Research Assoc-Term

Date Posted: 06/18/2024

Req ID: 38056

Faculty/Division: UofT Mississauga

Department: UTM: Biology

Campus: University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)

Description: The university's second largest division, U of T Mississauga has 17 academic departments and offers 156 programs in 92 areas of study. Home to approximately 15,000 students and over 1,000 faculty and staff, the campus houses the Mississauga Academy of Medicine, Centre for Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Management and Innovation. With its distinctive interdisciplinary programs such as forensic sciences and biomedical communications, U of T Mississauga offers a broad array of continuing education programs and professional masters programs. Established in 1967, the campus features award-winning architecture, robust community partnerships and a dynamic student environment set amongst 225 acres along the Credit River in Mississauga.

Research Associate (Limited Term) in the research area of neuromuscular function and development, working in the laboratory of Professor Bryan Stewart at the University of Toronto Mississauga. The Stewart Lab was established in 2001 and is focused on the molecular, genetic and cellular mechanisms by which neuromuscular systems develop and function. Using both Drosophila melanogaster and human tissues grown in culture, research in the lab is aimed at understanding the fundamental biological principles that govern how these tissues grow and work together. In the last 5 years the lab has turned towards understanding muscle disease, particularly Duchenne muscular dystrophy, in collaboration with Professor Penney Gilbert. The ideal candidate for the position will have a PhD and postdoctoral experience in this research area and demonstrated technical skills as described below. While the main location of this research is located at UTM the successful candidate must be able to travel to specialized research facilities at other locations, particularly the electron microscopy facility located at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

The Research Associate - Limited Term position will be responsible for:

To lead the collaborative CIHR-funded project "Evaluating the nerve-muscle connection as a Duchenne muscular dystrophy therapeutic target". This is a collaborative project between UTM and Professor B. Stewart and UofT Biomedical Engineering, Professor P. Gilbert. As leader of this project in the Stewart lab, this Research Associate will be responsible for planning and executing the research described in the grant, mainly the electrophysiological and electron microscopic examination of human neuromuscular junctions grown with cultured cells. The RA will also provide direct training and supervision to students and other trainees who join the lab as part of their graduate or undergraduate program. The RA will also provide general leadership to the laboratory by supporting lab organization, health and safety, records maintenance, procurement of supplies and services, and other administrative tasks.

Minimum Qualifications:

EDUCATION: Ph.D. in physiology, neurobiology, neuroscience, or other relevant discipline in the biological sciences.

EXPERIENCE: At least three (3) years of postdoctoral research experience and expertise demonstrated through publications in:

• Electrophysiology, especially intracellular single electrode measurements of membrane and synaptic potentials from neuromuscular junctions and accompanying analytic expertise.
• Electron microscopy, especially transmission electron microscopy of muscle and neuromuscular junctions
• Confocal microscopy and accompanying immunofluorescence tissue preparation protocols and processes
• Experience with Drosophila husbandry, genetics, dissection, and neuromuscular physiology.
• Cell culture experience, especially using human immortalized cell lines and iPSCs to grow nerve and muscle tissue in a 3D tissue culture systems.
• Supervisory and training experience of junior colleagues in an academic research environment, including undergraduate and graduate students.
• Working in a collaborative research environment where success is dependent on teamwork.

OTHER: Superior Communication and organizational skill; Self-motivated with an ability to multi-task; Ability to lead and manage scholarly and non-scholarly projects; Ability to work in a collaborative group; Ability to lead a project and co-ordinate small teams of researchers; Demonstrated ability to work independently, showing initiative and good judgment, and also the ability to work cooperatively and be an effective team member; Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, sound decision-making and resourcefulness, good judgement Must be tactful and professional working with researchers, faculty, staff, and external partners; Strong verbal and written communications skills; demonstrated ability to convey research results in an easily comprehensible manner; Computer proficiency in MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook); data and graphing software such as Graphpad, image analysis software, such as FIJI

Closing Date: 06/27/2024, 11:59PM ET

Employee Group: Research Associate

Appointment Type : Grant - Term

Schedule: Full-Time

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: R01 -- Research Associates (Limited Term): $51,543 - $96,643

Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission. As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission. The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [email protected].

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