Research Fellow

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

This position has a term length of 12 months from the date of hire 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.

Department/Faculty Summary

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences consists of over 40 ophthalmologists who work as physicians and surgeons and have teaching appointments with the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

The Eye Institute of Alberta (EIA)  is a Center of excellence for all levels of ophthalmic care and serves a population of over 3 million people around Edmonton and in the North. The hub of the EIA is the Royal Alexandra Hospital with additional sites at the Stollery Children’s Hospital, Westview Health Center and the Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital.

We have a vibrant teaching and learning environment with a strong commitment to undergraduate medical education, postgraduate medical education (residency and fellowship programs, including support for global health) and graduate student education.

Research takes place within a highly collaborative environment for both fundamental and translational research and builds on inter-departmental strengths in neurobiology, developmental biology, vascular biology, and molecular genetics of vision. Clinical research strengths include clinical trials, ocular genetics, electrophysiology and tele-ophthalmology.

Position Summary

This Research Fellowship in Ophthalmology/Ocular Genetics will provide an opportunity to be directly involved in translational research projects. Preference will be given to MD or OD candidates with some research experience in genetics or vision science. While the fellowship may emphasize the investigation of inherited retinal disorders in clinical trials, there will be an opportunity to research other disorders with systemic and ocular findings. The fellow may undertake molecular genetic experiments in a closely linked wet bench space supported by a highly competent research technician.

The fellow will develop competencies in the planning, investigation, conduct and management of clinical protocols related to either natural history of disease or interventions. As free time permits and where the fellow has certification, the fellow may attend clinics in Ocular Genetics. The fellow will have the opportunity to collaborate with departmental researchers, colleagues and researchers in Alberta Vision Net.

Duties

Specific opportunities and duties may include:

• acquiring/analyzing fundus imaging, microperimetry, spectral domain OCT, and perimetry;
• learning techniques of visual electrophysiology;
• genetic analysis, sequencing, variant classification, confirmation of pathogenicity of variants;
• presentation of research results at local, national and international meetings;
• preparation of grants;
• preparation and authorship of manuscripts;
• training allied health care personnel, medical students, and residents

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference will be given to MD or OD candidates with some research experience in genetics or vision science.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.