Category: Trainee opportunities

Postdoc position in neural stem cell biology – University of Toronto

Posted on | by Julie

The Yuzwa lab in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto is seeking to hire a Post-doctoral Fellow. Work in our lab aims to understand how cell genesis occurs in the developing and mature brain under conditions of healthy physiology and disease. To do so, we are currently studying the role of cell signaling inhibition and developing/applying tools to probe lineage and spatial relationships in the brain. Such studies typically involve the use of traditional neurobiological approaches (immunostaining, primary culture, transgenics, etc.) and tools from systems-biology (single-cell genomics and spatially-resolved transcriptomic approaches).

The successful applicant, working independently with consultation from the Principal Investigator (PI), will apply and advance the aforementioned systems-biology tools to characterize neural stem cell biology and the impacts of disease on these cells. The applicant will also be required to validate and test predictions resulting from these data using biochemical, primary neural culture, small animal surgery or transgenic based approaches.

Primary responsibilities will largely include carrying out an independent research project as described above. However, the applicant may be required (as directed by the PI) to 1) work with and train graduate/undergraduate students; 2) help ensure the smooth functioning of the lab (such as maintaining supplies and equipment) and; 3) collaborate with internal/external research groups.

Qualifications (Minimum):

Education: Applicant must hold a PhD or equivalent degree (within 3 years of being awarded) by the agreed upon start date in neuroscience, molecular biology, molecular genetics, cell biology, biochemistry or a related discipline.

Experience: Applicant must demonstrate a strong record of research achievement as evidenced by the ability to prepare and publish scientific manuscripts in major journals and present research findings at scientific meetings. Familiarity with any one or more of the following: neurobiology, synthetic biology, bioinformatics or single-cell genomics would be an asset.

Skills: Prior training in cell culture and molecular biological techniques is required (at minimum). In addition, the successful applicant must possess a number of the following skills: experience with transcriptomics/next-generation sequencing; experience with experimental design and trouble-shooting; ability to adapt and learn new techniques; strong communicator (both oral and written); excellent analytical and problem-resolution skills; good time management and organization skills with the ability to work on multiple competing tasks. Ability to complete University of Toronto certification in chemical, biosafety and animal care, procedures will be required.

Contact information

Please forward a cover letter, CV and names and contact information for three references to:

Dr. Scott Yuzwa
Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology
University of Toronto
Medical Sciences Building, 1 King’s College Circle,
Toronto, ON M5S 1A8
yuzwalab.ca
Email: scott.yuzwa@utoronto.ca

Posting end date 2021/04/26

Download a PDF version of this advertisement: Yuzwa_PostDoc_Posting_Mar2021_FINAL.pdf

Two Postdoc positions are available to study the role of primary cilia in neurodevelopment – University of Calgary

Posted on | by Julie

Two postdoctoral fellow positions in the field of Neuroscience are immediately available in the research group of Dr. Jiami Guo, Calgary University, Alberta, Canada. The research team focuses on the function of primary cilia, under-appreciated cellular antenna, in brain development and function and how disrupted cilia contribute to neurological disorders such as intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and glioblastoma.
Interested applicants must have a Ph.D. and/or M.D. degree in a field related to Neuroscience or Biomedical sciences.

For position 1, previous research experience with neurodevelopment, human/mouse genetics, iPSC, biochemistry, molecular cloning, organoids, single-cell RNAseq, next-generation RNAseq will be considered a plus;

For position 2, 2-photon live imaging, in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetic/chemogenetic neural circuit manipulations, rodent behavioral assays, neural surgeries and viral delivery of genes will be considered a strong plus. This position will be co-supervised by another PI who is a leading expert in these techniques.

Successful applicants will be highly motivated and energetic individuals with good communication skills, interest and experience in neuroscience/cell biology /developmental biology /genetics, and will have a proven publication record and the ability to work independently.

The research group of Dr. Jiami Guo is part of the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy. Dr. Guo is a New York Stem Cell Foundation Robertson Investigator, a member of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute and Hotchkiss Brain Institute. These institutes provide an international, dynamic and collaborative research environment and stimulate innovative basic and biomedical research.

