Postdoctoral Fellow – Clinical Brain-Computer Interfaces

Edmonton, Canada              ·            Full time

Postdoctoral Fellow – Clinical Brain-Computer Interfaces

Department: Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine – Rehabilitation Medicine

Closing date: Will remain open until filled.

Position Type: Full Time

Description

This appointment has a term length of 1 year with the opportunity of extension for up to three years and offers a benefits package found at Postdoctoral Fellows Benefits.

Location –  Work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

About the Assistive Technology Labs and the Imagination Centre Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) Program

This position will be jointly held between the AAT Lab and Imagination Centre Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) Program.

The AAT-Lab is directed by Dr. Kim Adams in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine of the University of Alberta. The AAT Lab studies the role of assistive technology (AT) for engaging children with significant physical impairments in learning and play. The AAT Lab’s clinical research stream supports the evaluation and implementation of AT and assistive robots for children to engage in play and learning. The AAT Lab’s technical research is focused on developing new hybrid brain-computer interface (BCI) paradigms, robotic controls, and robotic interface designs.

Based out of the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, the Imagination Centre BCI Program works to cultivate the advancement and adoption of patient-and family-centred BCI technology by partnering with patients, families, and innovators.

About the Postdoctoral Fellowship

Qualified applicants are invited to apply for a Postdoctoral Fellow position working on clinical applications of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for children and youth. This patient- and family-centred research program is focused on using non-invasive BCI to enable children with neurological impairments to access play, mobility, and communication. This is an interdisciplinary and intersectoral research program, involving engineering, medicine, and rehabilitation medicine faculties. Successful candidates will have strong collaboration and coordination skills to work directly with research teams at multiple levels, rehabilitation centres, and industry partners to successfully contribute to the research program. 

Training of undergraduate and graduate research assistants is paramount. In addition to the program-related coursework, the successful candidates will work closely with their supervisor to create a learning and development plan and attend professional development training such as research ethics and integrity, and project management. They will receive formal training in the following practical areas:

• Biomedical data collection and signal processing (e.g., electroencephalography)
• Patient Oriented Research strategies
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Entrepreneurship
• Safety

The successful candidate will also have access to opportunities for learning and collaboration with interdisciplinary BCI experts through the BCI-CAN Network.

Duties

• Designing experiments and data collection protocols and collecting administrative approvals
• Overseeing and/or conducting participant recruitment, research sessions, data collection and performing analysis of research results
• Writing research grants, scholarship applications, reports, and manuscripts for publication
• Presenting at conferences and team meetings
• Training and supervising graduate and undergraduate students
• Fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing with partners

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of a PhD degree in Rehabilitation Sciences, Neuroscience, Kinesiology, or a health-related discipline, OR in an Engineering discipline with a Biomedical specialization
• Expertise in clinical research and methodologies
• Keen interest and/or experience in brain-computer interfaces, assistive technologies, or powered mobility
• Strong publication record in related research areas
• Proven ability to work independently, supervise trainees, and monitor project progress
• Strong communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English

Preferred Qualifications

• Comfortable working with technology
• Experience working with individuals with physical impairments
• Interest and experience in interdisciplinary and translational research in collaboration with health scientists, the healthcare system, and the biomedical industry

Application Instructions

Please submit the following online as .pdf documents:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of Publications
• References
• Transcripts – to be uploaded under “other” and all in a single PDF document

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If suitable Canadian citizens or permanent residents cannot be found, other individuals will be considered.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women; First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.