Category: Trainee opportunities

Post-Doctoral Researcher Positions are available to work on a newly funded Neuropsychiatry Team Research Program at the University of Western Ontario. Our program will be investigating the effects of adolescent exposure to nicotine on increased risk for developing mood and anxiety disorders in later life (see Addiction Biology, 26(2):e12891; Cerebral Cortex, 29:3140-3153; Neuropsychopharmacology, 39:2799-815, Drug Alcohol Depend, 215:108215). Experiments will comprise an integrative combination of functional brain imaging with fMRI, connectomics using diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy measuring neurotransmitter levels in various neural targets of interest, including the prefrontal cortex and ventral striatum. Studies will also use genomic approaches to examine and identify genetic biomarkers for nicotine-related and mood/anxiety disorder risks. Research will be conducted in patient populations with histories of adolescent nicotine exposure and mood/anxiety disorders selected from local clinics.

Selected applicants will have the opportunity to learn multiple neuroscience and neuropsychiatry-based research techniques while working in a team of leading experts in the fields of neuroimaging, neurodevelopment, behavioural neuroscience, genomics and mood/anxiety disorders.

We encourage applications from candidates with expertise in clinical neuropsychiatry, preferably with backgrounds in neuroimaging and/or genomic analyses.

Interested applicants should send expressions of interest and a current C.V. to: AddictionResearchGroup@protonmail.com

Post-Doctoral Researcher Positions are available to work on a newly funded Neuropsychiatry Team Research Program at the University of Western Ontario. Our program will be investigating the effects of adolescent exposure to nicotine on increased risk for developing mood and anxiety disorders in later life (see Addiction Biology, 26(2):e12891; Cerebral Cortex, 29:3140-3153; Neuropsychopharmacology, 39:2799-815, Drug Alcohol Depend, 215:108215). Experiments will comprise an integrative combination of studies using pre-clinical rodent models (nicotine vaping exposure), neuroimaging, behavioural pharmacology, molecular analyses and in vivo neuronal electrophysiology. Pre-clinical studies will be translated into human imaging studies (magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging, fMRI and genomic analyses) in patient populations with histories of adolescent nicotine exposure and mood/anxiety disorders.

Selected applicants will have the opportunity to learn multiple neuroscience and neuropsychiatry-based research techniques while working in a team of leading experts in the fields of neuroimaging, neurodevelopment, behavioural neuroscience, genomics and mood/anxiety disorders. We encourage applications from candidates with expertise in pre-clinical fields of neuroscience, preferably with backgrounds in translational neuropsychiatry research, behavioural pharmacology and neuronal electrophysiology.

Interested applicants should send expressions of interest and a current C.V. to: AddictionResearchGroup@protonmail.com

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to advance projects within our lab studying the molecular mechanisms driving brain dysfunction after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). In particular, we are interested in discovering novel molecular mechanisms associated with trauma which may reflect clinicopathology and/or serve as potential biomarkers.

This position will involve studies using human brain tissue, mouse models, Stereotaxic animal surgery,  mammalian cell culture, and thus our lab emphasizes the importance of translational science. The successful candidate will develop a novel research project using these materials to further our understanding of mild traumatic brain injury, and will contextualize findings to other projects within the lab and across collaborations.

The postdoctoral researcher in this lab will receive strong mentorship and career support, along with a competitive postdoctoral salary and benefits package. There is opportunity for travel to national and international conferences with a successfully funded project.

Qualifications:

• PhD in relevant biological sciences field of study (neuroscience preferred)
• Research expertise and hands-on experience with the following: experimental design, nucleic acid and protein assays, microscopy/imaging techniques, animal studies, mammalian cell culture, single cell sequencing .
• Expertise and knowledge about cellular senescence, fat metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction and/or role of BRCA1 in brain will be also an asset
• Preferred (not required, but an asset) skills: bioinformatic data analysis, R programming language
• Ability to work both independently with minimal supervision and in a team setting (collaborative in nature)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (must be able to present project ideas and data effectively to experts and non-experts)
• Track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Experience with grant writing (including budgets) is an asset

Responsibilities:

• Initiate new projects in the lab and collect/interpret data for grants (CIHR) and publications
• Get involved with ongoing lab projects as much as possible, providing scientific expertise and technical assistance where needed
• Collect data for CIHR and other grants, assist in grant writing including budgets
• Assist graduate students in the lab with projects
• Assist with regulatory paperwork such as REBs, AUPs, SOPs, and lab notebooks.

If you are interested, please send your CV and cover letter to lili-naz.hazrati@mcgill.ca with the contact information for two references.

We are looking for several postdoctoral fellows to join the Kebschull Lab at the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, USA. These NIH-funded positions are for postdocs to develop new tools to integrate barcoded connectivity tracing, gene expression, and function in the zebra finch brain or bring barcoded connectomics to NHPs and tackle questions in circuit evolution.

In the lab, we develop and apply cutting-edge molecular and neuroanatomical tools to study how brain circuits change over the course of an animal’s lifetime in disease and over the course of evolution. We specialize in barcode sequencing-based high-throughput connectomics (e.g. BRICseq, MAPseq) and in situ sequencing. Recent relevant papers include Kebschull et al. 2020 Science, Huang et al. 2020 Cell, Han et al. 2018 Nature, and Kebschull et al. 2016 Neuron.

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) in neuroscience, molecular biology, biomedical engineering or a related field. The ideal candidate should have molecular biology and some bioinformatics skills and be passionate about tool development and the songbird or NHP research. Previous experience in either system is not required. We particularly encourage applications from any underrepresented or minority group.

