Neuroscience Postdoctoral Scholar

Area: Neuroscience

Duration: Minimum 2 years

Start date: Jan 2024 (negotiable)

Salary: TBD, plus medical benefits

The project:

The Kurrasch Lab currently has three open postdoctoral positions (fully funded):

Project 1: Maternal microbiome and mechanistic impacts on the developing brain. This goal of this project is to define the mechanistic events that link adverse changes in the maternal gut to neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring, using mice as a model system.

Project 2: Embryonic neural sex differentiation. The goal of this project is to determine the programs driving sex dimorphic development of the hypothalamus in mice.

Project 3: Comparative study of adult hypothalamic plasticity. The goal of this project is to determine the role of immature neurons in the adult hypothalamic parenchyma across small and large-brained species.

All projects employ a variety of cutting-edge techniques: single cell ‘omics, advanced microscopy (including iDISCO), in utero electroporation, live cell imaging, behavioral monitoring, human brain organoids (where relevant). Responsibilities include generating, analyzing, graphing, and presenting results, as well as writing and submitting manuscripts. The postdoctoral fellow will be expected to generate new ideas in collaboration with the Principal Investigator. Daily the scholar will interact with other laboratory personnel, including helping to train graduate and undergraduates.

The postdoctoral fellow will join Dr Deborah Kurrasch’s laboratory in the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. Each position is fully funded.

Qualifications:

Candidate must have a recent PhD (within 3 years of graduation) in Neuroscience, Developmental Biology, or a related discipline. Experience working with mice required, as well as technical expertise in molecular and cellular neuroscience and imaging. Experience in single cell technologies and bioinformatics an asset but not required. The candidate must also have a track record of academic success as evidenced by peer reviewed publications, awards, and scholarships.

Application details:

Interested applicants please provide: 1) a cover letter with statement of research experience and interests, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) the names and contact information for three persons who have agreed to provide references. Deadline for application is October 31, 2023. Submit applications via email directly to Deborah Kurrasch, kurrasch@ucalgary.ca. Please indicate PDF application in the subject line.