Canada Excellence Research Chair in Predictive Neuroscience for Precision Aging

April 20, 2022

The Rotman Research Institute (RRI) in the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education at Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care invites applications for a full-time position in the area of Predictive Neuroscience for Precision Aging. The appointment will be at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, with an expected start date of July 1, 2023.

Successful candidates may also be nominated for a Canada Excellence Research Chair in Predictive Neuroscience for Precision Aging, valued at $1M per year for eight years. The Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program is intended to support world‑renowned researchers and their teams in establishing ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. Nominees to the CERC opportunity will be internationally leading researchers whose proposed research program aligns with one or more of the Government of Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation priority areas.

The successful candidate will be an internationally recognized research leader in Aging whose accomplishments have made a major impact in one or more of the following priority areas of focus: aging, brain health, mental health and wellness, precision medicine, artificial intelligence, and/or big data technologies and analytics.  Applicants must have earned a PhD degree related to human neuroscience of perception, cognition, emotion, or motor behaviour, from the perspective of one or more of Neuroscience, Psychology, Neurology, Computer Science, Data Science, Kinesiology, Medical Biophysics, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or a related area. Applicants should have a clearly demonstrated exceptional record of excellence in research, service, mentorship, training, teaching, and knowledge mobilization. We seek candidates whose research and teaching interests complement and enhance our existing departmental strengths  (https://www.baycrest.org/Baycrest/Research-Innovation). Candidates will be expected to sustain and lead innovative research that will advance the global frontiers of knowledge in the emerging field of Predictive Neuroscience for Precision Aging; to maintain an outstanding, competitive, and externally funded research program; and to work collaboratively with others across the RRI and the University of Toronto to ensure the greatest breadth and impact of the work.

Candidates must provide evidence of research excellence, which can be demonstrated by a record of sustained, high-impact contributions and publications in top-ranked and field relevant journals, the submitted research statement, presentations at significant conferences, distinguished awards and accolades, evidence of impact on the field and/or societal impact, and other noteworthy activities that contribute to the visibility and prominence of the discipline, as well as strong endorsements from referees of high standing.

Candidates must also possess a strong demonstrated record of service to the research community (e.g., service on peer review committees, faculty recruitment committees, advisory committees) and a demonstrated record of attracting and mentoring a diverse group of students, trainees, and research personnel, and establishing an equitable and inclusive research environment. Nominees to the Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program will be expected to develop and implement a plan for establishing and maintaining a diverse team and an inclusive research and training environment.

The RRI recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., health, parental, or caregiver leaves; slowdowns due to illness or disability; impacts of COVID-19) can have on a nominee’s record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the review and assessment of application materials.

The RRI is a premier international centre for the study of human brain function, with a special focus on aging and the brain. Founded in 1989, the RRI’s scientists, staff, and trainees have supported Baycrest in becoming Canada’s #1 most research-intensive hospital, with scientific foci in four primary areas consistent with its home on the campus of Baycrest Seniors Care: sensory and cognitive neuroscience, computational neuroscience and neuroinformatics, aging and brain health, and Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The RRI has significant research infrastructure for neuroimaging (one of the only research facilities in Canada to have MRI, MEG, and EEG all within one building), neurostimulation, psychophysics, and behavioural testing, including Institute-based and mobile-testing laboratories. The RRI is also the scientific headquarters for the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA), Canada’s largest single investment in dementia research, comprising a national network of over 350 dementia researchers and clinicians. The RRI is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and houses several other research centres and programs as well, including the Kunin-Lunenfeld Centre for Applied Research and Evaluation, the Anne and Allan Bank Centre for Clinical Research Trials, the Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health and Wellness, the RRI Research Training Centre, and the Ben and Hilda Katz Inter-Professional Research Program in Geriatric and Dementia Care.

The University of Toronto (U of T) (https://www.utoronto.ca/) is one of the world’s great universities, distinguished by an extraordinary depth and breadth of excellence. U of T’s global outlook and cosmopolitan location in one of the world’s great cities provide students with a transformative educational experience, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to navigate our rapidly changing world.

Top students from across Canada and around the globe are drawn to U of T for many reasons, but what sets this University apart are its comprehensive excellence, diversity, and commitment to equity and accessibility.

U of T is one university with three campuses, each of which is a comprehensive centre for teaching and research: the University of Toronto St. George, the University of Toronto Mississauga and the University of Toronto Scarborough. To take advantage of a rich, inclusive environment for study and learning, students join one or more of many smaller learning communities that include seven undergraduate colleges on the St. George campus, and a range of faculties, schools and centres across the three campuses. Our tri-campus system spans the Greater Toronto Area, allowing students to take part in experiential learning and specialized programming throughout one of the world’s most diverse and dynamic urban regions.

 All qualified candidates are invited to apply by clicking the link below. Applicants must submit:

  • a cover letter;
  • a current curriculum vitae;
  • a research statement outlining current and future research interests;
  • three recent publications; and,
  • names and contact information for at least three external references.

 Your CV and cover letter and any additional application materials should be combined into one or two files in PDF/MS Word format. If you have any questions about this position, please contact Dr. Allison Sekuler at vpr@research.baycrest.org.

All application materials must be received by May 22, 2022.

In order to meet the Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program timelines, the University of Toronto must select and confirm the nominee in advance of the registration deadline of September 15, 2022, with a full nomination package submitted to the Program by October 13, 2022.

The Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program does not impose any restrictions regarding nationality or country of residence of the nominee. However, given the Program’s focus on the attraction of outstanding researchers to Canadian institutions, the RRI will prioritize the nomination of those candidates who currently hold an academic appointment outside of Canada.

 As part of your application you will be asked to complete a voluntary survey that will be submitted directly to Human Resources.  For privacy purposes, the results of the survey will be shared with the RRI Search committee only on an aggregate basis and only when there are three or more applicants.

Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care 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 Rotman Research Institute is committed to fostering a climate of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. This commitment is central to, and mutually supportive of, our research excellence mandate. We welcome and respect the diversity of all members of our community, and we support an inclusive culture for our clients, families, research scientists, staff, and participants, trainees, volunteers, trustees, and partners. We welcome applications from Black individuals and other racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2SA+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas within our community. We are committed to fair assessment of a candidate’s abilities, and consideration for diversity of thought, method, and experience, including non- traditional career paths.

Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care 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 disabilitiesIf you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at (416) 785-2500 ext. 2961.

For further information on the Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program, including eligibility criteria, please consult the Program website

Date Posted:   April 20, 2022

Closing Date: May 22, 2022

JOIN OUR TEAM: Please submit your application online by applying here.  Although the closing date for applications is May 22, 2022, we encourage individuals to submit their applications as early as possible.

Please note that Baycrest has implemented mandatory vaccination for all employees. It is a condition of employment that new employees provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the start date of employment. This means that all new employees must have received all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada at least 14 days prior to their start date. In addition, it is a condition of employment that all new hires obtain and submit proof of all booster vaccines as approved and recommended by Health Canada.

 Applicants who have appropriate written proof of a medical reason, or a reason pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code, for not being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may provide such documentation to the Human Resources department.  Such situations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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