Postdoctoral Fellow in Islet Biology

This position is part of the Post Doctoral Fellows Association and has an initial appointment of two years, with the possibility of renewal.

This position has a comprehensive benefits package.

Location -  This role is in-person at North Campus, Edmonton.

Working at 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 FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the Department of Pharmacology

The University of Alberta in Edmonton, a top teaching and research university in Canada, boasts an international reputation in the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering, and health sciences.

The Department of Pharmacology, part of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, is well-funded by provincial, national, and international agencies, maintaining a strong research profile. Collaborations with other departments and institutions in Canada and internationally are common. Research strengths include molecular, neuropharmacology, cardiovascular, diabetes, and obesity pharmacology.

The Alberta Diabetes Institute (ADI), one of Canada’s largest diabetes research institutes, supports research in Population Health, Risk and Prevention, Immunology and Cell Therapies, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Clinical Trials, and Islet Cell Biology. An active Trainee Working Group fosters a vibrant research community through events and activities, while core resources like histological services, molecular facilities, and cellular imaging support researchers. Islet Biology is a growing focus, particularly with recent recruitments and infrastructure support through the Canada Excellence Research Chair in the Islet Microenvironment program.

Position Summary

The MacDonald Lab (www.bcell.org) at the Alberta Diabetes Institute would like to hear from postdoctoral candidates with a keen interest in advancing understanding of insulin and other hormones, as well as the function of pancreatic islets. Diverse backgrounds, skill sets and experiences are welcome, and we are particularly interested in hearing from candidates keen to lead in one of the following projects:

• The molecular regulation of insulin secretion. In particular, the characterization of new (unpublished) transgenic models to study SENP1 (e.g. PMID: 38184650)
• The development of novel approaches to assessing the human pancreas, including live pancreas slice methodologies that may include cellular imaging or labelling approaches
• Leveraging complex multi-modal phenotyping data to develop new benchmarking tools (e.g. via www.humanislets.com; PMID: 39357523)

Our team combines senior scientists, technical staff, fellows, and trainees who investigate islet cell physiology. In addition to Institute and Faculty resources, we have developed a number of key programs to support our researchers. These include a world-leading human pancreas and islet biobanking program (www.isletcore.ca), internal bioinformatics support, and training and networking supports through our leading role in the Canadian Islet Research and Training Network (www.islets.ca).