Assistant Professor Full-time

Assistant Professor in Psychiatry

The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta invites applications for a tenure-track contingent Assistant Professor position, affiliated with the Neuroscience Institute, with an anticipated start date of March 1, 2027. This non-clinical position comprises 80% research, 15% classroom teaching and 5% administration.

The successful candidate will establish an independent research program in sleep neurobiology and non-invasive neuroimaging, with particular emphasis on sleep disruption, neurodevelopment, and cognitive and emotional functioning in pediatric populations, including autistic children and adolescents. Research will examine brain fluid and glymphatic clearance using advanced magnetic resonance imaging methods and develop or evaluate biomarkers relevant to child and adolescent mental health. Responsibilities include seeking external research funding, publishing and disseminating findings, collaborating across disciplines, supervising research trainees, teaching in the classroom, and contributing to departmental administration and service.

Applicants must hold a PhD in neuroscience or a closely related discipline and demonstrate relevant expertise in sleep neurobiology and non-invasive neuroimaging, including advanced MRI methods; scholarly contributions appropriate to the Assistant Professor rank; potential to establish an independent, externally funded research program; and ability to contribute to university teaching, mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration. Experience in brain fluid clearance, neurodevelopment or pediatric research is an asset; transferable expertise supported by a credible research plan will also be considered. The appointment is contingent on continued funding, with initial salary support identified for five years, subject to confirmed appointment terms.

Responsibilities include:

• Conduct clinical research related to sleep neurobiology including Clinical Assessment of Brain Fluid Clearance in Disease.
• Research the impact of longitudinal sleep variability on cognition in humans; Longitudinal sleep variability and MRI-visible perivascular spaces in humans
• Conduct multi-modal neuroimaging of brain fluid clearance dynamics in children and adolescents with autism

Qualifications include:

• PhD in Neuroscience
• Minimum 3 years post-doctoral research in Chronic Sleep Disruption, Glymphatics, and Neurodegenerative Disease
• Expertise in sleep neurobiology and non-invasive neuroimaging directly targets sleep disruption, which is a major driver of cognitive and emotional dysregulation in autistic youth.
• Minimum 5 years experience applying established MRI methodologies, such as parenchymal CSF mapping, to pediatric cohorts allows for novel research into how early-life sleep fragmentation impacts neurodevelopment and brain fluid clearance.

Application Instructions:

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover Letter
• List of Publications
• Research Plan

The successful candidate will be offered a contingent tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, including a comprehensive benefits package.

The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule A of the collective agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.