Clinical Neuropsychologist/Clinical Psychologist, University of Saskatchewan

Applications are invited for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor for a Clinical Neuropsychologist/Clinical Psychologist in the Department of Medicine (Royal University Hospital) at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada.

The successful candidate should be comfortable performing psychological assessments including neuropsychological assessments, psychological assessments, and non-motor assessments used for research on dementia and non-motor functions of persons with movement disorders; be willing and able to supervise student research projects at the undergraduate and graduate levels; initiate, lead and participate in research activities relevant to the Saskatchewan Movement Disorders program; successfully compete for external funding to support the research endeavor. The applicant will be expected to work closely with members of the Saskatchewan Movement Disorders Program.

The successful candidate will be expected to establish a competitive research program that would align closely with the mandate and vision of the Saskatchewan Movement Disorders Program. There will be protected time for research, but the position would also provide opportunities for teaching of undergraduates, graduate students and resident physicians. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to collaborate with others with overlapping research interests in the Division of Neurology. The successful candidate will be invited to join the Neuroscience Research Cluster, comprised of more than 20 basic science and clinical faculty with broad research interests in neuroscience (see www.neuroscience.usask.ca). The cluster is housed within state-of-the-art research space in the new Academic Health Sciences building on campus. Full access to a rodent vivarium with space for behavioral testing will be made available, as well as tissue culture, molecular biology, histology, and imaging equipment. Finally, there is a potential for collaboration and mentorship from a clinical neuropsychologist in the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology in Arts and Science.

Movement Disorders Clinic Saskatchewan, established in 1968, is the longest continuous running movement disorders program in Canada. Longitudinal clinical observations have been followed by autopsy studies of the brains from those cases for many years. Brain material, including frozen brain tissue on more than 250 movement disorder cases, are available for research studies. Seminal work on Parkinson’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, dystonia and essential tremor has been done using this unique resource (Rajput AH, Rajput A. Saskatchewan Movement Disorders Program. Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences 2015 Mar;42(2):74-87. doi: 10.1017/cjn.2015.13. PMID: 25804247 Free PMC Article). While the program has many outside collaborators, the well-documented clinical course of these patients makes this resource uniquely valuable. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to this initiative.

The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. The University of Saskatchewan is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a city with a diverse and thriving economic base, a vibrant arts community and a full range of leisure opportunities. The University has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and scholarly activities and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to a student population of over 24,000.

Requirements for the position include:

  1. Completed Ph.D. or Psy.D. with specialization in clinical psychology, which includes completion of an accredited (or equivalent) predoctoral residency. Preference will be given to applicants with training in clinical neuropsychology.
  2. Eligibility to readily obtain doctoral level registration with the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists (R.D. Psych) which includes the Authorized Practice Endorsement (APE) to provide mental health diagnoses
  3. Evidence of effectiveness in clinical practice and applied research

We are seeking candidates who have an interest and ability to engage in scholarly activities. The candidate must have demonstrated ability or strong potential to compete for external funding and establish an independent program of research. The successful candidate must be proficient in performing and interpreting clinically relevant psychometric testing, including neuropsychological tests of cognitive function and assessment of mood. The candidate should also be familiar with other tests to assess non-motor functions (e.g. sleep). A proven track record of research relevant to neurology and of movement disorders (e.g. Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, etc.) is desired. Evidence of independent funding and supervision of students are also assets but not an absolute requirement.

Current salary bands for this post are as follows: Assistant Professor – $93,293 – $112,109; Associate Professor – $112,109 – $130,925 and Professor – $130,925 – $152,877). This position comes with a comprehensive benefits package which includes pension plan, life insurance (compulsory and voluntary), academic long term disability, sick leave, travel insurance, death benefit, dental plan, extended health and vision care plan, employee assistance program and flexible health and wellness spending program.

Interested candidates must submit, via email: a cover letter; detailed curriculum vitae; three letters of reference; and any supporting documents to:
Dr. Alex Rajput
Head, Division of Neurology
Director, Movement Disorders Program
Department of Medicine
Royal University Hospital
103 Hospital Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8
Tel: (306) 844-1411
Email: alex.rajput@usask.ca