To apply, please send a cover letter describing research background and interests, plus Curriculum Vitae with a complete list of all your journal publications and the contact information of 3 professional references to Dr. Jiami Guo (email: jiami.guo@ucalgary.ca)

Postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience | CAMH, University of Toronto

Posted on | by Julie

We will study cortical processing in health and depression in pre-clinical animal models using large-scale simulations of rat cortical microcircuits (in collaboration with the Blue Brain Project). The position is for 2 years, with anticipated start time in June 2021.

Interested applicants with publications and experience in computational neuroscience, who have completed their PhD in the last 5 years, are invited to send their CV to Dr. Etay Hay (etay.hay@camh.ca). In support of diversity, women are particularly encouraged to apply.

Hay lab for brain microcircuit modelling is located at Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, within the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (camh). We are fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and situated at the main campus, downtown Toronto.

Contact information:

Dr. Etay Hay (etay.hay@camh.ca)

Postdoctoral position in cellular/computational Neuroscience: Katalin Tóth, uOttawa Brain and Mind Institute

Posted on | by Julie

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral fellowship starting immediately at the University of Ottawa to investigate features of synaptic signal integration and microcircuit function using experimental and computational approaches. The researcher will join a collaborative group with expertise in cellular electrophysiology, two-photon imaging, and advanced computational modelling and statistical processing (Drs Katalin Toth and Richard Naud). Expertise in cellular electrophysiology and/or in two-photon cellular imaging is required. This fully funded position with attractive conditions is available immediately. The candidate is expected to be competitive for external fellowships.

The researcher will join uOttawa’s Brain and Mind Research Institute’s Center for Neural Dynamics (Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine; Faculty of Medicine). uOttawa’s Neuroscience community is fast expanding, highly dynamic and offers a rich array of collaborative opportunities. Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is a green, multi-cultural city that offers the highest standard of living in the country and is second worldwide for quality of life (Numbeo index, 2015). The city has many parks including the Unesco World Heritage Rideau Canal and is surrounded by an extensive greenbelt. This bilingual, culturally-rich city lies along the border between the province of Quebec and Ontario and is within driving distance to Montréal and Toronto.

Employer Profile:

The University of Ottawa is a bilingual research university in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The university offers a wide variety of academic programs, administered by ten faculties. It is a member of the U15, a group of research-intensive universities in Canada. In the Maclean’s 2015 Canadian University rankings, the University of Ottawa ranked 2nd for Medical/Science Grants, 2nd for Scholarships & Bursaries and 1st for Student Services in the Medical/Doctoral University category.

Please send CV, statement of research interest and names of three references to: Katalin Toth (ktoth@uottawa.ca).

Three-years funded Postdoctoral Fellow in Multiscale Mechanisms in Alzheimer’s Disease – Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University

Posted on | by Julie

Postdoctoral Researcher in Molecular and Brain Macroscopic Mechanisms in Alzheimer’s Disease

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher, for joining the Neuroinformatics for Personalized Medicine lab (NeuroPM) at the Montreal Neurological Institute (McGill University, Montreal, Canada). The postdoc will be under the primary supervision of Prof. Yasser Iturria-Medina and will collaborate with multiple associated groups, including the McGill Center for Studies in Aging, CERVO – Laval Univ., Lady Davis Research Institute, Yale Child Study Center and Litwin Family Centre in Genetic Medicine. The project, initially funded for 3 years and potentially extendable, includes the analysis of molecular and macroscopic brain alterations in AD, with a particular interest on characterizing disease evolution with novel computational techniques. For examples, see our recent publications: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awz400 and doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.06.028

The NeuroPM lab (http://www.neuropm-lab.com/) is affiliated with the Healthy brain for Healthy Lives (HBHL) initiative (https://www.mcgill.ca/hbhl/), the Ludmer Center (http://ludmercentre.ca/), and the McConnell Brain Imaging Center (https://www.mcgill.ca/bic/), involving computationally intensive and interdisciplinary research on the brain. The MNI is an internationally renowned institution, characterized by the integration of research and patient care.

Interested candidates should have a solid background and multiple publications in genetics and brain imaging in neurodegeneration. Experience in brain computational modeling will be an asset. Interested persons should send their CV and two reference contacts.

