International Postdoctoral Positions in Clinical Neurosciences

In 2020, the University of Calgary was part of a team that was awarded $48 million through the DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) Bridging the Gap Plus (BG+) program. This program is intended to develop new approaches for treating spinal cord injury by integrating injury stabilization, regenerative therapy, and functional restoration. To achieve this our team, in collaboration with the University of British Columbia, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, UC Davis, and others, is building implantable and adaptive devices for the treatment of spinal cord injury.

A central focus of the research associated with this position is helping to develop and test a fully-implantable blood pressure sensor (with industry, Battelle), and develop a negative pressure vacuum device for manipulating hemodynamics. To realize this vision, we are seeking a postdoctoral fellow that will be fully funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) Bridging the Gap Plus (BG+) program. Therefore, we are interested in hearing from motivated individuals with broad experience in neuroscience, and an interest in developing new technology.

We are looking for a highly motivated and energetic individual to conduct independent research validating and testing a new implantable wireless blood pressure measuring device that will be developed in our lab. This research will also include utilizing lower body negative pressure to reduce blood pressure. This will be tested in animal models (mice, rats, pigs). Successful applicants will have good communication skills, interest, and experience in neuroscience/physiology/engineering. Furthermore, applicants should value working in a highly interactive and multidisciplinary team environment.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will be part of Dr. Aaron Phillips’ research group. The research team focuses on understanding the sympathetic nervous system., and how it changes after the loss of supraspinal control (i.e.., spinal cord injury). The team then uses this knowledge to conceive and develop new therapeutics, primarily neurotechnology.

• PhD (completed within the last three years) and/or MD in the field of Neuroscience, Biomedical Science, Biomedical engineering, hemodynamics
• Experience in working with spinal cord injury would be an asset
• Engineering: Solid and demonstrated engineering experience is an asset
• Experience with physiological technology development/validations
• Demonstrated excellence in the form of peer-reviewed publications
• Experience with preclinical animal physiological assessments Exemplary critical thinking skills and a demonstrated ability to troubleshoot independently.
• Communication: Fluency in English, both written and oral. Experience presenting to academic audience is required
• Time-management: The applicant must have excellent time management skills and be able to work in a self-directed manner within an interdisciplinary environment
• Supervision: Previous experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students is an asset

$55,000 per year plus benefits.

Application Details:

• Cover letter describing research background and interests
• CV with complete list of publications
• Names and contact details of three professional references