transform our understanding of mental health by organizing, integrating, analyzing, visualizing and modelling data across all levels of the brain — from genes to circuits to behaviour. This multimodal data is gathered across the clinical environment, including genetic, epigenetic, MRI, DTI, fMRI, hd-EEG, actigraphy and electronic medical record (EMR) data.

Teams employ state-of-the-art techniques, including topological data analysis, machine learning and multiscale computational modeling to accelerate the identification and treatment of mental health disorders. Research is performed in an open, team science environment, with a focus on global collaboration and an emphasis on reproducible data-driven research and a patient-centric approach. The Centre operates as an incubator for medical technologies to identify, manage and treat mental illness, while shaping policy at national and global levels.

As an Independent Scientist for Artificial Intelligence, you will build and lead a team to develop machine learning techniques that contribute to data-driven definitions of mental health and brain disorders. Your team at the Krembil Centre will integrate machine learning, predictive models and decision support research into CAMH, and collaborate with clinical and research scientists on early identification of mental health issues to improve care, clinical outcomes and patient engagement.

In this key role you will work collaboratively with the Data and Knowledge Engineering teams who develop and maintain the BrainHealth Databank, a semantic data lake and knowledge graph that integrates multiscale and multimodal data, including genomics, epigenetics, blood markers, structural and functional brain imaging, EEG, EMRs, and behavioural data obtained from the 30,000+ patients seen annually at CAMH, plus information contained in provincial-level healthcare databases.

As an Independent Scientist for AI, you will be cross-appointed as a Vector Institute faculty member and also maintain departmental and graduate school faculty status at the University of Toronto (U of T). Candidates should have a PhD in Computer Science or a similar field, and 3+ years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, experience and demonstrated ability. This will include demonstrated experience in the application of machine learning to a practical domain, in the development of organizational AI/data systems, and in fostering collaborations between diverse research and clinical groups (both internally and externally). Your track record will also demonstrate competence in publishing in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, obtaining funding from various sources, disseminating research at formal scientific meetings, and participating in the education and supervision of students and trainees.

As an Independent Scientist, you will be expected to comply with all associated responsibilities as set out in the CAMH Scientific Appointment Policy (i.e. complete research training, obtain a portfolio of external funding, publish in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, and supervise CAMH staff and/or students). In addition, you will be self-directed and conduct research activities autonomously under the direction of the Scientific Director.

A competitive salary and benefits package is offered for this full-time, permanent position. To be considered for this pivotal research leadership role, submit your application to Phelpsgroup at careers@phelpsgroup.ca, specifying Independent Scientist, Artificial Intelligence in the subject line.

CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto and is a teaching hospital and research institute. As a CAMH employee, you will be expected to actively support CAMH’s teaching and research activities, in addition to supporting the clinical work of the hospital.

As an employment equity employer, CAMH actively seeks Aboriginal peoples, visible minorities, women, people with disabilities (including people who have experienced mental health and substance use challenges), and additional diverse identities for our workforce.

Phelps groupPhelpsgroup

401 Bay Street, Suite 1400, Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4

Phone: 416-364-6229

careers@phelpsgroup.ca

Posting end date: 2019/05/22

Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience postdoctoral position – Magoski laboratory – Queen’s University

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A CIHR-funded postdoctoral position is immediately available in the Magoski laboratory at Queen’s University in the Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences and the Centre for Neuroscience Studies. The Magoski laboratory studies long-term changes to excitability in neuroendocrine cells that control reproduction in the model organism, Aplysia californica (see https://dbms.queensu.ca/faculty/neil-s-magoski). The present position concerns the function of transient receptor potential cation channels and innexin gap junction channels in both native neurons and expression systems. The applicant will hold a PhD and have cell & molecular biology experience, such as PCR-based cloning & genetic manipulation, real-time PCR, mammalian cell culture, immuostaining, fluorescence microscopy, Western blotting, microarray, and transcriptomics. The initial appointment will be for one year, with possibility of renewal; salary will be paid commensurate with experience plus benefits (as per the Collective Agreement between Queen’s University and its Postdoctoral Fellows; see https://www.queensu.ca/facultyrelations/post-doctoral-fellows/collective-agreement).

