Computational Neuroscience – Canada Research Chair (Tier 2)

York University

The Department of Psychology, in the Faculty of Health at York University, invites highly qualified applicants for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) at the rank of Assistant/Associate position in Computational Neuroscience. This is a tenure-track appointment to the Professorial Stream to commence July 1, 2024.

This is a Canada Research Chair Tier 2 appointment. The Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program seeks to attract outstanding researchers for careers at Canadian universities. Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., within 10 years of attaining their highest degree at the time of nomination, with consideration for career breaks) who have the acknowledged potential to lead their field of research. Appointment to a Tier 2 Chair is for five years, is renewable once, and comes with enhanced research support from the program. Applicants who are more than 10 years from their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, including maternity leave, extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. Please see the CRC website for further eligibility details.

York acknowledges the potential impact of various life circumstances (e.g., illness, disability, caregiving, family commitments) on a candidate’s record of research and other achievements. Candidates are encouraged to describe such circumstances and their impact in their application. This information will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

Recognizing the underrepresentation of women and gender minorities among CRCs, this position is open only to qualified researchers who indicate on the Affirmative Action self-identification form (see below) that they identify as women or gender non-conforming (e.g., genderfluid, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, trans man, trans woman). The appointment is part of the University’s Affirmative Action program, which is based on the special program provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code.

This position is a key part of York’s strategy to accelerate its progress toward being recognized nationally and internationally as a top comprehensive, research-intensive university. This is a research-enhanced faculty position partially funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund VISTA (Vision: Science to Applications) program. The successful candidate will engage with, and benefit from, the VISTA program, which focuses on the intersection between biological and computational vision research. The VISTA program is supported by a total of $120 million in funding over seven years. The successful candidate will be eligible for enhanced start-up funds from VISTA. A key faculty resource includes access to a state-of-the-art MRI facility dedicated to research.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to join unique interdisciplinary Organized Research Units (ORUs) at York, including the Centre for Vision Research, the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Society, and the new Centre for Integrative and Applied Neuroscience.  The successful applicant can also elect to become a member of the Connected Minds program, which focuses on scholarship in three main themes: I. Co-creating Research for Societal Needs and Predicted Impact; II. Fundamentals of Social Interaction: Neural, Algorithmic, and Social Networks; and III. Designing and Developing Socially Responsible Technologies. The successful applicant can also elect to be considered for appointment to the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence as a Vector Faculty Affiliate or Faculty Member.  Located in Toronto, The Vector Institute is home to over 700 active researchers with broad expertise in AI.

Candidate Qualifications:

Degree: PhD in Psychology, Computational Neuroscience, Neuroscience or related field is required. We welcome applicants with expertise in developing and applying innovative computational methodologies (e.g., big data analytics, supervised and unsupervised deep models, reinforcement learning, dynamical systems, Bayesian models, information theoretic approaches) to diverse forms of visual neuroscience data (e.g., behavioural, fMRI, EEG, single-unit or multi-unit recordings). Post-doctoral experience is strongly preferred.

Scholarship:

• A coherent and well-articulated program of research and specialization in computational neuroscience with application to visual perception, broadly defined.
• A record or evident promise of generating innovative, substantive, rigorous, and as appropriate, externally funded research. For Associate Professor level, record of external grants is required.
• A record or evident promise of making influential contributions and demonstrating excellence in the field (e.g., publications in top-tier journals, invited presentations, patents). 

Teaching:

• A record or evident promise of excellence in teaching and dedication to students. Evidence of excellence or promise of excellence in teaching will be provided through a teaching statement that articulates teaching philosophy and documents teaching and supervisory accomplishments and pedagogical innovations, including curricular development, teaching evaluations, supervision of research students and letters of reference).
• Ability to teach graduate-level classes in computational methods for statistical modeling, computational/theoretical neuroscience, and undergraduate level classes in statistics & research methods for psychology students.
• Suitability for prompt appointment to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, given that the position will involve graduate teaching and supervision.
• For Associate Professor level, a record of graduate student supervision, as well as undergraduate teaching experience, is required.

Hiring Policies:

• Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.
• York is an Affirmative Action (AA) employer and strongly values diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, in its community. Details of the AA Program, which applies to women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, can be found here or by contacting Christal Chapman, EDI Program Manager (chapman7@yorku.ca; 416-736-5713).
• York welcomes and employs scholars from all over the world. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Indigenous peoples of Canada will be given priority.
• York has a policy on Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities and is committed to working towards a barrier-free workplace and expanding the accessibility of the workplace to persons with disabilities. Applicants who require accommodation are invited to contact Dr. Jennifer Connolly, Chair, Department of Psychology, psychair@yorku.ca.

Application Process:

• Due date for completed applications: October 15, 2023.
• Required materials: 1) current CV; 2) cover letter of application (up to 400 words); 3) A research statement (up to 1200 words); 4) A teaching dossier (that includes a teaching statement (up to 800 words), course outlines from previously taught courses, and teaching evaluations); 5) The names and contact information for three referees willing to provide a confidential letter of reference. Reference letters will only be requested for shortlisted candidates. Referees should be able to provide informed letters of reference and be advised to address the candidate’s qualifications and teaching experience in relation to the position.
• Provide required information regarding your Canadian work status and optional self-identification for Affirmative Action purposes as part of the online application.
• All questions regarding this position should be directed to Dr. Erez Freud, Search Committee Chair, efreud@yorku.ca.

Submit materials: at HH_CRC_ComNeuro

Learn More About York:

• York University generates and shares knowledge through our research, teaching and engagement with communities around the world. The 2023-2028 Strategic Research Plan showcases the depth, breadth and ambition of research at York.
• York’s commitments to social justice are laid out in our Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, the Framework & Action Plan on Black Inclusion and the Indigenous Framework for York University.
• Follow the activities and accomplishments of York’s faculty, students and staff on YFile.

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