New Trainee Openings
Opportunities are available for new trainees (undergrads, masters, postdoc, clinical fellows) looking to work under VAST co-investigators on a VCI-related project
Graduate Opportunities and Postdoctoral Fellowships
de Rus Jacquet Lab, Laval University - Neurobiology of Parkinson’s disease
Dr. Aurelie de Rus Jacquet has openings for a PhD trainee and Postdoctoral Researcher to join her lab. Her team specializes in the study of Parkinson's disease in order to describe the molecular mechanisms regulating disease progression. Dr. de Rus Jacquet studies the role of glial cells in disease pathogenesis and the mechanisms by which they regulate cellular interactions at the blood-brain barrier. We use induced pluripotent stem cell-based models and microfluidic technologies to study cellular interactions and describe the mechanisms underlying Parkinson’s disease (www.derusjacquetlab.com).
The project will focus on understanding multicellular communication at the blood-brain barrier in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. The objective is to identify new targets and innovative therapeutic approaches to slow or halt disease progression. Methodological approaches heavily rely on iPSC cell culture and directed differentiation towards specialized cell types, along with ex vivo patient samples and postmortem tissue.
Contact: aurelie.jacquet@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
Fully Funded MSc Position in Biomedical Research – Mazerolle Lab
The Mazerolle Lab at St. Francis Xavier University is offering a fully funded MSc position (stipend: $27,000/year for 2 years) for a motivated student to join our interdisciplinary team through the Biology MSc program. This project merges cutting-edge biomedical research with computational science to develop innovative, low-cost, and portable technology for assessing brain vascular health. Specifically, you’ll work with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to enhance the repeatability and precision of cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) measurements through advanced data analysis and automation techniques.
We are seeking candidates with a background in biology, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, computer science, or related fields. If you are passionate about combining biomedical research with data science, automation, coding, and machine learning, this project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to advancements in medical imaging and rural healthcare.
The Mazerolle Lab, within the Department of Psychology, offers a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment focused on human neuroscience. You’ll be part of projects involving functional MRI, fNIRS, and computational approaches to improve reproducibility in neuroimaging. Lab members also benefit from the Vascular Training (VAST) platform, which provides specialized training in vascular health, cognitive impairment, and related computational methods.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, CV, unofficial transcript, and a writing sample (e.g., undergraduate thesis or relevant work) to emazerol@stfx.ca. For further information, contact Dr. Erin Mazerolle at the same email.
Take part in advancing brain health with the power of computational and biomedical science!
Girouard Lab, Université de Montréal - Research in neurovascular coupling
Dr. Hélène Girouard at the Université de Montréal has positions open for masters, phd and postdoctoral fellow projects about neurovascular coupling.
A competitive salary support will be offered.
Contact: helene.girouard@umontreal.ca
Callahan Lab, University of Calgary - Research in aging brain health and ADHD
The Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in Aging Brain Health. This Postdoctoral Scholar will be supervised by Dr. Brandy Callahan, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology and full member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. The successful applicant will be expected to apply for external fellowships, including the E. Marie and R. Garey Cameron Postdoctoral Fellowship in Dementia. This Postdoctoral Scholar will be working with Dr. Brandy Callahan and collaborators on a project investigating pathways driving dementia risk in adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This project will involve analysis of cognitive, physiological and neuroimaging markers of brain health.
Qualifications:
• PhD in Psychology (or related discipline) must have been awarded within the last 5 years
• Expertise in clinical research related to brain aging
• A strong background in quantitative data analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated productivity for peer-reviewed publications
The following would be considered an asset:
• Knowledge and experience analyzing neuroimaging data and/or biosamples
• Experience working with older adults (with or without cognitive impairment)
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students
Interested candidates should e-mail Dr. Brandy Callahan (brandy.callahan@ucalgary.ca). Please include:
• A cover letter outlining relevant qualifications, research experience, and career goals
• A curriculum vitae
• Samples of three related peer-reviewed publications
Contact: brandy.callahan@ucalgary.ca
Smith Lab, University of Calgary - Research in aging, neuroimaging, and cerebral blood flow
The Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Calgary is recruiting for a MSc or PhD level graduate student interested in better understanding changes of cerebral blood flow with healthy aging, cerebral small vessel disease, and CoV-19 infection. Primary research activities will focus on processing pipelines and quality review of pseudo-continuous arterial spin labelling magnetic resonance images to generate cerebral blood flow maps. Associations between cerebral blood flow and other measures of brain structure and function including other neuroimaging, cognitive, medical outcomes may be examined depending on the degree program. Data analyses will be guided by the objectives of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (https://www.clsa-elcv.ca). Experience with image processing neuroimage analyses using pipelines FSL or FreeSurfer is desired but not required. Individuals with a background in neuroscience, biomedical physics or engineering, medical science, or psychology will be considered.
Candidates with a strong interest in aging, neuroimaging, and cerebral blood flow should apply to the Vascular Cognitive Impairment Research Group (https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/labs/smith-research) by submitting letters of interest and a CV to Jennifer Cameron (email below).
Contact: Jennifer.Cameron@ahs.ca
Clinical Fellowship Programs
Cognitive Neurosciences Clinical Fellowship, University of Calgary - Clinical Research on Vascular Cognitive Impairment
The Cognitive Fellowship Program at the University of Calgary is accepting applications.
Program Director: Dr. Eric Smith, MD, MPH, Kathy Taylor Chair in Vascular Dementia.
Program Mission: To educate fellows in the assessment, diagnosis and management of behavioural and cognitive disorders, with a focus on neurological and vascular causes of neurodegeneration. To provide training in research on neurodegenerative and vascular causes of cognitive impairment.
Eligibility: You're required to have completed residency training in either Neurology, Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, or Geriatrics.
Contact: More information on the program and how to apply here: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/labs/smith-research/cognitive-fellowship