Category: Graduate Student Opportunities

General Neurologists & Stroke Neurologists – Windsor Regional Hospital

Posted on | by Julie

Our client, Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH), is a multi-faceted health services organization operating from two main sites, the Metropolitan Campus and the Ouellette Campus. With 500 beds and an operating budget of over half a billion dollars, WRH is the regional provider of advanced care in areas that include complex trauma, renal dialysis, cardiac care, stroke and neurosurgery, intensive care, acute mental health, family birthing centre, neonatal intensive care, paediatric services, and regional cancer services. WRH provides a broad range of medical and surgical services required to support these specialized areas for more than 400,000 people in Windsor and Essex County.

With increasing volumes, program development, and growing demands for service, WRH is seeking top tier General Neurologists and Stroke Neurologists to join their team. This is an exceptional opportunity to join an innovative, collegial, and mutually respectful team to contribute to neurology service delivery excellence.

Full time and part time opportunities are available. WRH is also interested in recruiting subspecialty neurologists to bring unique skills to the group and community.

As a designated Enhanced District Stroke Centre, Windsor Regional Hospital provides specialized services for stroke and TIA patients offering timely hyper-acute treatments like tPA and endovascular therapy (Thrombectomy and Coiling), as well as neurosurgical services. The hospital has neurologists, neurosurgeons, and interventional radiologists on staff providing expert care for stroke patients. Following intervention and post procedure recovery and stabilization in the ICU, patients are transferred to the Acute Stroke Unit, a designated 16-bed unit dedicated to the care of Stroke patients. Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services for Windsor-Essex are offered locally through Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare. Outpatient Rehab options direct from hospital also includes the Intensive Hospital to Home Rehab program and E-Rehab services provided through the Erie St. Clair LHIN.

Physicians at WRH have the opportunity to educate and mentor residents from the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, with professional staff members eligible to hold a University appointment.

Candidates must be certified, or eligible for certification, by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Neurology and hold, or be eligible for, licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Offering great flexibility and work/life balance, these positions include an attractive compensation and relocation incentive package.

The Windsor-Essex area is ecologically rich with extensive parkland combined with a southwest location that extends warm weather activities such a golfing, gardening, and water sports. Windsor offers the unique opportunities of a larger metropolitan area and the benefits of a smaller community. Living directly across the border from Detroit, Michigan places you on a cosmopolitan stage where arts, culture, big league sports, and entertainment are just moments away. Best of all, you can enjoy access to all of these big-city advantages while living in the tranquility and beauty of the Windsor region.

Please forward a CV in confidence to:

Robb Callaghan, E-mail: rcallaghan@medfall.com

Download a PDF version of this advertisement:    Ad-WRH-General-and-Stroke-Neurologists-Canada.pdf

Master’s and PhD positions available in visual neuroscience at Université de Montréal.

Posted on | by Julie

The Neurophotonics lab of the School of Optometry of the University of Montreal is looking for students interested to start a MSc or a PhD in Vision Sciences, Neuroscience or Biomedical Engineering. Our projects focus on the plasticity of cortical maps and functional connectivity in different models of blindness and stroke affecting visual functions. We are also interested in the spatial coding of information in the context of Brain/Machine interfaces and the development of neuroprosthesis to restore vision.
We use a platform for measuring and manipulating brain functions in mice performing visual cognitive tasks in combination with neurophotonic approaches such as calcium imaging (macroscopic or multi-photon) or optogenetics.
We are also interested in the development of technologies applied to neuroscience, in collaboration with companies.

The support of the lab (CIHR, NSERC) will guarantee a scholarship for students who do not yet have the support of funding organizations.

To apply:

  1. You will need to have training or lab experience in at least one of the disciplines below:
    – Neurophysiology (including calcium imaging, electrophysiology, …)
    – Computational Neuroscience
    – Behavioral measurement in animals
    – Biomedical Engineering
  2. You must have a preliminary experience in data analysis (with Matlab or Python ideally)

Contact information Send your CV and cover letter (and any other documents you think could be relevant: transcript, achievement, etc.) to Matthieu Vanni: matthieu.vanni@umontreal.ca

Master’s and PhD graduate student positions (Neuroscience) – University of Saskatchewan

Posted on | by Julie

We are inviting applications for Master’s and PhD students in behavioural and systems neuroscience at the University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan).

