Job Description
Postdoctoral Positions in Mouse to Human Translational Cognition
Posted 11 May 2024
Employer
Western University
Location
Contact
Please send a statement of interest, Curriculum Vitae, and the names and contact information of at least two references to: Gregg Paisley, BrainsCAN Administrative Officer, gpaisle@uwo.ca .
Description
Two full-time, two-year senior postdoctoral positions are available immediately to work with the Mouse Translational Research Accelerator Platform (MouseTRAP) team on developing a harmonized battery of identical or near-identical cognitive tests that can be used in mouse models and patients, facilitating translational efforts in human clinical research.
The postdocs will work with principal investigators including Tim Bussey, Adrian Owen and Lisa Saksida at The University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.
MouseTRAP is a unique platform that directly addresses the challenge to translate neurocognitive discovery research in mouse models toward improvements in human health. It is centred on a touchscreen-based cognitive testing system for mice that enables flexible presentation of comprehensive test batteries involving visual stimuli at any location on a screen, as is increasingly done in human patient testing. Mice respond directly to the stimuli with their nose and positive reinforcers such as strawberry milkshakes are delivered for correct choices. We have developed over 30 touchscreen tests for mice that tap into disease-relevant aspects of high-level cognition including attention, memory, executive function and motivation.
The postdoctoral fellows will work with a team to develop and validate a harmonized battery of touchscreen tests for humans and mouse models. The successful candidates will work in collaboration with online testing company Creyos and the MouseTRAP team to choose appropriate cognitive tasks, develop the harmonized test battery, and design and implement circuit-level validation experiments using, e.g., fMRI in humans. The successful candidates will also have excellent opportunities to interact with researchers and core facilities funded by Western’s Canada First Research Excellence Fund program in cognitive neuroscience, BrainsCAN.
Western University’s BrainsCAN initiative received a $66 million investment from Government of Canada’s Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF), providing a significant boost to ongoing research in cognitive neuroscience and imaging. Cognitive neuroscience in health and disease is a major research focus at Western.
Postdocs will receive $70,000/year (plus benefits) for two years with completion by August 31, 2026.
Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.
Requirements
Qualified applicants should have a Ph.D. degree in psychology, neuroscience, pharmacology, or related discipline with demonstrated expertise in cognitive testing, ideally cross-species and with computerized test batteries. Candidates with strong computational skills and/or experience with fMRI experimental design and analysis are preferred.
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