Scientist in Neuroimaging and Precision Child Youth Mental Health – Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute

JOB DESCRIPTION

Posting # – RI-25-011

POSITION:Scientist in Neuroimaging and Precision Child Youth Mental Health
POSTING PERIODFebruary 18, 2025 to April 30, 2025
TERM:Full-time (1.0 FTE) Three (3) year contract, with possibility of renewal
SALARY:Commensurate with skills & experience
REPORTS TO: Director, Precision Child Youth Mental Health Collaboratory

Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (“CHEO RI” https://www.cheoresearch.ca/) is the research arm of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario – Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre (“CHEO”) and an affiliated institute of the University of Ottawa. We acknowledge that Ottawa is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinabek territory. The Algonquin Anishinabek Nation have lived on this territory for millennia and we honour them and this land. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. CHEO RI also honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land. CHEO is a beloved institution and workplace that is widely recognized for being an anchor in our community. CHEO RI works to create new knowledge and evidence to support CHEO in its provision of world-class care to our children. Our mission at CHEO RI is to connect exceptional talent and technology in pursuit of life-changing research for every child, youth, and family in our community and beyond.

We are inviting applications for an early to mid-career Ph.D. full-time Neuroimaging Scientist for the Precision Child Youth Mental Health Collaboratory. The goal of the position is to create an independent research program focused on neuroimaging markers of diagnosis, treatment response, or prognosis to support advancement of precision child and youth mental healthcare.

This will be a three-year, renewable appointment at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor commensurate with experience and does not confer eligibility for tenure. The successful candidate will be recommended for a faculty appointment in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and secondary appointments in other departments such as Psychiatry will also be available.

Required Qualifications: A Ph.D., superior research achievements in MRI neuroimaging related to child and youth mental health disorders, treatment response, or prognosis, evidence of interdisciplinary collaborations, experience in teaching and training of students at the graduate level, the ability to obtain external research funds, and excellent communication skills in either English or French. Passive knowledge of the other official language is considered an asset. Training in data analytics is also an asset.

The PCYMH Collaboratory is a ground-breaking research centre with close ties with SickKids in Toronto, ON, providing additional opportunities for networking and scientific development. The Collaboratory’s Strategic Priorities are to 1) Conduct Impactful PCYMH Research; 2) Use Technology to Deepen Understanding of Child and Youth Mental Health; 3) Nurture Teams That Translate Research to Real-Life PCYMH Care; and 4) Advance the Growth of PCYMH At Home and Worldwide. Expanding the extant neuroimaging research at the RI is one of our most important plans.

We are fully integrated within the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) with collaboration opportunities with clinicians and access to patients. CHEO is the home to a vibrant research culture including the leadership of national programs on rare disease gene discovery (http://care4rare.ca/), neuro-muscular disorders (https://neuromuscularnetwork.ca/) and Concussion research (www.transcendentconcussion.ca) CHEO also houses Newborn Screening Ontario (https://www.newbornscreening.on.ca/), one of the largest newborn screening programs in North America.

We are also fully integrated within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa, which comprises several research-intensive Departments supporting a vibrant research and educational environment with multiple strong foci in multiple health-related fields. Relevant to this position, the associated Department of the candidate will confer MSc and PhD degrees in respective fields of study (for example, within the uOttawa Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine). The successful candidate will therefore become an integral member of the University of Ottawa’s core network, with access to a large and broad group of research collaborators as well as state-of-the-art equipment facilities across the University and affiliated Research Institutes, including the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI), the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre (ROMHC), Bruyère Research Institute, and Institut du Savoir Montfort. There are additional opportunities to join intellectual communities of practice with like-mined researchers within the uOttawa Brain Mind Research Institute (uOBMRI).

Join us in Ottawa, Canada’s capital and a cosmopolitan metropolis surpassing one million residents, making it the fourth largest city in Canada. With a vibrant technology sector and high median household income, Ottawa is the best place to live and do collaborative research. The region was first home to Indigenous Peoples who lived, met and traded commodities and knowledge; the city’s name is derived from the Algonquin word “Odawa” which means “traders.” The rich history of Algonquin Anishinaabe, along with that of the Europeans who arrived in the 1600s, is represented throughout the region.

Other Requirements:

  • Valid work permit to work in Canada;
  • Valid police record check;
  • Compliance with the CHEO Research Institute’s Universal COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

To Apply:

The selection process will begin immediately after the closing date and will continue until the position is filled. Please send the application package by e-mail to pcymhi@cheo.on.ca.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those invited for an interview will be contacted. Your application package must include:

  • A cover letter;
  • An up-to-date curriculum vitae (please include career interruptions such as parental or sick leaves that may have impacted your record of research. These will be taken into consideration in the selection process);
  • A research plan (2 to 3 pages);
  • Three names of people who may be contacted by the CHEO Research Institute for letters of reference; and
  • Self-identification form (see Preferential Hiring section above).

The CHEO Research Institute values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer who value diverse perspectives and support people to be their authentic selves. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process and welcome interest from all qualified applicants. Should an applicant require any accommodations during the application process, as per the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, please notify Human Resources at researchhr@cheo.on.ca.

The CHEO Research Institute seeks to increase equity, diversity, and inclusion in all of its activities, including research, education and career development, patient, family and donor partnerships. We value diverse and non-traditional career paths and perspectives, and value skills such as resilience, collaboration, and relationship-building. We welcome applications from members of racialized minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

CHEO Research Institute does not use artificial intelligence during the selection and recruitment process.

Worksite, unless otherwise indicated will be at 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L1. Applications will only be considered from those that are eligible to work in Canada

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