Please send Curriculum vitae and the names of three references to Dr. Neil Magoski (magoski@queensu.ca); only individuals deemed qualified will be contacted for an interview.

Queen’s University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ persons. Queen’s has policies in place to support its employees with disabilities, including an Accommodation in the Workplace Policy and a policy on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee’s accessibility needs due to disability. The University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation during the interview process, please contact Dr. Magoski (magoski@queensu.ca).

Contact information:

magoski@queensu.ca

Dr. Neil Magoski
Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences
Botterell Hall, 18 Stuart Street
Queen’s University
Kingston, ON, Canada
K7L 3N6

Posting end date 2019/08/30

13th annual Canadian neuroscience meeting

Posted on | by Julie

Published on Eurekalert, April 15, 2019

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-04/cafn-1ac041519.php

The Scientific Program Committee, chaired by Paul Frankland and co-chair Ruth Slack, along with local chair Julie Lefebvre, have put together an exciting roster of scientific presentations, community building events and opportunities for networking and career development.

Scientific highlights of the 2019 meeting include plenary lectures by Michelle Monje, Jeffrey Mogil, Florian Engert, Robert Malenka and Guo-Li Ming. As usual, plenary symposia featuring prominent Canadian and international speakers, and the always diverse parallel symposia proposed by our members complete the CAN scientific program.

We warmly congratulate this year’s Young Investigator laureate, Dr. Blake Richards, from the University of Toronto at Scarsborough. Dr. Richards’ research explores the neural basis of deep learning. The goal of this work is to better understand the neurobiological basis of animal and human intelligence and provide new insights to help guide AI development. His laboratory has made several important contributions to mathematical models of learning and memory in the brain. Don’t miss the CAN Young Investigator award lecture to learn more about these exciting discoveries, on May 24th, 2019 at 5:30PM. https://can-acn.org/blake-richards-is-the-2019-can-young-investigator-awardee

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Dr. Richards will also host the CAN public lecture, on May 21 at 6:30PM which this year features a Canadian expert in Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Geoffrey Hinton, from the University of Toronto. This event will explore the use of artificial intelligence to understand how the brain computes. (https://can-acn.org/2019-public-lecture-geoffrey-hinton)

For news media only:

Press passes are available for accredited journalist to attend the Canadian Neuroscience Meeting. Please inquire on location at the registration desk.

Full program:

https://can-acn.org/2019-program

Public lecture, May 21 sith Geoffrey Hinton:

https://can-acn.org/2019-public-lecture-geoffrey-hinton

Blake Richards is the 2019 CAN Young Investigator awardee

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The Canadian Association for Neuroscience is proud to announce that Dr. Blake Richards, from University of Toronto at Scarborough, is the winner of the 2019 CAN Young Investigator Award

Published on Eurekalert April 15, 2019

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-04/cafn-bri041519.php

The Canadian Association for Neuroscience is proud to announce that Dr. Blake Richards, from University of Toronto at Scarborough, is the winner of the 2019 CAN Young Investigator Award. This award recognizes his outstanding research achievements at the intersection of neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Dr. Richards will receive this prize on May 24, 2019 in Toronto, during the 13th Annual Canadian Neuroscience Meeting.

“Dr. Blake Richards’ work provides an interdisciplinary perspective, mixing theory and experiments to a degree that is truly rare, despite its importance for moving neuroscience forward in the coming decades. […] I am confident that he will continue his upward trajectory and emerge as one of the world’s leaders in computational techniques for understanding the brain.”

Melanie A. Woodin
Professor, Department of Cell and System Biology
Vice-Dean, Interdivisional Partnerships – Faculty of Arts and Science
University of Toronto

Dr. Richards’ research program focuses on neural computation, learning, and artificial intelligence (AI). Using a combination of computational modelling and advanced neuroscience and brain imaging approaches, his lab is exploring the neural basis of deep learning. The goal of this work is to better understand the neurobiological basis of animal and human intelligence and provide new insights to help guide AI development.

His laboratory has made several important contributions to mathematical models of learning and memory in the brain. These have provided new insights on the process of memory consolidation, learning in the brain and by machines, and how brain structures permit deep learning in real brains. This theoretical work has been well-recognized in both the neuroscience and AI communities, and Dr. Richards is considered a leading researcher at this disciplinary intersection. AI is currently being revolutionized with brain-inspired mechanisms.