Contact information

Yasser Iturria Medina, Email: yasser.iturriamedina@mcgill.ca

 

Postdoctoral researcher to lead project on neural mechanisms underlying odor-guided behavior at McGill University

Posted on | by Julie

We invite candidates to work on a multidisciplinary project investigating the neural circuit mechanisms underlying odor-guided behavior at McGill University. This is a multi-year project funded by NeuroNex (FRQ) and led by principal investigator Dr. Tomoko Ohyama (https://tomoko-oyama.squarespace.com/).

Smell is an ancient sense that almost every animal possesses. Although we rely on it less than many other species do, it continues to influence our behavior powerfully, guiding us toward food or mates and away from danger. The proposed enterprise will bring together the expertise of both experienced and budding biologists, mathematicians, and physicists at the forefront of neuroscience research, who are tackling different aspects of what problems odor-guided behaviors solve and how nervous systems achieve those solutions.

The Ohyama group will aim to understand how neural circuits translate odor signals into dynamic and adaptive behaviors using Drosophila larvae, which is a critical component of our overall network goal of understanding how natural odors trigger natural behaviors. This postdoctoral position is a 2–3 year appointment at minimum and will provide an opportunity to lead a large multidisciplinary field study and the analyses of multi-modal, neuroimaging, and behavioral data, with the potential to make novel discoveries in the mechanisms of, and recovery from, mild traumatic brain injury.

Desired qualifications:

  • PhD in neurobiology, neuroimaging, or related field
  • Expertise in big behavior analysis, neuroimaging, or related areas
  • Strongly motivated by research and development
  • Demonstrates autonomy and excellent interpersonal competencies to operate within a team
  • Excellent scientific writing skills

To apply, please e-mail Dr. Ohyama at tomoko.ohyama@mcgill.ca with the following information.

  • E-mail subject containing “[NeuroNex Postdoc Application]”
  • Brief statement of research experiences and interests
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Contact information for at least 2 references

McGill University is one of Canada’s best-known institutions of higher learning and one of the leading universities in the world. With students coming to McGill from some 150 countries, our student body is the most internationally diverse of any research-intensive university in the country.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the Q.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

 

Contact information

Dr. Tomoko Ohyama
Dept. of Biology
McGill University
Montreal, QC

email: Tomoko.ohyama@mcgill.ca

Post-doctoral Fellow in Neuropsychopharmacology – Khokhar lab – University of Guelph

Posted on | by Julie

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 drinking and chemogenetic or pharmacologic manipulation in a rat model of schizophrenia (5-year CIHR-funded grant).

Previous experience with pre-clinical MRI imaging (e.g., fMRI, DTI, MRS) is preferred. In addition, previous 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, Pharmacology, Biomedical Physics, 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, current CV, and a list of 3 references to Dr. Jibran Khokhar at jkhokhar@uoguelph.ca. We will notify applicants before contacting any references.

About the City of Guelph

Located in southwestern Ontario (100 km west of Toronto), the City of Guelph is ranked as one of the Top Ten Places to live in Canada. Guelph – a city of approximately 130,000 people – offers the opportunity to live in a community with small-town charm while providing amenities for families and single adults alike. Guelph is a vibrant community and home to a lively downtown core, thriving cultural communities, diverse recreational activities, numerous shopping facilities, and a variety of special events.

The University of Guelph

The University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of about 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students across approximately 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. The unique combination of transformative research and innovative teaching creates a distinctive campus culture that is widely sought after. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose, the university community seeks to create positive change, here and around the world. Our University community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

The University of Guelph acknowledges the Attawandaron people on whose traditional territory the University of Guelph resides and offers our respect to our Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Métis neighbours as we strive to strengthen our relationships with them.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion (http://bit.ly/2yVClqd) is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Postdoctoral researcher to Lead a Sports Brain Injury Study at the University of British Columbia

Posted on | by Julie

We would like to invite candidates for a multidisciplinary project investigating the relationship between head impact exposure, concussion biomechanics, and brain structural as well as functional changes at the University of British Columbia (UBC). This is a multi-year project funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grant, and led by principal investigators Dr. Lyndia Wu, Dr. Alex Rauscher, and Dr. Paul van Donkelaar.

Concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury, is a major public health concern. The injury mechanism and pathology are poorly understood, resulting in ineffective prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Alarmingly, mounting evidence indicates that even subconcussive / subclinical head impacts may be associated with long-term brain changes. In this project, our goal is to prospectively and longitudinally investigate the effects of both concussions and subconcussive head impacts in varsity competitive ice hockey players. We will apply state-of-the-art wearable head impact sensors, novel UBC-developed myelin water imaging techniques, award-winning quantitative susceptibility mapping methods, and unique sensitive neurocognitive tests in a rigorous study design where we will gather pre-injury baseline data as well as monitor brain structural / functional changes longitudinally.

This postdoctoral position is at minimum a 2-3 year appointment and will provide an opportunity to lead the large multidisciplinary field study as well as the analysis of multi-modal, multi-dimensional biomechanics, neuroimaging, and neurocognitive data, with the potential to make novel discoveries in the mechanism and recovery of mild traumatic brain injury.

Desired qualifications:

  • PhD in mechanical engineering, bioengineering, physics, neuroimaging or related fields.
  • Expertise in biomechanics, neuroimaging, or related areas.
  • Past experience in human participant field studies, especially with sports populations.
  • Past experience or demonstrated potential in managing large-scale multi-lab studies.
  • To apply, please e-mail Dr. Wu at lwu@mech.ubc.ca with the following information.
  • Email title containing “[CIHR Hockey Study Postdoc Application]”
  • A brief statement of research experiences and interests
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Contact information for at least 2 references

UBC’s Vancouver campus is situated at the tip of Point Grey on the unceded lands of the Musqueam people, surrounded by forest, ocean and mountains. Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the most diverse cities in Canada, and one of the most livable cities in the world. UBC seeks to recruit and retain a workforce that is representative of Vancouver’s diversity, to maintain the excellence of the University, and to offer students richly varied disciplines, perspectives and ways of knowing and learning.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

Contact information

Dr. Lyndia Wu

Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

University of British Columbia

Vancouver, BC

email: lwu@mech.ubc.ca

 

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Post-Doctoral Fellow in Circadian Neuroimmunology | Ghasemlou lab at Queen’s University

Posted on | by Julie

A funded postdoctoral research position is available for highly motivated candidates in the Department of Anesthesiology at Queen’s University, to study cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying interactions between the nervous, immune, and circadian systems in acute and chronic pain. Outstanding candidates

will have a background in pain physiology, neuroimmunology, and/or circadian biology. Our projects span both clinical (human) and preclinical (murine) studies, and will use a wide spectrum of approaches, including immunology, molecular biology, genetically-modified mouse models, and behavior tests.

Self-motivated individuals who have a PhD in a relevant field (e.g., life sciences, neuroscience, immunology, circadian biology) are encouraged to apply. Strong expertise in rodent behavioral testing and surgical procedures is preferred; a background in advanced imaging and electrophysiology techniques (whole-cell recording and/or ratiometric calcium imaging) are highly desirable. The candidate must be creative, capable of working independently and in groups, and providing project leadership. They will be expected to work on several projects in parallel, analyze data, and write manuscripts.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, CV and names/contact details of two references to Dr. Nader Ghasemlou at nader.ghasemlou@queensu.ca.

Visit ghasemloulab.ca for an overview of the lab.

Contact information

Please send all relevant materials to Dr. Nader Ghasemlou at nader.ghasemlou@queensu.ca.

Download a PDF version of this advertisement

Postdoctoral position in Montreal on immune mechanisms in Parkinson’s disease – Trudeau laboratory

Posted on | by Julie

Dr. Louis-Eric Trudeau’s laboratory at the Université de Montréal (University of Montreal) (www.labotrudeau.org) is looking for a post-doctoral fellow to join a team of scientists working on the connectivity and vulnerability of dopamine neurons. The ideal candidate will have previous training in cellular and molecular neuroscience, including physiological approaches, in neuroimmunology and interest in the immune mechanisms implicated in Parkinson’s disease. Preference will be given to candidates that have a track record including publications as first author and that are already in Canada or who can easily travel to Canada.

Interested individuals should email the lab principal investigator at: louis-eric.trudeau@umontreal.ca
Posting end date:  2020/12/31