15 Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of Calgary, Canada

This two year Fellowship will train an emerging leader in knowledge generation, synthesis and translation into clinical practice. The three key areas of focus are: (1) Development and validation of risk prediction tools for patients with symptoms of acute coronary syndromes, including patients with kidney disease for whom standard cardiac troponin assays have reduced accuracy; and (2) Knowledge synthesis of the accuracy of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays in estimating the risk of adverse cardiac outcomes in patients discharged from the emergency department; and (3) Developing and implementing a clinical pathway for emergency department patients with chest pain but low pre-test probability of coronary disease. The postdoctoral scholar will also be encouraged and supported in building their own program of related research.

This work will leverage robust population-based administrative healthcare databases held by Alberta Health Services; timely and efficient accessed of the data is supported through the University of Calgary Centre for Health Informatics and AHS Analytics. It will also be supported by health information specialists within Alberta Health Services Strategic Clinical Networks.

The post doc will be part of an interdisciplinary research project that seeks to use genomic analysis of bacterial pathogens to study airways infections amongst individuals with cystic fibrosis. The post doc will work directly with aligned researchers in the Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases as well as clinical collaborators in the Adult CF Clinic and Bronchiectasis clinic. The project will leverage the Calgary Adult Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Clinic Biobank – the largest, most comprehensive collection of CF derived isolates in the world.  This collection of >60,000 isolates includes bacterial pathogens recovered from each and every clinical encounter of every single patient attending the clinic over the last thirty years linked with detailed clinical information.  Furthermore, an associated biobank of sputum includes ~23,000 individual whole sputum samples available for subsequent analysis.  The successful applicant will be able to leverage whole genome sequencing data from the ~2000 isolates that have already undergone whole genome sequencing to explore a range of projects including infection transmission chains and factors associated with individual transmission events, adaptation and parallel evolution within the CF lung and the dynamic satellite genome of chronically infecting pathogens.  Many potentially impactful manuscripts are expected to come from this work.  

Reporting to the Primary Investigators (PIs) Michael Parkins (Cumming School of Medicine) and Christina Thornton (Cumming School of Medicine), the post doc will be an important part of a large team conducting research into suppurative airways disease.  The University of Calgary has long led infectious disease research in CF, and a wide range of highly impactful papers have come from this research group.  The group will also leverage their expertise and knowledge in a wide range of other research areas ranging from bacterial evolution to population level research using wastewater.  

Our team is recruiting a scholar to become part of an active and innovative research program that is elucidating the links between gut microbiota, mental health, neurodevelopment, and health behaviors (sleep, diet, exercise) in children. The scholar’s work will help to identify novel and actionable intervention targets to optimize neurodevelopmental and mental health outcomes in children and adolescents. 

The source data for the scholar’s work is an ongoing pregnancy cohort study that recruited pregnant individuals and is prospectively following them and their children. We have collected biological samples and questionnaire data to accurately document participants’ physiological and psychological experiences of stress and mental health. Our data set includes repeated gut microbiota (metagenomic shotgun sequencing) and metabolomics from children throughout the first 3 years of life (n=500+). The scholar will have immediate access to this data to address questions about the influence of the role of gut microbiota in child development outcomes. We will train the scholar in assessment and analysis of health behaviors, an area of neglected research in relation to the microbiome. These training opportunities will position the scholar with unique interdisciplinary research expertise to launch the next phase of their academic career.

The Alberta Kidney Disease Network (AKDN) and the University of Calgary are accepting applications for a Fellowship in data science for kidney health and disease, to be based in Calgary, Alberta. The AKDN is a collaborative network of researchers located in the cities of Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta, Canada. AKDN trainees and junior faculty have previously published papers as first authors in a variety of major journals including the Lancet, JAMA, Annals of Internal Medicine, JASN, CJASN, Kidney International, and the American Journal of Kidney Disease (see https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/research/akdn for more information).

This Postdoctoral Fellowship will train emerging leaders in data science for kidney health and disease. The two key areas of focus are: (1) development and evaluation of predictive analytics approaches, and (2) implementation and testing of decision support tools for kidney health and disease. Candidates will have the opportunity for first-hand experience with research initiatives directly related to one of both of the key focus areas, with use of several existing databases and implementation platforms, including a provincial repository of clinical and laboratory data (Alberta Kidney Disease Network; https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/research/akdn), Alberta Health and Wellness Administrative data, hospital electronic medical records / clinical information systems, and clinical registries.

The proposed postdoc will explore the application of models from ecological systems to energy/technology transitions using real world data on previous transitions (eg EV adoption in Norway as a function of cost). For example, this will include modelling the adoption rate as the outcome of a dynamical model with two equilibrium points yielding a sigmoidal adoption curve through time. As well as exploration of the novel theory that delays in adoption described qualitatively as elements of carbon lock-in can be modelled quantitatively as processes that create stability within the complex ecosystems.

2 year fully funded position available at University of Calgary in the Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment in the Faculty of Science. Looking for a postdoc with experience in mathematical modelling techniques, and interest in energy systems (no direct energy experience necessary). Opportunities will be available to work with interdisciplinary collaborators as well as to explore policy implications of results (if of interest, not required).