“Despite all the progress in AI, the real brain is still the most sophisticated learning device on Earth, and no AI can yet match the general-purpose intelligence of humans. At the same time, AI can help us to revolutionize our understanding of the brain, providing means for analyzing and interpreting previously uninterpretable aspects of the biological basis of intelligence. Dr. Richards is uniquely well poised to conduct research at the interface of neuroscience and AI, thanks to his background as both a computer scientist and an experimental neuroscientist. Very few researchers in this world possess his ability to speak the languages of both machine learning and neuroscience so fluently.”

Yoshua Bengio
Scientific Director of the Mila, Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute
Full Professor, Department of Computer Science and Operations Research,
Université de Montréal

“His program of research positions him between the disciplines of AI, neurophysiology and behavioral neuroscience. It is in these spaces – the gaps between traditional research disciplines – that there is enormous scientific opportunity. Blake ably straddles these multiples fields, and he is already exploiting the riches of such an advantageous position.”

Paul Frankland, Senior Scientist
Canada Research Chair in Cognitive Neurobiology
Professor, Departments of Psychology, Physiology and Institute of Medical Science
University of Toronto

Dr. Richards has received several awards and recognitions for his contributions. In 2016 he was awarded a Google Faculty Research award for his research on memory and reinforcement learning; in 2017 he became a Fellow of the CIFAR (Canadian Institute for Advanced Research) Learning in Machines and Brains Program; in 2018 he received an Early Career Researcher Award from the Government of Ontario; and most recently he was nominated as a Faculty Affiliate to the Vector Institute for AI. These recognitions are in addition to the funding he has received for his research from several highly competitive sources, including the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Human Frontier Science Program, the Allen Institute for Brain Science, and Google. Most recently, Dr. Richards was awarded one of 29 Canada CIFAR AI Chairs as part of the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy.

In addition to his research contributions, Dr. Richards has been an active member of the neuroscience and AI communities. Together with Dr. Timothy Lillicrap from Google DeepMind, he organized a workshop on deep learning and neuroscience at the 2016 Computational and Systems Neuroscience Conference (COSYNE). He also co-organized a Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) Brain Symposium last year, which brought together neuroscientists and machine learning experts, and which has sparked several new, interdisciplinary collaborations in the Canadian research community. And, more recently, he helped to organize a breakout session on memory consolidation at the 2018 Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience Conference in Philadelphia. Finally, Dr. Richards is recognized, by all who have worked with him in a laboratory, as a natural leader who truly enjoys mentorship.

Dr. Richards has shared his discoveries outside the scientific community, through numerous interviews to the popular press (including The New York Times, The Independent, The BBC, and NPR), and speaking arrangements at public events such as Pint of Science and NeuroTechX. He is always engaging and easy to understand in his public appearances and can act as a great ambassador for research into the links between AI and neuroscience. He has graciously accepted to host the 2019 CAN Public lecture with Geoffrey Hinton on May 21, 2019 in Toronto.

Dr. Blake Richards is an exceptional young investigator, whose work seamlessly integrates advanced neuroscience, neuroimaging, computational and artificial intelligence approaches to advance our understanding of the brain, but also to contribute to the development of artificial intelligence. The Canadian Association for Neuroscience is very proud to name him the 2019 CAN Young Investigator.

Visit the Learning in Neural Circuits (LiNC) Laboratory website: linclab.org

Learn more on the 2019 CAN Young Investigator webpage: https://can-acn.org/blake-richards-is-the-2019-can-young-investigator-awardee

For news media only:

Press passes are available for accredited journalists to attend Dr. Blake Richard’s CAN Young Investigator lecture, May 24th at 5:30 PM at the Sheraton Toronto Centre Hotel. Inquire by email at info@can-acn.org or at the meeting registration desk.

Tenure-Track Faculty Position, Open to rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in Neuroscience – McGill University

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RL#: 16018A-160429

Tenure-Track Faculty Position
Open to rank of Assistant or Associate Professor
Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in Neuroscience

Faculty: Faculty of Medicine
Department/School: Department of Psychiatry

The Canada Research Chair is also open to internal candidates who already hold a tenure-track or tenured faculty position at McGill University.

