Research Assistant

Sunnybrook Research Institute is developing innovations in care for the more than 1.3 million patients the hospital cares for annually. Sunnybrook Research Institute is the research enterprise of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto. Research spans three Toronto-based campuses, eight programs and three scientific platforms. Our main aims are to understand and prevent disease, and to develop treatments that enhance and extend life. Our vision is to invent the future of health care. Each year, we conduct about $100 million in research across 500,000 square feet, including in the world’s first Centre for Research in Image-Guided Therapeutics. The AICONS Lab and the Functional Brain Imaging Lab at Sunnybrook Research Institute and the University of Toronto are seeking a research assistant to work on neurocomputational projects under the supervision of Drs. Maged Goubran and Bojana Stefanovic. Our labs develop novel computational and imaging tools to probe and predict neuronal and vascular circuit alterations in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), stroke, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Projects will involve developing novel pipelines and AI models for analyzing cutting-edge microscopy (light sheet and two-photon) and electrophysiological data. The candidate will also assist in optimizing our current computational pipelines (eg, MIRACL), used by collaborating groups across Canada and internationally. Our labs consist of a diverse, multidisciplinary team of engineers, neuroscientists, physicists, and computer scientists. This dynamic and collegial research environment offers opportunities to contribute to the development of pioneering computational and imaging tools for understanding neurodegenerative diseases. The successful candidate will work independently and collaboratively with other staff (software developers, research assistants, and technicians), postdocs, and graduate and undergraduate students in both labs. We closely collaborate with a diverse and multidisciplinary team of researchers, including biologists, neurologists, radiologists, psychiatrists, and neurosurgeons. There will be opportunities to contribute to multiple publications and conference abstracts, as well as present work at conferences. The ideal candidate will possess a M.Sc or PhD in medical biophysics, computer science, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, or a related discipline, along with prior research experience in neuroimaging or AI. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience working with large and complex microscopy datasets, neuroimaging analyses, and machine learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, Sci-Kit Learn, and TensorFlow). Key Responsibilities Support ongoing and new research projects, including data analysis and interpretation, figure generation, and preparation of manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication Assist in the management, processing, and analysis of large-scale microscopy and electrophysiology datasets. Design and implement data analysis workflows, leveraging existing lab frameworks and tools (e.g., MIRACL/ACE). Aid in the development and testing of AI models and neuroimaging processing pipelines. Contribute to research projects and publish papers. Qualifications Graduate degree in Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Neuroscience, or a closely related field (M.Sc. required; Ph.D. completed or near completion preferred). Minimum of two years of research experience in computational neuroscience, medical imaging, or a related domain. Computer programming experience, with demonstrated skills in Python. Working knowledge of Linux-based environments, including shell scripting and high-performance computing workflows. Experience with machine learning/deep learning (e.g., Keras, PyTorch, Sci-Kit Learn, TensorFlow). Python software packaging, virtual environments, Anaconda/Conda, Jupyter/IPython Assets Working knowledge of neuroimaging software and toolkits (e.g., Freesurfer, FSL, ITK, MRtrix). Experience with version control systems, such as Git. Self-starter with proven ability to learn quickly and work independently. Application screening will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. We appreciate your interest in advance. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. More information about the Sunnybrook Research Institute can be found at: www.sunnybrook.ca/research The Sunnybrook Research Institute 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 Research Institute 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. Links Sunnybrook Research Institute University of Toronto Medical Biophysics Goubran profile #J-18808-Ljbffr