Category: Trainee opportunities

Post Doc Position-Neurotrophic mechanisms in brain diseases – Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto

Posted on | by Julie

Reduced brain cell structure and function contributes to cognitive symptoms in depression, Alzheimer’s disease and other brain disorders, and during aging. Current efforts aimed at developing therapeutic agents to reverse these deficits focus on excitatory or neurotrophic mechanisms, but have had limited translation to effective therapeutics potential, identifying a world-leading unmet clinical need with significant impact on patients, family, society and healthcare.

The Neurobiology of Depression and Aging program (www.NDA-sibille.ca) is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to investigate the cellular mechanisms of novel neurotrophic approaches, using cell-based and rodent models. The NDA program investigates the molecular bases of psychiatric disorders and develop novel therapeutic avenues. It is located at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Canada’s largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital. CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.

Qualifications:

The candidate will have a PhD in Neuroscience, Neuropharmacology or a related discipline, with demonstrated expertise in molecular neuroscience, including primary neuron culture and in vivo rodent models. Experience with methods related to molecular biology (plasmid DNA handling, qPCR, Western blot, proteome analysis, recombinant virus handling etc.), pharmacology, immunohistochemistry and imaging (confocal microscopy, morphometric analysis) is preferred.
The successful candidate will have a track record that demonstrates competence in publishing in high impact peer reviewed journals, disseminating research at formal scientific meetings, writing grant proposals and participation in the education of students and trainees. The successful candidate will also possess strong interpersonal, organizational and communication skill, and the ability to work both independently and in a team. The ability to interact with populations of diverse ethno-racial and cultural backgrounds is also required.

Please note: This full-time position is NOT part of any bargaining unit.

Salary Range: Competitive Salary

Contact information

Send your application with cover letter and CV to: Etienne.sibille@camh.ca

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Posting end date: 2022/10/21

ERC-funded project: neural control of locomotion before and after spinal cord injury in salamanders – Post-doc 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, 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 PhD in neuroscience. The ideal candidate would have experience in patch-clamp electrophysiology, calcium imaging, optogenetics, virus injections, deep learning-based movement analysis, or matlab scripting, and a keen interest in motor control.

HOST LABORATORY: The lab of Dr. Ryczko (https://ryczkolab.wordpress.com/) has expertise in the neural control of locomotion and publishes in excellent journals (PNAS, 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 mention where you found the job post.

Postdoctoral positions available in neuroimmunology in Calgary, Canada

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The laboratory of Dr. Wee Yong (Pubmed: Yong VW or Wee Yong V) at the University of Calgary is recruiting postdoctoral fellows in neuroimmunology. The successful candidate is recently graduated or about to finish a PhD program. Available are several projects on the roles and mechanisms of neuroimmunology in mediating injury or recovery in multiple sclerosis. Please send your resume to vyong@ucalgary.ca. Calgary offers a world-class neuroscience program and superb indoor/outdoor activities.

https://live-cumming.ucalgary.ca/labs/reparative-neuroinflammation/home

Contact information:

Wee Yong

vyong@ucalgary.ca

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Post-doctoral fellow positions – Vulnerable Brain Lab at Western University

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The Vulnerable Brain Laboratory (www.vulnerablebrain.com), in the Dept. Anatomy and Cell Biology at Western University is a cross-disciplinary, translational lab interested in interrogating the role of microglia activation in aging and disease/injury. We are currently recruiting 1-2 post-doctoral fellows with interests developing assays aimed at using circulating brain extracellular vesicles as a diagnostic tool for measuring brain inflammation and cognitive impairment in cell, experimental animal, and human samples. Additionally, we are searching for candidates with interests in extracellular vesicle trafficking and release, and proteomic/lipidomic analysis of extracellular vesicles and their cargo.

Previous experience some of the following is preferred: rodent based stroke models, cell culture, rodent behaviour, molecular biology, microscopy, histology, and mass spectrometry, including mass spectrometry imaging.

Western University is strongly committed to principles related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (EDID). We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, including women, members of visible minorities, Aboriginal persons, members of sexual minorities and persons with disabilities.

Contact information

Please send a cover letter, CV, and a list of 3 references to Dr. Shawn Whitehead (shawn.whitehead@schulich.uwo.ca). We will notify applicants prior to contacting references.

 

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.

Postdoctoral positions in Systems Neuroscience-University of Calgary

Posted on | by Julie

The Sargin lab at the University of Calgary is seeking motivated scientists with experience and interest in Neurophysiology and Systems Neuroscience. The goal of our research program is to understand the long-term effects of early life stress on brain function. We have fully-funded two postdoctoral positions available to start immediately. The projects will focus on 1) the activity of neural circuits in mouse models with social deficits and 2) serotonin physiology in mouse models of Alzheimer’s Disease. We use a variety of multidisciplinary techniques including stereotaxic viral delivery, slice electrophysiology, in vivo calcium imaging, optogenetics and behavior.

Ideal candidates will have a PhD in Neuroscience, Physiology or related fields and experience with patch clamp electrophysiology. Strong background in neuroscience or physiology is required. Experience with photometry or optogenetics and mouse behavior is advantageous.

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. Our lab, department and university are committed to fostering and enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome all applicants of diverse backgrounds.

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

Contact information

derya.sargin@ucalgary.ca

Posting end date

2022/10/21

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

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

Postdoctoral Associate – Plasticity following sensory loss – Western University

Posted on | by Julie

The Neuroplasticity in Sensory Systems Lab (NiSSL.ca) at Western University is seeking a postdoctoral associate interested in how profound hearing loss gives rise to reorganized function in ‘auditory’ cortex. This may involve optogenetic/pharmacological methods to manipulate neural projections between brain areas, and the use of fiber photometry, extracellular electrophysiology and/or behaviour to quantify the effects. Previous experience in one or more of these approaches is considered an asset. The successful candidate will also be encouraged to develop independent projects that build upon the laboratory’s ongoing work.

Our lab is in the Department of Psychology and the Brain and Mind Institute, and is part of highly- productive and interdisciplinary group of researchers spanning a wide breadth of topics in cognitive neuroscience. We strongly value the principles of open science, and collaboration across labs and departments is highly encouraged; the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with established collaborators, and to form new partnerships. Our group is firmly committed to the support of equity, diversity, and inclusivity in neuroscience, and applications from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

The successful candidate should have a PhD in neuroscience, psychology, physiology, or a related discipline, with evidence of the ability to conduct independent research. In addition, quantitative and programming skills in Python, MATLAB or similar are expected. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with animal care staff and will be expected to complete training in and participate actively in animal handling as required for data collection. That said, previous experience with animal work is not mandatory.

Funding is available for two years with the possibility of renewal contingent on funding. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Blake Butler (bbutler9@uwo.ca) and provide the following:

  1. A cover letter describing your current research, and interest in our lab
  2. Curriculum Vitae
  3. Names and contact information for 2 references