Position Description

The Department of Psychiatry at McGill and the Douglas Hospital Research Centre are currently inviting applications for a tenure-track faculty position in the field of neuroscience and mental health at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor.

This position is part of the Healthy Brains for Healthy Lives (HBHL) initiative, which is a high profile, high priority multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral initiative located at McGill University made possible with support from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). HBHL builds on McGill’s scientific excellence and global leadership in neuroscience.

The Douglas Hospital Research Centre brings together scientists and clinicians spanning a full range of mental health research, including neuroscience, clinical, services, policy, and epidemiology/population health. It is integrated within the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, a psychiatric hospital, and the much larger Montreal West-Island Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre, offering significant opportunities for carrying out collaborative research with various nearby mental health services.

The neuroscience community at McGill and in greater Montreal is one of the largest and most diverse in North America. Montreal offers an extremely high quality of life and is one of the most multicultural and lively cities in North America.

The successful candidate who satisfies the eligibility conditions of the Canada Research Chair (CRC) program may be supported by the University for nomination to a Tier 2 Chair in Neuroscience, which
provides protected time for research within a full-time academic appointment.

Nominees for Tier 2 Chair positions must be emerging scholars and hold the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, or possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed to these levels. A nominee who is more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree and has experienced legitimate career interruptions (e.g., maternity or parental leave, extended sick leave, clinical training, and family care) will be taken into consideration using the Tier 2 justification process:

http://www.chairschaires.gc.ca/program-programme/nomination-mise_en_candidature-eng.aspx#s3

Eligibility conditions for CRCs are on the CRC Program website: http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/nomination-mise_en_candidature-eng.aspx#s2

Job Duties

  • Participate actively in all aspects of McGill’s academic mission (research, teaching, supervision of graduate students, and involvement in academic and administrative committees).
  • Conduct cutting-edge, externally funded independent research on animal models to study mechanisms of mental health. Candidates with research interests in neurodevelopment,neuroplasticity, neuroinflammation, epigenetics, or societal influences (e.g. stress, addiction) are particularly encouraged to apply. A methodological focus in phenogenomics and/or rodent brain mapping strategies would be an advantage.
  • Develop a leading profile in neuroscience, pursuing local and international collaborative links to advance the mission of the Douglas Research Centre and the goals of McGill’s Healthy Brains for Healthy Lives initiative.
  • Be successful in securing external grant funding and maintaining a stimulating and inclusive training environment that will attract strong trainees from diverse backgrounds.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

  • Applicants must have a PhD in Neuroscience, Health Science, or related fields with advanced PostDoctoral training.
  • A record of research / scholarly activity will be considered an asset.
  • Candidates who do not satisfy the CRC eligibility criteria for a Tier 2 Chair are nonetheless invited to apply for the position.

Applications must be submitted: http://www.mcgill.ca/medicine-academic/positionsavailable

The following supporting documents are required:

  • A cover letter and curriculum vitae;
  • A statement of research;
  • The names and contact information of three referees. For Tier 2 nominees at the rank of Assistant Professor who are within three years of their PhD, one referee must be the PhD supervisor.

Download a PDF version of this advertisement: psychiatry_crc2_neuroscience_rl16018a-160429

Canadian Artificial Intelligence pioneers win the 2019 Turing Award

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Congratulations to Geoffrey Hinton (University of Toronto), Joshua Bengio (Université de Montréal) and Yann LeCun (Boston University) who have won the 2019 Turing award for their work to understand neural networks using artificial intelligence and deep learning.   The Turing Award is an annual prize given by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) to an individual selected for contributions “of lasting and major technical importance to the computer field”.  The award is accompanied by a $1 million USD prize, to be shared by the three winners.

Read more on the Association for Computing Machinery website

Fathers of the Deep Learning Revolution Receive ACM A.M. Turing Award
Bengio, Hinton and LeCun Ushered in Major Breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence

Geoffrey Hinton will be present at the CAN meeting on May 21, 2019, where he will present the CAN annual public lecture, which will be hosted by Blake Richards, from the University of Toronto. More here.