21 Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of Calgary, Canada

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.

The position requires independent analysis and research, within a team approach in a fast moving and changing environment, often involving multiple stakeholders. The PDS will contribute to refining the research questions and methods and will have the opportunity to lead a consensus-process to identify relevant indicators of child health and well-being, relevant to vulnerable children and families in Alberta and recommend approaches for developing policy in Alberta that fosters resilience and growth for vulnerable children. Research outcomes will inform policy development for child health and social services and evaluation and the PDS will work closely partners and with community stakeholders.

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 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.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will be supervised by Dr. Miranda Fidler-Benaoudia and will undertake research to understand oncofertility use and sexual health in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors in Alberta. The successful candidate’s primary project is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and will include quantitative analysis of questionnaire data, as well leading qualitative focus groups. The Postdoctoral Scholar will also undertake additional projects seeking to improve care and outcomes in the AYA cancer population, where the primary data source is an established population-based cohort (ayacancerAB.com) that has been linked to registries and administrative health databases, including the Discharge Abstract Database, National Ambulatory Care Reporting System, and Practitioner Claims. Additional projects can be developed based upon the successful candidate’s interests. The start date is negotiable for the right candidate.

Here, we are seeking a highly motivated post-doctoral research fellow with a strong background in genomics/bioinformatics/computational biology/human molecular genetics to help innovate current whole genome sequencing approaches to increase the diagnostic potential in patients with rare genetic disease who remain undiagnosed despite clinical tests.

This position offers the candidate a unique opportunity to be exposed to the multidisciplinary team (clinicians and genetic counsellors, bioinformaticians and scientists), as well as multidisciplinary approaches (human and model organism genomics; ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ lab approaches) and to contribute innovative research with a substantial direct translational potential (e.g. better diagnostics). 

Previous scholars at the centre have graduated to staff attending medical oncologist roles at leading cancer centres across Canada and internationally. Under the mentorship of A/Prof. Vishal Navani & A/Prof. Nancy Nixon, several have received ASCO merit awards and had oral presentations at major meetings, concurrent with publications in high impact journals. 

Time will be split between clinical commitments, leading care for patients with thoracic and breast malignancies and undertaking real world evidence projects utilising the wealth of databases housed at the centre. Dedicated time will be safe guarded to develop a patient focused mobile app to capture electronic patient reported outcomes (ePROS) and improve the patient experience in Calgary. There will also be the opportunity to be involved as a sub-investigator on late phase clinical trials and be exposed to trial protocol development.

We are fortunate to be able to offer a stimulating, but manageable clinical load (<=4 clinics / week and minimal on-call) and Canada’s largest real world outcomes database in thoracic malignancies, Glans-Look Research: https://glanslook.ca/.  Calgary is one of the world’s most liveable cities, enjoys the most hours of sunshine in the country and the Rocky Mountains are at your doorstep, 1 hour away from the city.  These 1-2 year fellowships will provide an opportunity to gain clinical expertise at a large, academic, centre, whilst accelerating research output. The Division of Medical Oncology has close collaborations with the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute for candidates interested in translational research activities.

The Postdoctoral Associate will lead/support projects within the Canadian Collaboration for Complex Care (C4)- a CIHR funding Personalized Health Team. The postdoctoral scholar will work within a dynamic team of collaborators including the Departments of Community Health Sciences, Family Medicine, O’Brien Institute for Public Health, C4 Steering Committee, Diabetes Canada, and the Alberta Health Services Strategic Clinical networks. 

The Postdoctoral Associate primary purpose is to provide subject matter expertise and team operational support to assist in the goals of the research. This postdoctoral position will direct emerging research in guideline implementation. Key areas of focus include: reviewing and collecting evidence on inclusivity and representation in clinical practice guidelines; understanding and developing new ways to synthesize clinical guidelines, and developing a methodology to integrate qualitative experiences in clinical guidelines.

The Postdoctoral Associate will hold a PhD in a health related-field and identifies as a member of a visual minority group in Canada. This position will be offered close mentorship and professional development, including undergraduate students, grant writing and presenting at conferences.

The position requires independent analysis and research, within a team approach in a fast moving and changing environment, often involving multiple stakeholders. The PDS will contribute to refining the research questions and methods and will have the opportunity to lead a multi-pronged program of research to assess use of patient reported outcome measures, patient education concepts and evaluation approaches across sectors for youth with rheumatic diseases, mental health concerns and/or other disability. Clinical trial design will be used to assess interventional education programs. Quantitative analysis will apply statistical and economic approaches to survey data collection and qualitative analysis will draw on perspectives from focus groups and interviews with participants. Research outcomes will inform policy development for health services and evaluation. The PDS will work closely with national and international researchers and with community stakeholders.

