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Lab Manager – Brain Health Equity in Aging and Memory (BHEAM) Lab

Department: Psychology
Position supervisor: Dr. M. Natasha Rajah
Contract length: 1 yr with the possibility of extension
Hours of work per week: 36.25
Position type: Full-time
Rate of pay: $30/hr negotiable

About Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. To learn more about our work environment, colleagues, leaders, students and innovative educational environment, visit www.torontomu.ca, check out @TorontoMet (external link) , @TorontoMetHR (external link)  and @ECItorontomet (external link)  on Twitter, and visit our LinkedIn company page (external link) .

About the team

The Brain Health Equity in Aging and Memory (BHEAM) laboratory of Dr. Maria Natasha Rajah,  Professor at  Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) at the Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University (Toronto, Canada) uses multidisciplinary methods to study the neural basis of learning and memory across the adult lifespan in diverse samples of females and males. We are interested in understanding why some adults maintain a high level of memory function into late life and others do not, and  how sex, gender, and having specific risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease affect memory and brain function, with a focus on midlife brain and cognitive health.

Our lab consists of diverse, open-minded and motivated individuals who thrive on working as a team in conducting exciting research projects in the cognitive neuroscience of memory, aging and dementia prevention. Postdoctoral researchers will have the opportunity to lead funded projects in the lab and mentor students with Dr. Rajah. In addition, they will have the opportunity to be co-applicants on grants and conduct independent research projects in collaboration with the principal investigator. 

All members of the lab are expected to follow our Core Values which include: inclusivity, honesty, objectivity, openness, fairness, commitment to research & research integrity, and collaboration.

The opportunity

The BHEAM Lab is seeking a talented and motivated Full-time Research Lab Manager who is interested in contributing to ongoing research projects in the cognitive neuroscience of memory, ageing, and the effect of Alzheimer’s Disease risk factors on midlife brain function and cognition. 

Qualifications and Skills

Must have qualifications:

  • A Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Nursing, or related discipline.
  • Excellent communication skills in English.
  • Expertise with project management within the context of a biomedical / neuroscience laboratory setting, including:  grants and ethics administration, purchasing lab supplies, lab safety & oversight
  • Expertise with human participant recruitment & human participant testing, preferably in a biomedical, psychological, neuroscience or other clinical laboratory
  • Experience working in a wet lab and with blood samples (centrifuging and aliquoting serum, plasma, buffy coat)
  • Experience with data management and data analysis
  • Expertise with MSOffice
  • Expertise conducting literature reviews
  • Expertise with creating paper figures and tables

Preference for candidates with: 

  • Experience with human participant MRI testing
  • Experience conducting protein assays with a microplate reader
  • Experience using SAS/SPSS/R an asset
  • Experience using Adobe Suite for creation of tables and figures an asset
  • Experience working with MRI datasets
  • Experience working in the areas of cognitive aging / dementia / women’s health /cognitive neuroscience

Responsibilities and Duties

Participant Recruitment and Testing

  • Coordinate, schedule, and conduct research participant testing (behavioral and MRI) 
  • Manage participant testing and scheduling of other research staff and lab trainees
  • Quality assurance of behavioral and MRI data
  • Maintain and update Qualtrics online questionnaires
  • Review and screen participant enrollment for study inclusion
  • Summarize testing and study progress at monthly meetings
  • Manage social media accounts and the lab website
  • Proactively seek out recruitment and community engagement opportunities

Lab Management

  • Order office and wet lab supplies
  • Maintain and organize dry and wet lab spaces
  • Manage the activities of research assistants
  • File and organize purchase orders, invoices, contracts electronically
  • File and organize participant testing materials 
  • Organize and securely store research data and results 
  • Onboard and train new lab members
  • Maintain study databases
  • Track timelines of projects
  • Maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures and Lab Manuals

Administrative Duties

  • Manage Ethics Submissions and Renewals
  • Support grant management and submissions
  • Coordinate meetings and lab events
  • Coordinate Dr. Rajah’s calendar 

Research Duties

  • Literature reviews using different databases
  • Behavioral Data analysis using R
  • Contribute to writing and editing research manuscripts
  • Create graphics for presentations, manuscripts, grants
  • Opportunity to develop your own research projects if interested

How to apply

Interested applicants should email Dr. M. Natasha Rajah at natasha.rajah@torontomu.ca with the following materials by June 1, 2025: 

  1. Cover letter 
  2. Curriculum Vitae 
  3. Name of 3 references with emails, and arrange for the 3 references to provide letters of recommendation directly to Dr. Rajah at the email address above.

Toronto Metropolitan University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

  • We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications. If you are an Indigenous applicant and require support during the recruitment process, please reach out to James McKay, Indigenous HR Lead at james13@torontomu.ca.
  • Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
  • We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process,please reach out to Human Resources: 
  • All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.