Our Research:
The Botterill laboratory has two major research pillars, including a basic science pillar focused on studying the cells and circuits that support learning, memory, and affective behaviours and a health sciences pillar focused on studying the neurobiological mechanisms of temporal lobe epilepsy and its treatment. Our research programs primarily focus on the dentate gyrus subfield of the hippocampus to study how hilar mossy cells, dentate granule cells (including adult-born neurons), and GABAergic interneurons influence hippocampal function in health and disease.

Methods:

  1. Mouse stereotaxic surgery for injections of adeno-associated viruses (AAV), electrode recording assemblies, optic fibers, and cannulae for drug infusions, etc.
  2. Gain- and loss-of function manipulations via optogenetics and Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs)
  3. Mouse models of epilepsy (pilocarpine, kainic acid)
  4. 24/7 video electroencephalography (EEG) recordings in freely behaving mice
  5. Slice electrophysiology (whole cell patch clamp & extracellular field recordings)
  6. Mouse behavioural testing
  7. Behavioural pharmacology
  8. Biochemistry
  9. Epifluorescence and confocal microscopy

Eligibility requirements:

  • Strong academic record
  • Interest in behavioural neuroscience and/or epilepsy research
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Experience in rodent handling / behavioural neuroscience is preferred.
  • The ideal candidate will have experience with AAV injections, in vivo optogenetics, slice electrophysiology, and/or video EEG data collection & analysis.

Funding:
Successful candidates will receive graduate student stipends commensurate with the standard stipend amounts for graduate students in the Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology in the College of Medicine. Candidates will be expected to apply to the College of Medicine’s Graduate Student Award (CoMGrad) and Tri-council competitions (e.g., NSERC or CIHR).

Important dates:
Deadline: June 1, 2023. Start date: September 1, 2023

Additional information:
Google Scholar Publications: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?hl=en&user=VL_1ODIAAAAJ
Botterill Laboratory Website: https://research-groups.usask.ca/botterillneurolab/index.php
Anatomy, Physiology, & Pharmacology website (for program details and tuition costs):
https://grad.usask.ca/programs/anatomy-physiology-pharmacology.php

Contact information

Contact information:

We welcome applications from qualified candidates and strongly encourage applications from individuals belonging to groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in the sciences. Applications will be reviewed until the positions are filled.

Please contact Justin Botterill (j.botterill@usask.ca) with the following information:

  1. A brief statement of research interests and goals
  2. A copy of your curriculum vitae (CV) with at least 2 references.
  3. A copy of your unofficial transcripts.
  4. Please indicate whether you are a Canadian Citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.

Posting end date

2023/06/01

 

Funded Graduate Student Positions at the University of Manitoba

Posted on | by Julie

Multiple graduate student positions (M.Sc., Ph.D.) are available in the laboratory of Dr. Tabrez Siddiqui at the University of Manitoba. The Siddiqui lab’s multidisciplinary research program encompasses the molecular, systems and behavioural branches of neuroscience to investigate neuronal circuit organization, plasticity and network integration. Our goals are to generate transformative knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of synapse development and function in both the developing and mature brain, provide conceptual advances in understanding the mechanisms governing enduring changes in synaptic properties (plasticity) that underlie cognitive function and associative learning, and determine how synapses are specified in the mammalian brain to provide the framework for understanding the molecular logic of circuit organization and associated behaviours. The Siddiqui lab is also actively pursuing translational goals in uncovering synaptic regulatory mechanisms and targets in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Excellent academic standing
  2. Strong work ethic and interest in discovery science
  3. Experience or interest in using animal models
  4. Research experience is an asset
  5. Excellent written and oral communication skills

The positions are fully funded with standard stipends commensurate with the University of Manitoba guidelines and Departmental bylaws. Successful students will be admitted to the Physiology graduate program, but may be considered for the Biomedical Engineering program.

This search will close on January 20, 2023.

