Description

A postdoctoral position is available in the Brain, Body, and Perception Research Program https://bbp.lab.utoronto.ca/ to study neural and behavioural phenotypes associated with appearance perception in clinical and nonclinical populations

Description: Our lab studies brain and behavioural phenotypes across disorders of body image, including body dysmorphic disorder and eating disorders, with the goal of improving understanding and developing better treatments for these understudied conditions. The lab has produced seminal and first-in-field research in the neurobiology of body dysmorphic disorder and related disorders of body image. Our group uses multimodal neuroimaging (task-based and resting-state fMRI, diffusion MRI, structural MRI, and EEG), neuromodulation (TMS), and physiological tools (ECG, eye-tracking, and psychophysics). We also develop and use novel digital 3D tools to assess body size estimation accuracy and body dissatisfaction in individuals with disorders of body image and in nonclinical populations. We employ multivariate approaches, machine learning, and other computational techniques to model behavioural, physiological, and neural responses and to predict clinical outcomes. Our research is funded by multiple active CIHR, U.S. NIH, and foundation grants.

The University of Toronto and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health offer a rich clinical and scientific environment, with extensive neuroimaging, neuromodulation, and computational research infrastructure. CAMH is one of the world’s leading mental health research hospitals, with access to deeply phenotyped clinical populations, advanced neuroimaging resources, and extensive interdisciplinary collaborations across CAMH, the University of Toronto, and affiliated institutions.

You will be joining a productive and collaborative group using advanced neuroimaging techniques and creative software and hardware development grounded in strong clinical neuroscience and psychiatric research. The position offers opportunities to contribute to both ongoing funded studies and the development of independent projects aligned with the applicant’s interests. The PI (Dr. Feusner) will provide mentoring and guidance, including manuscript development, fellowship and grant applications, and support for building an independent research trajectory.

Responsibilities:
Responsibilities will include leading and contributing to neuroimaging and behavioural data analyses; contributing to study design, interpretation, and manuscript preparation; mentoring students and research assistants; and potentially contributing to computational method development and grant development, depending on the applicant’s interests and expertise.

Requirements

Requirements: Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in neuroscience, cognitive science, computer science, engineering, biostatistics, physics, psychology, or related fields. Candidates must have experience analyzing fMRI data, including statistical analysis software such as FSL, AFNI, SPM, or related platforms. Experience with machine learning is an asset. The successful applicant will be able to function independently, work on multiple projects in a collaborative team setting, and lead and mentor trainees. The successful applicant will have strong quantitative and programming skills (Matlab, Python, R, and/or bash scripting), and strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

Applicants with interests in clinical neuroimaging, computational psychiatry, visual neuroscience, body representation, perception, or translational neuroscience are particularly encouraged to apply.

To apply: Please send your CV and either a research statement (1–2 pages) or cover letter describing your research experience, your specific interests in this position, and how this position fits with your career goals to Dr. Kirk Geier: kirk.geier@camh.ca

Salary will be commensurate with experience and institutional guidelines. Start date is flexible.

Visa sponsorship support may be available for exceptional international candidates.