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Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Cognitive Neuroscience of Aging, Memory and Dementia Prevention

Department: Psychology
Position supervisor: Dr. M. Natasha Rajah
Contract length: 2 years with the possibility of extension
Hours of work per week: 36.25
Position type: Term
Annual Salary: $60,000 + benefits

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)  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 Postdoctoral Researcher who is interested in the cognitive neuroscience of memory, ageing, and the effect of Alzheimer’s Disease risk factors on midlife brain function and cognition. The applicant should be interested in applying multivariate and machine learning neuroimaging methods to the study of how chronological ageing, biological sex, and modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for AD affect brain structure, function, and memory in middle-aged and older adults.

More specifically, we are seeking a candidate interested in applying network neuroscience approaches and using a sex and gender based + analytic lens (SGBA+) to the study of the cognitive neuroscience of healthy and pathological aging. The candidate is encouraged to develop & conduct her/his own project within the scope of the lab’s research interests and will have the opportunity to contribute to and lead analyses of data collected as part of current CIHR funded project “Sex differences in brain aging in adults with and without risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease” which focuses on midlife, and examines the effect of menopause and sex hormone levels on brain function and cognition.

To learn more about the lab please visit our website: http://www.rajahlab.com (external link, opens in new window) .

Qualifications

The successful candidate must have: 

  • Graduated with a Ph.D. in Psychology, Neuroscience or related discipline in the past 3-5 years; 
  • Expertise in cognitive or computational neuroscience and/or expertise in human neuroendocrinology and sex/gender science; 
  • A track record of research excellence, including published peer reviewed manuscripts.
  • A keen interest in the topics of sex and gender research and neurocognitive models of healthy and pathological aging. 
  • Experience working in both Windows and Linux environments, and using the following software: MSOffice, SPSS or R, and Matlab. 
  • Experience using SPM, FSL, ANTs, PLS and/or AFNI or similar image analysis software is required. 
  • Excellent communication skills in English are a must, and the ability to communicate in French an asset. 
  • Programming skills are an asset.

How to apply

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

  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.