Please send the following the documents to Dr. Siddiqui by email

  1. Cover letter explaining your background, interests, and training, and why you will be a good fit for the Siddiqui lab research program.
  2. CV
  3. Transcripts

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, however only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Max Rady College of Medicine
Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology
Neuroscience Research Program
Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine
Health Sciences Centre
SR422-710 William Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0Z3
Phone: 1.204.318.2564

 

Email: tabrez.siddiqui@umanitoba.ca

https://umanitoba.ca

Siddiqui Lab Publications can be accessed here.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Tabrez+j+siddiqui&sort=date

Some of our recent published studies are listed below

  1. Dhume S.H., Karimi B., Roppongi R.T. Connor, S.A., Mills, F., Tari, P.K., Oku, S., Bamji, S.X., Wang, Y.T., Brose, N., and Craig, A.M., Siddiqui, T.J., Distinct but overlapping roles of LRRTM1 and LRRTM2 in developing and mature hippocampal circuits, Elife. (2022) Jun 6;11:e64742. doi: 10.7554/eLife.64742.0: 0.
  2. Karimi B, Silwal P, Booth S, Padmanabhan N, Dhume S, Zhang D, Zahra N, Jackson MF, Kirouac GJ, Ko JH, and Siddiqui T.J.*, Schizophrenia-associated LRRTM1 regulates cognitive function through controlling synaptic activity in the mediodorsal thalamus, Molecular Psychiatry, 2021May 12. doi: 10.1038/s41380-021-01146-6
  3. Roppongi RT#, Dhume S#, Padmanabhan N#, Silwal P, Zahra N, Bomkamp C, Pati Cl, Karimi B, Champagne-Jorgensen K, Twilley RE, Zhang P, Jackson MJ, and Siddiqui TJ, LRRTMs organize synapses through differential engagement of neurexin and PTPσ, Neuron (2020), Apr 8; 106 (1):108-125.e12. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.01.003 (# co-first authors)
  4. Sinha R, Siddiqui TJ, Padmanabhan N, Wallin J, Zhang C, Karimi B, Fred Rieke, Craig AM, Wong RO, and Hoon M, LRRTM4: a novel regulator of presynaptic inhibitory and dyad output synapses of retinal bipolar neurons, Neuron (2020), Mar 18;105(6):1007- 1017.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.12.028.
  5. Zhang Z, Pines MK, Oku S, Ge Y, Siddiqui TJ, Wu W, Archer-Hartmann S, Azadi P, Gordon MD, and Craig AM. (2018). Heparan Sulfate Organizes Neuronal Synapses Through Neurexin Partnerships. Cell 174(6): 1450-1464.

tabrez.siddiqui@umanitoba.ca

Tabrez J. Siddiqui, PhD

Associate Professor of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba.

Principal Investigator, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba.

Principal Investigator, Neuroscience Research Program,

Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine, Health Sciences Centre.
SR422-710 William Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 0Z3, Manitoba, Canada.
Phone: 1. 204.318.2564

https://umanitoba.ca/medicine/faculty-staff/tabrez-siddiqui

Twitter: @siddiquilab

The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.

Graduate student position – University of Lethbridge

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Description: We are looking for graduate students (Master’s and/or Ph.D. levels) to help build UHF-based Internet of Things (IoT) system that will be used as a Brain-Machine Interface device. Projects will be related to our recent work:

 

Challenges of a small world analysis for the continuous monitoring of behaviour in mice. Neuroscience and Behavioral Reviews 2022 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763422001105

Miniaturized head-mounted microscope for whole-cortex mesoscale imaging in freely behaving mice. Nature Methods 2021 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41592-021-01104-8

The project is a collaborative effort between the research groups of Majid Mohajerani (http://lethbridgebraindynamics.com/majid-mohajerani/) and Dr. Robert Sutherland. Successful candidates will join the highly collaborative and interdisciplinary Canadian Centre for Neuroengineering Solutions and Brain Dynamics Group. We are located close to the Rocky Mountains, Lethbridge has the largest number of sunny days in Canada, and it is the most affordable city for young people in Canada (https://dailyhive.com/calgary/alberta-city-most-affordable-young-people ).