We are seeking motivated postdoctoral scholars with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, intellectual independence, and a willingness to explore unfamiliar aspects of computational quantum chemistry including quantum algorithms and quantum machine learning. The research will focus on the development of new computational methods to exploit the emerging advantage of quantum computers.Synergies are anticipated between two research axes i) improvements and applications of quantum algorithms for the treatment of electronic correlation for molecular applications and ii) improvements and applications of quantum machine learning methods for chemistry and materials discovery. Results from this work will ultimately contribute to improved understanding of chemical mechanisms, e.g. nanocatalysis, and technologically important materials.

The Thompson lab at the University of Calgary is seeking candidates for a Postdoctoral Scholar position. The successful candidate will work on a project that aims to understand the role of estrogen signaling in mediating the sex-dependent vascular effects of exposure to chemical pollution. Experimental approaches include transgenic mouse models, pressure myography for assessment of resistance artery function, surgery, telemetry and other in vivo and ex vivo approaches for the study of cardiovascular function. Candidates will be expected to apply for external and internal fellowships and have a strong desire to establish an independent career in science. The candidate will work in a highly collaborative environment and have access to career development and training opportunities through core facilities and research institutes at the Cumming School of Medicine (Libin Cardiovascular Institute and Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute). The research program of the Thompson lab also includes studies in developmental programming, adipose function in cardiometabolic disease and menopause, and is funded by CIHR, NSERC, Diabetes Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Visit the lab website (Jenniferthompsonlab.com) to learn more about the research program.

This is a full-time Postdoctoral Scholar opportunity supervised by Dr. Brandy Callahan (Canada Research Chair in Adult Clinical Neuropsychology, Associate Professor of Psychology, and full member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute). The successful candidate will contribute to a variety of projects exploring how aging is experienced by neurodiverse adults, with a focus on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The candidate will be supported in building a research program centered primarily on understanding these individuals’ cognitive and brain health across the lifespan and into older age. Additionally, the postdoctoral scholar will have opportunities to collaborate with researchers from various faculties across campus and institutions across Canada and internationally.

A full-time Postdoctoral Scholar (PDS) opportunity is available at the University of Calgary, Canada, to begin on or about June 1, 2024. This PDS will contribute to a variety of projects aimed at gaining deeper insights into individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) across the lifespan (children, youth, adults, older adults), with a particular emphasis on recognizing and harnessing their strengths. The PDS will build a research program centered on exploring the social, emotional, cognitive, and relational capacities of individuals with ADHD, encompassing various aspects such as gender, age, stigma, mental health, social dynamics, and resilience. Additionally, the PDS will have the opportunity to collaborate on additional projects with researchers from various faculties across campus and institutions across the country.

The postdoctoral scholar will be involved in the use of antigen-specific nanomedicines capable of re-programming different immune cell types in vivo to dissect immunoregulatory cell networks.  The candidate will join a multidisciplinary team of scientists working at the interphase among protein engineering, nanomedicine, in vivo cell re-programming, developmental immunology and chronic inflammatory disease. They will have the opportunity to use a variety of functional, phenotypic (e.g. multi-dimensional flow cytometry, mass cytometry), transcriptomic (e.g. scRNAseq) and epigenetic tools (e.g. ChIPseq, multiome) to dissect pharmacodynamic effects of in vivo cell re-programming. 

 

(18) Postdoctoral Fellowship Position

Postdoc Fellowship Position summary/title: Research Associate, Department of Medicine

Deadline : Open Until Filled

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The central focus of the research associated with this position is examining the role of social relationships and social support in physical activity behavior, social isolation, resilience, and well-being among older adults, including the needs of vulnerable populations. This position will include working with data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, a large national study on the health and well-being of older adults in Canada. 

Applicants will be expected to work within a team environment and have regular interactions with faculty, other postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students at the University of Calgary, so excellent communication skills are required. Publication of peer-reviewed papers in high-impact scientific journals is an expectation of this position. The postdoctoral fellow will be expected to apply for major funding opportunities they are eligible for (e.g., CIHR, SSHRC, AI, Killam).  

The PDF will work in a collaborative lab environment with other PDFs, graduate students, research assistants, and volunteers. The PDF will be responsible for preparing 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.

The PDF 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 PDF may also be supported to pursue professional registration as a Psychologist in Alberta, if applicable.

The postdoctoral fellow will focus on studies examining the risk of subsequent primary cancers among cancer survivors under the supervision of Drs. Dylan O’Sullivan, Research Scientist with Alberta Health Services and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary, and Darren Brenner, Associate Professor and Armstrong Investigator in Molecular Cancer Epidemiology at the University of Calgary. Dr. O’Sullivan is conducting several studies aimed at optimizing the prevention and early detection of subsequent primary cancers among cancer survivors using cohort and administrative data sources. 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.

This position will be located within the Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, 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.