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Dedicated exclusively to children and their families, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is one of the largest and most respected paediatric healthcare centres in the world. As innovators in child health, we lead and partner to improve the health of children through the integration of healthcare, leading-edge research and education. Our reputation would not have been built - nor could it be maintained - without the skills, knowledge and experience of the extraordinary people who come to work here every day. SickKids is committed to ongoing learning and development, and features a caring and supportive work environment that combines exceptionally high standards of practice. When you join SickKids, you become part of our community. We share a commitment and determination to fulfill our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World. Don't miss out on the opportunity to work alongside the world's best in paediatric healthcare. We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join our research program focused on understanding glial mechanisms of learning and memory. The Williamson laboratory studies astrocyte biology across cognition, disease, and development. Our research integrates techniques that span molecular, cellular, circuit, and behavioural neuroscience. The fellow will help dissect the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which astrocytes control the plasticity and function of memory circuits. The Successful Candidate Will Lead a Project Focused On Defining astrocyte responses to neuronal inputs during memory formation Identifying molecular and cellular mechanisms of astrocyte-neuron interactions underlying learning and memory Delineating mechanisms of astrocyte allocation to memory-related ensembles Integrating molecular to behavioural approaches in mouse models for understanding how astrocytes regulate neural circuits and complex behaviours This position offers a well-defined project with abundant foundational data and cutting-edge theoretical and technical approaches. The fellow will have opportunities to learn and apply molecular, cellular, circuit, and behavioural neuroscience techniques. Supportive mentorship, aid with fellowship applications, and opportunities for publication, presentation, and career development will be provided. Here's What You'll Get To Do Design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments investigating astrocyte roles in learning and memory using mouse models Perform stereotaxic surgeries for viral transduction and gene-modification experiments using approaches such as chemogenetic or optogenetic actuators, fluorescent biosensors, cellular ensemble tagging, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, and/or overexpression systems Perform functional assays, including immunostaining, confocal imaging, mouse behavioral assays, chemogenetic manipulations, optogenetic manipulations, circuit mapping, RNA sequencing, and/or fiber photometry Assist with development, testing, or application of novel molecular genetic constructs If desired by the fellow, assist with or lead projects related to astrocyte-neuron interactions after stroke and other forms of brain injury. Analyze and interpret experimental data using standard statistical and analysis software such as GraphPad Prism, Imaris, ImageJ, Excel, and R Contribute to analysis of transcriptomic and/or proteomic datasets, including differential expression, pathway-level analysis, and integration with experimental findings Stay current with literature on astrocyte biology and learning and memory Prepare figures, manuscripts, fellowship applications, and presentations Present findings at lab meetings, seminars, and national or international conferences Help mentor junior trainees in experimental design, lab techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication Here's What You'll Need A PhD in neuroscience, physiology, genetics, or a related field, with eligibility for appointment at the postdoctoral fellow level. Candidates should have no more than four years of cumulative research experience following completion of the PhD. A conceptual background in astrocyte biology, learning and memory, cognition, molecular biology, neural circuits, or related areas Experience with in vivo neuroscience, rodent surgery, molecular biology, and/or fluorescence microscopy Experience with viral transduction, including overexpression, shRNA knockdown, CRISPR/Cas9-based gene modification, and/or construct design is an asset Experience with mouse behavioural assays is an asset Familiarity with basic bioinformatic analysis, including working with transcriptomic datasets and using R for data visualization and analysis is desirable Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment Employment Type: Full-time temporary 1 year contract, 1.0 FTE The principal investigator for this position is Dr. Michael Williamson, who leads a multi-disciplinary research program focused on astrocyte biology of cognition and disease. The lab is based in the Neurosciences & Mental Health Program in the Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute. SickKids is committed to championing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do, fostering an intentionally inclusive and culturally safe environment that reflects the diversity of the patients, families and communities we serve. Learn more about workplace inclusion. If you require accommodation during the application process, please reach out to our aSKHR team. SickKids can provide access and inclusion supports to eligible candidates to support their full engagement during the interview and selection process as well as to ensure candidates are able to perform their duties once successfully hired. If you are invited for an interview and require accommodation, please let us know at the time of your invitation to interview. Information received related to access, inclusion or accommodation will be addressed confidentially. Technical difficulties? Email [email protected] with a short description of the issues you are experiencing. We will not accept resumes sent to this inbox but we are happy to respond to requests for technical assistance. Tip: Combine your cover letter and resume into ONE document of 20 pages or less as you cannot upload multiple documents as part of your application. Every application is reviewed by a human recruiter and all hiring decisions are made by people. In some cases, AI-assisted tools are used to help review applications based on job-related qualifications. All positions posted on the SickKids Hospital's Careers Site represent current vacancies, unless otherwise posted in the job description.

What you’ll do

The fellow will lead a project investigating how astrocytes regulate neural circuits and memory formation using mouse models. Responsibilities include designing experiments, performing complex surgeries, analyzing transcriptomic data, and publishing findings in scientific journals.

Requirements

Requires a PhD in neuroscience, physiology, genetics, or a related field with no more than four years of post-PhD research experience. Candidates should have a conceptual background in astrocyte biology and practical experience with in vivo neuroscience and molecular biology techniques.

Benefits

• Supportive Mentorship • Fellowship Application Aid • Career Development Opportunities

Listed skills

• Data analysis · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Astrocyte Biology
• In Vivo Neuroscience
• Rodent Surgery
• Molecular Biology
• Fluorescence Microscopy
• Viral Transduction
• CRISPR/Cas9
• Mouse Behavioral Assays
• Bioinformatic Analysis
• R Programming
• Confocal Imaging
• Fiber Photometry
• RNA Sequencing
• Optogenetics
• Chemogenetics
• Data Analysis

Job areas

• Science & Research
• Healthcare