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The Songbird Neuroethology Laboratory (SNL, https://songbirdneuroethologylab.weebly.com/ ) in the Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta is hiring a full-time postdoctoral researcher to lead behavioral/neurobiological research examining how songbird communication in an integrative fashion. Our work is currently focused on understanding the cognitive, perceptual, evolutionary, developmental, and neural bases underlying chickadees’ perception of the acoustic (vocal) categories (i.e., note-types, call types) contained in their calls and songs, as a first step towards a comprehensive understanding songbird acoustic communication. The SNL is funded by an NSERC Discovery Grant and the Faculty of Science. We currently have an active and highly collaborative laboratory, with four graduate students, one honors student, a full time laboratory manager, and several other undergraduate students involved in various capacities. We maintain over 100 wild-caught black-capped chickadees and domestically-raised zebra finches for use in our experiments. We have built a laboratory housing all conceivable equipment that our trainees could potentially need to pursue almost any research question they choose related to our overarching theme of songbird communication, cognition, and neuroethology. This includes 20 custom-designed and recently-upgraded operant conditioning setups, eight sound-attenuating chambers, a fully-equipped microscopy lab, as well as top-of-the-line bioacoustic analysis software. We also have a fully equipped histology facility (shared with Dr. Clayton Dickson, Dr. Peter Hurd, and Dr. Lauren Guillette). With the research infrastructure we have made available, there are no barriers to the questions that the trainees can ask, and as such, the students and postdoctoral fellows have continually found novel uses for the equipment, addressing their research questions using the best and most appropriate equipment available. Former postdoctoral researchers, for instance, have investigated mechanisms of chickadee call perception in the lab and field, midsession reversal learning in chickadees, and the impacts of anthropogenic noise on perception. The successful candidate will have all of these facilities at their disposal during their fellowship. The appointment will initially be for two years and will be renewable for up to two additional years subject to satisfactory performance and budgetary availability. Starting date is negotiable but start dates between September 2022 to January 2023 are preferred. Successful candidates will be expected to apply for external funding with the help of the Principal Investigator (PI). International and domestic applicants will be accepted. The candidate shall possess: A Ph.D. in psychology or related field (e.g., behavioral ecology, animal behaviour with an interest in animal cognition/learning) Experience conducting behavioral and/or neurobiological experiments with animals in the laboratory or the field Excellent communication and organizational skills A strong record of publications, conference presentations, and public outreach The ability to work on a team, lead a team, and also to work independently A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in work practices Experience working with birds (desirable) Responsibilities include: Design and implement projects related to the aims of the SNL, in consultation with the PI and other research collaborators Assist in the oversight of graduate and undergraduate student research projects, and other personnel, to achieve targeted research objectives within timelines, in consultation with the PI Manage day-to-day operation of research laboratory, including maintaining equipment and supplies, overseeing troubleshooting of problems, and ensuring adherence to safety protocols Analyze, interpret, and report research results; assist in preparation of publications and grant applications; present results in meetings, seminars, and conferences Engage in public outreach with diverse audiences How to Apply: To apply, please forward the following and send them in one email to Dr. Christopher Sturdy (csturdy@ualberta.ca): (1) A two-page statement of research interests (2) Your CV (3) Three pdfs of representative publications (4) Contact information for three references (5) A one page diversity statement (applicants should identify their strengths and experiences with equity, diversity and inclusion, such as supporting diverse and/or underrepresented students) The SNL, the Department of Psychology, and the University of Alberta are committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

The MSFHR Health Policy Fellowship is a salary award for post-doctoral fellows involved in health research who are interested in preparing for careers in a variety of health research and research user roles. Fellows undertake short-term (six to 12 months) policy assignments via placements within the BC Ministry of Health (MoH) or at one of the province’s health authorities. These placements may be separate from or complementary to a fellow’s current academic research. The Health Policy Fellowship Program is designed to foster positive and constructive exchanges between health researchers and health system decision-makers in order to bridge the gap between the worlds of academic research and health policy. It provides a unique training opportunity for candidates to learn about, and contribute to, the policy making process through the application of their health research knowledge, expertise and analytical skills as part of a policy team. Equally, health system decision-makers gain access to individuals trained in health research to work on the scientific and technical aspects of health policy. Fostering collaborations between researchers and research users is a KT strategy intended to increase the uptake of research evidence. This approach increases the likelihood that research findings will be both relevant and applicable to research users. The MSFHR Health Policy Fellowship is designed to create opportunities for health system decision-makers to work alongside researchers to promote the uptake of evidence-informed policy work as well as policy-relevant research. It is anticipated that this funding opportunity will help foster and maintain ongoing relationships and collaborations between health researchers and decision-makers. FUNDING AVAILABILITY The budget envelope for this funding opportunity is $450,000, enough to fund at least nine fellowships. One fellowship will be assigned to each of the seven BC health authorities, and two fellowships will be assigned to BC MoH. The health policy fellowship consists of a salary stipend and a relocation/travel allowance. The fellowship provides up to one year of salary support at $45,000 per annum, prorated as required depending on the length of the policy assignment. Benefits are not included in the salary stipend. If not already provided by the award recipient’s academic host institution, it is the responsibility of award recipients to purchase their own health and/or other extended benefits. A one-time allowance of up to $5,000 is available to help defray the costs of relocation, and, if permitted by the policy assignment supervisor (see section 6), to defray costs for attendance at science or health policy conferences or meetings, such as the annual CAHSPR Conference or Canadian Science Policy Conference either during or up to three months following the end of the fellowship. For complete information on eligible expenses, please refer to the Award Management & Eligible Expenses document on MSFHR’s website. Stipends and the research/travel allowance are valued in Canadian dollars and are taxable. INTENT The intent of the Health Policy Fellowship program is to provide highly qualified candidates at the post-doctoral level with a unique opportunity to learn about and participate in the health policy-making process at the provincial government or health authority level. The budget envelope for this funding opportunity is $450,000, enough to fund at least nine (9) fellowships. FURTHER INFORMATION https://www.msfhr.org/funding/health-policy-fellowship