Postdoctoral Fellow - Surgery

University of Manitoba

Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba
Department of Surgery
Postdoctoral Fellow, Position # 34791

We are inviting applications for a post-doctoral fellow position within a translational biomedical engineering and neurosciences laboratory (PI: Dr. F. Zeiler) situated at Health Sciences Centre, University of Manitoba. The laboratory is focused on the fundamental understanding of cerebrovascular physiology. The Zeiler lab trains graduate/post-graduate trainees through Biomedical Engineering, Surgery, and Human Anatomy and Cell Sciences.

The facility is comprised of over 2000 sq ft of cutting-edge biomedical engineering facilities for research into fundamental cerebral physiologic relationships, network and state-space model development, and novel device creation/testing. It is the central data processing hub for various national and international research initiatives in cerebral physiologic and biomechanical neural injury, including: Canadian High-Resolution TBI (CAHR-TBI) Research Collaborative (Chair/Lead Site), the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in TBI (CENTER-TBI) study, Canadian Traumatic Brain Injury Research Collaborative (CTRC) and the Genetic Association In Neurotrauma (GAIN) initiative. This laboratory is considered a global leader in novel cerebral physiologic device and metric development.

The position is expected to commence in May 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter (based on funding availability and VISA processing timelines) and is expected to run for a 1-year period (renewal for 2nd year is commensurate with satisfactory performance and future funding acquisition). This is a full-time position with a minimum starting salary of $40,000 CAD per annum (with benefits).

Responsibilities:
As a postdoc in this laboratory, the successful candidate will work under the direct supervision of Dr. Frederick Zeiler, providing advanced computing and statistical support to the entire research group in Winnipeg, while also being engaged in various national and international research initiatives. The specific work will focus on the development of novel image processing techniques for digitization of healthcare information directly from the medical device displays, using optical character recognition (OCR) methodologies.

The goal over the 1-year period is to create functional user-friendly software that facilitates accurate and continuous data extraction from medical device screens. The project and position are supported through provincial grant funding and NSERC. This work will involve providing computer science, applied mathematics, and biomedical engineering support to researchers in the laboratory (including undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate trainees).

The incumbent will consult with and train researchers on the development of custom biosignal processing pipelines, integrating OCR methodologies for data acquisition for medical device interfaces and coding of user-friendly software interfaces for eventual deployment in simulated and real-world medical environments.

As a postdoc, you will: Conduct independent research, check data quality and data normalization, write custom coding pipelines for physiologic signal analysis and image processing; assist in developing, devising or improving existing bioinformatics methods, practices and procedures; work with human data, be responsible for the integration of such data streams with other clinical data, coding custom software pipelines, presenting to the public and/or science communities; write scientific manuscripts for peer-review publications, and engage with industry partners.

Qualifications:
• PhD required (no later than 5 years since graduation) in fields of: biomedical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or applied mathematics.
• Strong background in computer programming, applied mathematics and statistical analysis is required.
• Strong background with coding in Python is required.
• Previous experience with image analysis and OCR methods is preferred.
• Proven track record of peer-reviewed publications is required.

Additional Information: Applicants should submit their application including a curriculum vitae and the names and addresses (including e-mail addresses and phone numbers) of three references to the address below:

Name: Dr. Frederick A. Zeiler
Email Address: Frederick.zeiler@umanitoba.ca

Applications will be received until the position is filled.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Manitoba). Please note that curricula vitae may be provided to participating members of the search process.

The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities). All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

The Rady Faculty of Health Sciences is committed to the social justice principles of equity, access & participation and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, Black, racially marginalized communities, disabled persons and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).

An inclusive, open and diverse community is essential to excellence and fosters voices that have been ignored or discouraged. To address the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences commitment to equity, access and participation, and in recognition of the underrepresentation of members of historically and currently excluded groups, we take proactive measures including implicit bias training for all hiring panels. We strive for diversity and cultural safety throughout the hiring process (hiring panels, short-list of candidates, interviews). The University acknowledges the potential impact that Career Interruptions and Personal Circumstances can have on an applicant's record of research achievement. Measures will be taken to ensure that these leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the evaluation process.

We encourage you to self-identity aspects of your identity that position you to bring currently under-represented viewpoints, expertise and forms of excellence to this role.

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact UM.Accommodation@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.