Requirements: Only applicants with previous experience working in UHF-based antenna design and software-defined radio systems are encouraged to apply.

The applications review will start on Oct 1st till the positions are filled. Interested applicants must send an email to Dr. Mohajerani (mohajerani@uleth.ca) and include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a brief statement of research interests, and the contact information of three references.

ERC-funded project: neural control of locomotion before and after spinal cord injury in salamanders – Graduate student position

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PROJECT: Salamanders can swim underwater and walk on ground. Their spinal cord regenerates after a full transection and the animal recovers voluntary locomotion after a few weeks. How this occurs is largely unknown. Genetic dissection of salamander neural circuits is now feasible with methods for manipulation, elimination, and visualization of genetically-defined cells. Such approaches can be combined with patch-clamp electrophysiology, calcium imaging, optogenetics, tracing and movement analysis (Ryczko et al. 2020 Trends in Neurosciences, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2020.08.006). The candidate will use electrophysiology (patch-clamp recordings), calcium imaging and movement analysis based on deep learning and neuroanatomy to study salamander locomotor circuits. This project is funded by a synergy grant of the ERC. The work will be carried out in collaboration with a team of modelers and roboticists (Pr. Ijspeert, EPFL, Switzerland) and experts in genomics (Pr. Simon, Karolinska Institute, Sweden).

REQUIREMENTS: The candidate should have completed a MSc in neuroscience. The ideal candidate would have experience in electrophysiology, calcium imaging, optogenetics, virus injections, deep learning-based movement analysis, matlab scripting, and a keen interest in motor control.

HOST LABORATORY: The lab of Dr. Ryczko has expertise in the neural control of locomotion and publishes in excellent journals (PNAS, Science, Science Robotics, Journal of Neuroscience…). The lab receives grant support by the CIHR, NSERC, FRQS, CFI and ERC. We are equipped for patch-clamp recordings, confocal and two photon calcium imaging, optogenetics, viral injections, deep learning-based movement analysis, and microscopy (confocal, light-sheet, two-photon, STED).

APPLY: Candidates should send a letter of interest explaining how they would fit, a CV, a record of their academic results and three references at: dimitri.ryczko@usherbrooke.ca. Please specify where you found the job post.

Postdoc and graduate students (Master’s and/or Ph.D. levels) positions at intersection of AI and Neuroscience – University of Lethbridge

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Description: We are looking for postdocs and graduate students (Master’s and/or Ph.D. levels) to use inspirations from neuroscience to make better AI and conversely to apply AI to better understand brain function and behaviour. Projects will be related to our recent work:

Neurons learn by predicting future activity. Nature Machine Intelligence 2022 https://www.nature.com/articles/s42256-021-00430-y

Predictive neuronal adaptation as a basis for consciousness. Front in Sys Neurosci 2022 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnsys.2021.767461/full

Miniaturized head-mounted microscope for whole-cortex mesoscale imaging in freely behaving mice. Nature Methods 2021 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41592-021-01104-8

A Matlab-based toolbox for characterizing behavior of rodents engaged in string-pulling. Elife 2020 https://elifesciences.org/articles/54540

Challenges of a small world analysis for the continuous monitoring of behavior in mice. Neuroscience and Behavioral Reviews 2022 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763422001105

Data-driven analyses of motor impairments in animal models of neurological disorders. PLoS Biology 2019 https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3000516

The project is a collaborative effort between the research groups of Majid Mohajerani (http://lethbridgebraindynamics.com/majid-mohajerani/) and Artur Luczak (http://lethbridgebraindynamics.com/artur-luczak/). Successful candidates will join the highly collaborative and interdisciplinary Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience and Brain Dynamics group. We are located close to Rocky Mountains, Lethbridge has the largest number of sunny days in Canada, and it is the most affordable city for young people in Canada (https://dailyhive.com/calgary/alberta-city-most-affordable-young-people ).

The applications review will start on Aug 15th till the positions are filled. Interested applicants must send an email to Dr Mohajerani (mohajerani@uleth.ca) and Dr. Luczak (luczak@uleth.ca) and include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a brief statement of research interests, and contact information of three references.

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