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Part-time Research Assistant

Department: Psychology
Position supervisor: Dr. M. Natasha Rajah
Contract length: 1 yr, renewable
Hours of work per week: Flexible
Position type: Part-time
Rate of pay: $20 - $25/hr, based on experience

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 program/department/team

The Brain Health Equity in Aging and Memory (BHEAM) Lab is led by Dr. Natasha Rajah, Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Sex, Gender, and Diversity in Brain Health and Aging. We are a diverse, open-minded, and motivated group of individuals who thrive on working collaboratively in a supportive environment. Research in our lab uses behavioral and neuroimaging (primarily MRI) methods to study how aging, biological sex, gender, and cognitive reserve factors affect brain aging and episodic memory across the adult lifespan. We study adults aged 18 – 75 years of age with and without risk factors for late onset sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease.

Our current projects are primarily focused on brain aging and cognition at midlife; women’s brain health; the role of social determinant of health on brain health and cognition; and the link between midlife cardiovascular health and later life brain health & cognitive decline in women and men from various backgrounds. 

The opportunity

The BHEAM Lab is seeking a talented and motivated part-time research assistant, who is interested in the cognitive neuroscience of memory, aging and dementia prevention.

Description of Technical Responsibilities

The successful applicant will work with Dr. Rajah and other lab members at the Department of Psychology, TMU, to coordinate subject recruitment, biomedical screening, scheduling, and testing research participants for ongoing research projects in the lab. They will assist as needed or behavioral data analysis using R and SPSS software and MRI analysis in Matlab/Python. They will contribute to manuscript writing/editing for projects they are involved in. 

Description of Administrative Responsibilities

The successful applicant will also have some administrative duties which include coordinating meetings, taking minutes at meetings, ordering lab supplies, and helping with grants and ethics administration.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must have: a bachelor’s or higher degree in psychology, neuroscience, biology or related field. Experience with human subjects’ recruitment and testing.is an asset. Expertise with MSOffice, database management and research management. The successful candidate must have excellent time-management, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.  An interest in the cognitive neurosciences of aging, memory and dementia prevention is a must. 

How to apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit: 1) a Cover Letter explaining your interest and relevant experience for this position 2) a C.V. or resume and 3) list of 3 references to Dr. Natasha Rajah at: natasha.rajah@torontomu.ca. Eligible applicants will be contacted for an in-person or Zoom interview with Dr. Rajah and her research team.

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 to Human Resources: 
  • All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.