PhD and MSc student positions are currently available in our lab in the field of muscle and muscle stem cell health during tissue regeneration, disease and aging at the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa.
These projects will explore the cellular hallmarks and possible therapeutic targeting of signalling mechanisms that affect muscle health with a particular focus on alterations of NAD+ metabolism, NAD+-dependent poly-ADP-ribosylation or acetylation.
Check out the Menzies laboratoy’s previous work defining key molecular mechanisms that regulate dystrophin expression in muscle (J Cell Biol 2022, https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.202104022) and that identify the importance of NAD+-signalling homeostasis, as as druggable pathway, in muscle stem cells during aging (Science 2016, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27127236/) or in muscle during muscular dystrophy (Sci Transl Med 2016, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27798264/).
The successful applicants will be responsible for performing experiments in the laboratory, including basic molecular biology techniques, tissue culture, primary myoblast culture and differentiation, and rodent phenotyping or human tissue processing and analysis. The successful applicants will carry out data analysis resulting from these experiments, perform bioinformatic analyses and will help with manuscript preparation/writing.
Prime candidates will be extremely diligent and motivated researchers with strong interpersonal and communication skills. A bachelor’s degree in related fields (such as health sciences, biomedical sciences, biochemistry, or biology) will be required. Additionally, any previous experience in biosciences-based research or knowledge of techniques related to transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics, or molecular biology, will be considered an asset.
New students will be given opportunities for team-based learning, to share their work at renowned conferences, and will receive access to a strong network of interdisciplinary and international collaborators. Furthermore, new students will be incorporated as scholars or associate scholars of our Metabolomics Advanced Training and International Exchange Program (MATRIX), which provides leading-edge training in metabolomics.
Funding for projects on muscle health and muscle stem cell fate and function during aging and regeneration is held with the national (NSERC and CIHR) and international funding (AFM-Téléthon).
We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all trainees. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including members of underrepresented groups. We therefore welcome applications from women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities/racialized individuals and LGBTQI2S+ persons.
If interested, contact our team here: kmenzies@uottawa.ca or hit us up on twitter @Menzies_lab. Please include a letter of interest, CV and transcript.