Research Associate

Classification & Regular Hours

Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade: R3

The base salary will be $76,490 - $109,190 per annum. Starting salary will be aligned with the successful candidate's experience, skills, and demonstrated qualifications.

Please note, this is an 18-month temporary full-time contract opportunity that is wholly grant funded. This contract includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Responsibilities

The Research Associate will apply their advanced expertise in neuroimaging research to support and advance research activities related to the TRIDENT grant and future marmoset imaging studies under the direction of a Principal Investigator. The role will independently lead and carry out original research activities to support project objectives and achieve desired research outcomes. The Research Associate will play a key role in developing, implementing, and optimizing pre-clinical imaging protocols, ensuring the quality and integrity of research data, and providing expert guidance on imaging methodologies, software, equipment, and study design. The position will foster collaborative relationships with researchers, staff, students, post-doctoral fellows, animal care personnel, and external partners, and will take a lead role in training, mentoring, and supervising research personnel. The Research Associate will participate in all stages of the research lifecycle, including study development, protocol design, animal imaging procedures, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, and evaluation of research outcomes. In addition to neuroimaging, the Research Associate will design, conduct, and analyze touchscreen-based cognitive and behavioural experiments in marmosets, and will perform stereotaxic surgeries. The role will develop and implement innovative research approaches, establish research objectives and project plans, oversee the use of specialized imaging equipment and neuroimaging methodologies, and contribute to the advancement of the laboratory's research program. The Research Associate will prepare manuscripts for publication, present research findings at conferences and scientific meetings, contribute to grant and research development activities, and develop reports and other scholarly materials for dissemination to academic and scientific stakeholders.

Qualifications

Education:

• PhD in Neuroscience or relevant discipline
• Postdoctoral research training in neuroimaging preferred
• Specialized training in animal imaging methodologies, image processing, and advanced statistical analysis preferred
• Training related to the ethical care and use of animals in research preferred

Experience:

• 5 years of experience in a related academic research environment with an independently developed research portfolio
• Experience with marmoset fMRI
• Experience designing, implementing, and optimizing imaging research protocols
• Experience independently analyzing and interpreting complex imaging and research datasets
• Experience working in an animal research environment, including working with and handling nonhuman primates, and in the application of approved animal use protocols and animal care standards
• Experience training, mentoring, and providing technical guidance to students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff
• Experience obtaining and analyzing pre-clinical imaging data
• Experience preparing peer-reviewed publications and presenting research findings
• Experience designing, conducting, and analyzing touchscreen-based cognitive or behavioural experiments in nonhuman primates
• Experience performing stereotaxic surgeries in nonhuman primates
• Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary research teams preferred
• Experience contributing to animal use protocol development and regulatory submissions preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of MRI, fMRI, and neuroimaging methodologies
• Knowledge of touchscreen-based behavioural testing and analysis, and of stereotaxic surgical techniques, in nonhuman primates
• Advanced skills in software and applications used to produce and analyze research outcomes including statistical analysis skills, and neuroimaging analysis software such as AFNI or FSL
• Knowledge of animal research regulations, animal welfare requirements, and approved animal use procedures
• Familiarity with Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines and institutional requirements governing animal-based research
• Familiarity with regulations and guidelines governing research in an academic environment and with best practices for reviewing and writing grant proposals
• In depth knowledge with methods for research design, implementation, and analysis
• Familiarity with techniques for updating, managing and extracting data from a research database
• Ability to collaborate across internal and external boundaries to meet common objectives, improve outcomes and support work beyond one's own unit
• Communication skills to describe technical concepts effectively to both novice and sophisticated users and with an ability to conduct presentations and complete detailed analytics and reports
• Ability to work in a manner that models best practices in confidentiality standards
• Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy
• Ability to work within a flexible schedule to accommodate the research group's events and activities
• Ability to provide guidance, support and feedback in a way that is positively received
• Results-oriented with the ability to motivate and coach students and research staff to meet high performance standards, while working effectively as a member of the research team
• Ability to investigate defined issues, solicit input, and suggest remedies and alternative approaches that meet the needs of the situation
• Proven ability and natural inclination to develop relationships by interacting with people in a professional, respectful and diplomatic manner
• Ability to interpret and identify key results from research and to succinctly summarize research findings
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
• Ability to adhere to legislated safety requirements and Western safety policies
• Demonstrated working knowledge of relevant scientific/research principles
• Demonstrated ability to research/investigate issues and resolve problems

Background Checks

Please note, successful applicants may be required to produce a current Police Information Check from a police service prior to commencing employment.

Please Note:

This position is an existing vacancy. This position is fully in-person, on-site. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.