Temporary Full-time, 2 year term

 

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to join an interdisciplinary cognitive neurology research program focused on neurovascular and neurodegenerative contributions to cognitive decline. Our work spans brain clearance systems, the development and validation of novel neuroimaging biomarkers, and the exploration of alternative biological mechanisms of dementia progression.

 

Who You Are

You have a PhD in neuroscience, medical science, psychobiology, biomedical engineering, or a related field, and a strong foundation in clinical brain imaging and neuroanatomy. You are interested in building conceptual bridges between biology, imaging, and cognition, and are comfortable questioning assumptions while valuing rigor and follow-through. You have demonstrated research productivity, including first-author publications, and can take an idea from hypothesis to analysis to manuscript. You are a strong communicator with proven problem-solving skills, motivated to build an independent research trajectory and contribute meaningfully to high-impact work.

 

What You’ll Do

• Drive the analysis of clinical neuroimaging studies in aging, dementia, and cerebral small vessel disease
• Develop, adapt, and maintain neuroimaging pipelines and computational tools for analyzing multimodal data across local and international dementia cohorts
• Integrate imaging with cognitive, clinical, and fluid biomarker data to address mechanistic questions related to vascular and neurodegenerative brain changes
• Work with multi-site, multidisciplinary teams to prepare scientific manuscripts and fellowship applications, building core skills toward academic independence
• Present and defend research findings at international conferences and scientific workshops
• Collaborate and balance multiple projects within the lab and with external partners, contributing to a positive, highly interactive, interdisciplinary clinical research environment
• Supervise and mentor trainees and contribute to the intellectual life of the lab

 

Why This Lab

This lab’s philosophy is based around guidance, trust, and independence rather than micromanagement. Postdocs are given the tools, data access, and support needed to succeed, and are expected to take responsibility for shaping projects, making decisions, and seeing work through to publication and dissemination of findings. Guidance is available, but initiative, problem-solving, and ownership are central to how the lab operates. The goal is growth, to develop postdoctoral fellows who are ready to move on with confidence and independence.

 

Research Environment

This postdoctoral position is embedded within a collaborative research program led by Drs. Joel Ramirez & Sandra E. Black within the Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program and the Evaluative Clinical Sciences platform at the Sunnybrook Research Institute’s Centre for Brain Resilience & Recovery. Sunnybrook Research Institute is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.

 

We acknowledge that the land on which Sunnybrook Research Institute operates is the traditional territory of many Nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. We recognize the enduring presence and contributions of Indigenous Peoples to this land.

 

Compensation, Eligibility & Inclusion

Salary is commensurate with experience and aligned with CIHR postdoctoral funding levels. A minimum two-year commitment is required.

 

We thank you in advance for your interest. Application screening will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. Only candidates we have selected for an interview will be contacted.

 

In accordance with Canadian Employment and Immigration guidelines, applicants must be eligible to work in Canada. In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, this advertisement is directed initially to Canadian citizens and permanent residents; however, all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

 

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation for disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please indicate this in your cover letter.

 

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is strongly committed to inclusion and diversity within its community and welcomes all applicants including but not limited to: visible minorities, all religions and ethnicities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.