The postdoctoral scholar will use mixed methods research (quantitative and qualitative) to evaluate health outcomes of cancer survivors using administrative health data, conduct patient-oriented research focused on pancreatic cancer, and evaluate decision making along the cancer trajectory using scoping reviews and/or surveys and focus groups. The postdoctoral scholar will work under the supervision of Dr. Colleen Cuthbert, assistant professor in the Faculty of Nursing, Canada Research Chair in Patient and Family Centered Cancer Survivorship, and Dr. Winson Cheung, Professor and Lead for Health Services Research for Oncology in Alberta. Drs Cuthbert and Cheung are health services researchers conducting studies focused broadly on health outcomes in cancer patients. 

Dr. Cuthbert is a mixed methods researcher focused on improving health and wellbeing in cancer survivors through generation of new knowledge, development and testing of supportive care interventions, and evaluating novel models of care. She leads the Cuthbert Lab in the Faculty of Nursing: www.cuthbertlab.com

Dr. Cheung is conducting studies focused on the application of novel methods to large datasets and electronic health records in cancer. He leads the Oncology Outcomes research group: www.oncoutcomes.com

The lab focuses on understanding the biological role of a unique immune cell subset, the double-negative T cell. These cells have shown potential as a treatment for cancer and immune disorders. In this context, the scholar will utilize specific cutting-edge technologies to investigate the biology of double-negative T cells. Their research will focus on understanding the cells’ mechanisms of action against cancer and immunological disorders, and why these cells sometimes fail in their function. Additionally, the scholar will explore strategies to enhance their efficacy.

The scholar will be trained to become an independent researcher. This includes project development, project management, performing experiments (including animal experiments), student supervision, writing scientific papers and patents, networking with other researchers, and presenting at national and international conferences.

The Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute has launched the Riddell Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy. The Riddell Centre has a Discovery and Innovation program made up of interconnected research enablers designed to facilitate translational research of cellular therapies for cancer.

The Research Associate will be required to develop and optimize novel imaging approaches to study tumour models and immune responses within living animal models of disease to better optimize therapeutic interventions. These activities will encompass the development and establishment of an intravital imaging Research Enabler within the Riddell Centre and will include the establishment of intravital imaging approaches, labeling methods, fluorescent probes and other immune reporter systems for use in vivo.

This position reports to the Manager, Postdoctoral Office and Internal Grants and works closely with the Team Lead, Postdoctoral Office and the Postdoctoral Program Director. The Postdoctoral Program Coordinator collaborates with a diverse range of faculty and staff members, internal and external organizations, and other research stakeholders to serve the postdoctoral community and to support the administration of research funding. The key purpose is to coordinate postdoctoral appointments and recruitment processes, support for internal and external fellowship and granting processes, data collection, management, analysis, and reporting, and support and administration for various postdoctoral networking and professional development activities and events. This position is a vital point of communication for postdoctoral researchers and stakeholders at all levels of the university as well as external parties.

The incumbent demonstrates knowledge not only of their own role but also a thorough understanding of that of a liaising service office to provide effective, timely advice and direction and to resolve a variety of matters to maximum satisfaction. Responding to complex situations and concerns involving multiple parties and high stakes is a primary function of this role.

The Department of Community of Health Sciences in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Research Associate, One Child Every Child. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

We are seeking a talented and motivated postdoctoral scholar to design and implement research that explores the use of simulated client scenarios for use in teaching and research for social work practice.  
Simulation-based learning (SBL) is an immersive technique wherein conditions are created that enact the experience of a ‘real life’ scenario for the purpose of training and/or assessment of identified skills. Simulated Client Scenarios (SCS) have already been tested using objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), which are simulation-based opportunities commonly used to assess student knowledge and clinical skills in fields such as medical education, nursing, and social work. Research on the use of simulation in education has shown SBL to have additional benefits through the discovery of vicarious learning. Simulations can be offered in a range of modalities, from live encounters (in-person, or online) to virtual, pre-recorded material that can be interacted with in a range of ways.   

The successful candidate will build a program of research with: 1) coordination and supervision of projects using simulation in either teaching approaches or research on clinical skill development; 2) contribution and collaboration on projects related to the use of simulation in interprofessional practice and education; 3) development of interdisciplinary approaches to the use of simulation with an intersectional lens that considers issues of equity, diversity and inclusion in case scenarios and methodologies. This position is expected to contribute to existing projects and expand research in the areas of focus through the development of complementary research proposals and publications.

The successful candidate will work on a CIHR-funded, internationally collaborative project using zebrafish and/or stem cell genetic models of vascular stabilization. The project aims to understand the genetic factors that contribute to cerebral small vessel disease and stroke using mechanistic development biology, molecular biology and genetic approaches.

We seek a curious, independent postdoctoral fellow with skills in developmental and/or molecular biology and genetics. Working knowledge of vascular biology, genomics and animal models is an asset.

This position will support active research projects in Canada’s Arctic and Atlantic Ocean regions aimed at delivering a better understanding of marine microbiology in relation to healthy ocean ecosystems and petroleum-associated microbiome responses. Environments of interest include both the water column and benthos where seabed sediments are a key focus. Marine sediments in the vicinity of hydrocarbon seeps or hydrothermal vents (i.e. where chemosynthesis takes place) will be compared with background sites that lack the same energy inputs, in order to understand marine microbial biogeography and ecophysiology.

The work will include computational biology with complementary wet lab work and fieldwork components. Activities will be undertaken in collaboration with other researchers at the University of Calgary as well as external collaborators across Canada and internationally. The role will include presenting results to diverse audiences (academia, end users, industry), publishing findings in highly respected peer-reviewed journals (e.g., past work from the group has appeared in Nature Communications and ISME Journal), and commercialization of outcomes if appropriate in collaboration with technology companies working in this space as well as the University’s technology transfer office.