Our lab is located on the School of Medicine Campus of Johns Hopkins University, surrounded by world-class neuroscience and biomedical engineering labs. We are committed to establishing a first-class, stimulating, diverse, and equitable environment in our new lab to allow you to flourish, achieve your goals, and further your career.

Contact information

Qualified applicants should send a letter describing their current and future research interests, their CV, and names and contact details for three references to kebschull@jhu.edu. More information is available on https://www.kebschull-lab.org/.

Nature of the Work: 

The Faculty of Science has been catalyzing change and inspiring discovery, creativity, and innovation for over 50 years. Our strategic direction integrates current and emerging strengths with areas targeted for future growth and investment. Our strategic priorities, goals, and values guide our mission to advance research, scholarship, and innovation, create authentic learning experiences, and inspire careers of the future. We fuel transformational change, and build a strong community through teaching, learning, research, scholarship, and collaborative partnerships. We do this work to generate curiosity-drive discovery and contribute solutions to society’s grand challenges. For more information, visit science.ucalgary.ca.

We thrive in the dynamic context of the University of Calgary, one of Canada’s most youthful and innovative universities. We are a bold and ambitious research university, grounded in innovative learning and teaching, fully engaged in Calgary’s entrepreneurial spirit.

This is a full-time fixed term appointment, part of the AUPE Bargaining Unit.

Primary Purpose of the Position: 

The postdoctoral researcher is responsible for performing experimental research on detecting ultra-weak photon emission from        biological samples. The candidate will plan, perform and analyze experiments on biological samples using single-photon detection systems. The candidate’s tasks will be based at the National Research Council of Canada in Ottawa with occasional research visits to U. Calgary.  These two sites are home to teams with expertise in biophoton detection/theory and neuroscience applications, who will jointly mentor and supervise the candidate. The candidate is expected to support the development of funding and attracting graduate   students to ensure continued growth in the area of quantum biology. The incumbent will be expected to also present research accomplishments and findings in internal and external meetings, conferences, reports and publications.

Qualifications/Expertise Required: 

• A PhD in neuroscience, biology or related fields is required
• Experience in operating optical imaging equipment and image analysis tools and software
• Experience in preparing and maintaining in vitro biological cell preparations (ideally dissociated cultures and brain slices)
• An asset would be experience in assessing effect of pharmacological agents on cells and tissues, preferably neuronal in origin
• An asset would be experience in theoretical and experimental aspects of light emission from biological systems
• An asset would be knowledge of quantum mechanics.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Capable of assisting expansion and development of research projects in biophoton research
• A high level of effective time and project management, personal initiative, communications skills and teamwork
• Majority of job tasks will be performed on-site at National Research Council (NRC) in Ottawa
• Position requires flexibility to occasionally visit U. Calgary for research collaboration
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally
• Knowledge of university policies and procedures is an asset.

Accountabilities/Tasks and Duties:  

Technical:

The candidate will primarily be responsible for operation of an experimental setup designed to detect single   photons (biophotons) from biological samples. Biological samples to be investigated will include living tadpoles and various neuron culture assemblies. Biophoton emission will be investigated using pharmacological and possibly electrophysiological approaches. The incumbent will also be responsible for the analysis and interpretation of the data, working with the teams at U. Calgary and the NRC. The incumbent will design, implement, and consult with the Principal Investigator on projects and programs. The candidate will be expected to identify and pursue new research opportunities aligned with the overall vision of the lab.

Mentorship/Coaching:

The candidate will provide training of undergraduate and graduate students in experimental and theoretical   research techniques, as well as presentation skills(written and oral).

Publishing/Presenting Research: 

• Publish/present research accomplishments at both the national and international level, including in high impact/selective academic journals.
• Prepare manuscripts describing findings for submission for publication, and lead process of responding to referees/editors during the peer review process.

Occupational Health& Safety: 

• Understands and complies with the requirements of the University’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy
• Has knowledge of and understands the expectations of the University’s Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) and applicable Faculty/Departmental/Unit specific health and safety policies and procedures
• Ensures that all work conducted is in accordance with the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code and other health and safety legislation as applicable

Position posting at UCalgary

https://science.careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/10577986-post-doctoral-scholar-physics-and-astronomy-and-cell-biology-and-anatomy

The Khokhar Lab (www.khokharlab.com) researches the interactions between substance use and serious mental illness, with an eye toward treatment of these disorders using a variety of behavioural and circuit-interrogation methods. The Post-doctoral Fellow will conduct brain imaging and behavioural experiments assessing the effects of alcohol/cannabis use and chemogenetic or pharmacologic manipulation in a rat model of schizophrenia or during development (CRC and CIHR-funded grant).

Previous training and experience with pre-clinical MRI imaging (e.g., fMRI, DTI, MRS) is preferred. In addition, any experience with schizophrenia (e.g., pre-pulse inhibition) and addiction-like behaviours (e.g., self-administration) would be beneficial. The Post-doctoral fellow will also provide input with respect to appropriate methodology, procedures, equipment and standards to produce required research data and apply specialized knowledge and principles to review, appraise and interpret published literature, summarize research findings, and draft scientific/technical reports, manuscripts, grant proposals while establishing and maintaining effective relationships with lab members, and presenting research findings (may include presenting findings at conferences).

Minimum Qualifications: PhD degree in Neuroscience or Medical Biophysics, with related research experience (pre-clinical MRI Imaging and Behavioural methods above).

The successful applicant will be encouraged to apply to extramural funding, but funding is in place for renewal of contract beyond the first year. The expected start date is as soon as possible. The position will remain open until filled. Please indicate in your application if you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.

How to apply

Please send a cover letter/statement of interest, current CV, and a list of 3 references to Dr. Jibran Khokhar at jkhokha@uwo.ca. We will notify applicants before contacting any references.