10 Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of Calgary, Canada

The PDS will work in a collaborative lab environment with other PDSs, graduate students, research assistants, and volunteers. The PDS will be responsible for preparing and cleaning pre-existing datasets for analysis, conducting advanced statistical analyses, writing manuscripts, knowledge translation (e.g., presentations, opinion-editorial, media opportunities), and participating in grant writing opportunities. We seek candidates who work collaboratively with cross-disciplinary colleagues and are committed to translating knowledge gained from research into the hands of youth and their families.  Dr. Madigan and the University of Calgary view diversity of identity as a strength and resource. We are committed to creating a safe, transparent, and rich lab environment that fosters critical thought through respectful discussion and inclusion. Outside of the abovementioned tasks, there will be opportunity to launch or engage in additional research studies of interest. The PDS will also be supported, if interested, to develop skills in grant writing, undergraduate teaching, co-supervision of honours and undergraduate students, and to contribute to the lab’s professional development activities. The PDS may also be supported to pursue professional registration as a Psychologist in Alberta, if applicable.

The Kiss lab has several opportunities for post-doctoral training. One project involves focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation imaging/electrophysiology and modeling, participating in a recently funded NSERC grant. The aim of the project is to learn how FUS applied in animal models alters neural function, using in vitro and in vivo techniques. Another project involves electrophysiology in humans undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) for movement disorders. The goal of this project is to learn how DBS works using neuroimaging and EEG in various conditions. We will investigate new brain targets as well as how it alters brain-wide connectivity in patients who have DBS implants. The candidate will join a dynamic team that uses imaging and electrophysiology. The candidate will perform experiments, analyze data, write and present her/his research findings. They can expected to participate in planning and intellectual development of projects, and will use multidisciplinary approaches to satisfy research objectives. While the positions are fully funded, all trainees will be expected to apply for external fellowships. 

Based at the University of Calgary and Foothills Medical Centre, the postdoctoral scholar will work within a dynamic and leading team of collaborators including the Department of Emergency Medicine, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, O’Brien Institute for Public Health and the Alberta Health Services (AHS) Strategic Clinical networks. 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. Preference will be given to those who hold advanced (PhD) training in health data science, epidemiology, biostatistics. Experience in implementation science is an asset, but this opportunity could also be used for the postdoctoral scholar to develop experience in implementation science in a supported environment. We offer close mentorship, opportunities to contribute to a wide variety of research projects in emergency cardiovascular care, and a collegial and supportive working environment.

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 Priority projects will include the evaluation of patient reported outcomes data, a priority setting partnership study to determine research priorities in pancreatic cancer, and a mixed methods study to evaluate how colorectal cancer patients make decisions during different phases of the cancer trajectory. Based on the successful candidates’ interest, they will be encouraged to apply mixed methods to studies of other gastrointenstinal malignancies. Numerous opportunities exist for the successful candidate to contribute to multiple on-going and planned research studies, to develop their own area of research expertise, to publish and present scholarly work, and to obtain additional specialized training. Conference funding is available to present research findings. This position will be located within the Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, and part of the larger University community including the Department of Oncology in the Cumming School of Medicine, the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute and the O’Brien Institute for Public Health which have extensive resources and infrastructure to support research. In addition, this position has competitive remuneration and health benefits.

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 Scholar will be supervised by Dr. Miranda Fidler-Benaoudia and take direction from the team of an awarded grant from Alberta Health’s Cancer Research for Screening and Prevention (CRSP) funding program. The primary project of the Postdoctoral Scholar will seek to understand how cancer prevention can be harnessed for cancer control among adolescents and young adults. To do this, the Postdoctoral Scholar will (1) co-design and conduct a comprehensive lifetime assessment of potential risk factors, and (2) survey Albertan youths about their knowledge and beliefs of established cancer risk factors, as well as signs and symptoms of cancer and existing primary and secondary cancer prevention strategies. Additional projects using the Alberta AYA Cancer Survivor Study (ayacancerAB.com) can be developed based upon the successful candidate’s interests. 

The Postdoctoral Scholar will be supervised by Dr. Miranda Fidler-Benaoudia and will undertake research investigating the long-term effects of having cancer as a child, adolescent or young adult. The successful candidate will work on a variety of cancer epidemiologic research studies that utilize registries and administrative health databases, including the Discharge Abstract Database, National Ambulatory Care Reporting System, and Practitioner Claims. Immediate research projects include the investigation of premature mortality, subsequent primary neoplasms, chronic health conditions, reproductive health, and patient-reported outcomes. Additional projects can be developed based upon the successful candidate’s interests. The start date is negotiable for the right candidate.

A position is available in the Pipeline Engineering Centre (“PEC”) at the University of Calgary for a postdoctoral researcher to join an interdisciplinary team developing a novel way to transport clean energy resources through pipelines. The work will also involve development, design, modeling, experiments, and application aspects of digital twin of pipelines. The postdoctoralresearcher will be closely collaborating with the sponsors and mentoring other team members. 

A position is available in the Multifunctional Dynamics, Automation Laboratory (“MEDAL”) at the University of Calgary for a postdoctoral researcher to join an interdisciplinary team developing a novel way to fabricate carbon fibers from asphaltene or lignin. The work will also involve development, design, modeling, testing and application aspects of Carbon fiber generations.