Job Summary

The Neuroscience AI & Automation Research Assistant in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy at the University of Calgary is a hybrid role at the intersection of biological science and engineering. Operating as a “Systems Architect for the Brain,” you will design the automated hardware and software pipelines that allow neuroscientists to collect and analyze massive datasets. This role requires the “wit” to implement machine learning models for image analysis and the “grit” to troubleshoot custom-built automated rigs in a high-pressure lab environment.

Job Details

Employer: University of Calgary (Cumming School of Medicine).
Department: Cell Biology and Anatomy.
Position Type: Full-time, Fixed-Term.
Location: Calgary, AB (Main Campus / Foothills Campus).
Core Function: Automation Design, AI Implementation, and Research Support.

Key Responsibilities: The Automation Pipeline

You will serve as the technical backbone of the lab, moving research from manual observation to high-throughput, automated discovery.

Automated System Design: Build and maintain hardware/software interfaces for microscopy, behavioral tracking, or electrophysiology.
AI & Machine Learning: Develop or implement “Computer Vision” algorithms to automate the detection of neurons, synapses, or animal behaviors in large video datasets.
Data Integration: Collaborate with neurobiologists to ensure that automated systems produce high-quality, reproducible data that aligns with biological hypotheses.
Scientific Communication: Assist in writing manuscripts, drafting technical methods sections, and preparing figures for publication in top-tier journals.
Lab Operations: Maintain detailed documentation of code (GitHub), hardware schematics, and experimental protocols to ensure long-term project stability.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

The “Quantitative Biologist”: A Bachelor’s degree is required, though an MSc in a quantitative discipline (e.g., Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or Computational Neuroscience) is highly preferred.
Research Wit: 2–5 years of hands-on research experience, ideally involving Python, MATLAB, or C++ for lab automation.
Technical Mastery: Familiarity with microcontrollers (Arduino/Raspberry Pi), 3D printing for lab custom parts, or AI frameworks like PyTorch/TensorFlow.
Communication Grit: Proven ability to translate complex technical engineering concepts for a biological audience and vice versa.

Technical Insights: AI in Cell Biology

Your work will likely focus on overcoming the “Big Data” bottleneck in modern anatomy and cell biology.

Image Segmentation: You will likely use “U-Net” or similar deep learning architectures to segment cell boundaries in 3D tissue stacks, a task that would take humans hundreds of hours.
Real-Time Automation: You may design closed-loop systems where an AI detects a specific neural state and triggers a biological stimulus (like optogenetics) in real-time.
Behavioral Mapping: Using tools like “DeepLabCut,” you will automate the tracking of animal poses to quantify the effects of neurological treatments or genetic modifications.

Diversity and Statistics at UCalgary

The University of Calgary is a leader in promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) within STEM and medical research.

Interdisciplinary Impact: The Cumming School of Medicine is one of the highest-ranked in Canada, serving a diverse student body of 36,000.
Indigenous Strategy (ii’ taa’poh’to’p): The university works with 18 Elders to ensure that medical research is conducted with cultural competency and respect for Indigenous health perspectives.
The “Entrepreneurial” Spirit: As Canada’s leader in start-up creation, UCalgary encourages Research Assistants to think like “Inventors,” often leading to patentable automation technologies or software.
Inclusive Hiring: Research shows that diverse teams are more innovative. UCalgary actively removes barriers for women and racialized minorities in quantitative roles, where they have been historically underrepresented.

Job Description

Do you believe that the secrets of the brain are hidden in data too large for the human eye to see? The University of Calgary is seeking a Neuroscience AI & Automation Research Assistant to join the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy. We aren’t just “running experiments”; we are building the machines that make those experiments possible. If you have the “grit” to wire a custom sensor and the “wit” to train a neural network, you belong in our lab.

In this role, you are a “Technology Bridge.” You understand that the future of neuroscience is automated, objective, and data-driven. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Research Engineering,” ensuring our lab stays at the absolute cutting edge of cell biology. We look for “Integrity-first” researchers who are as comfortable with a soldering iron as they are with a keyboard.

Joining UCalgary means joining a world-class medical research community in one of Canada’s most enterprising cities. We offer a sophisticated environment where your quantitative skills will have a direct impact on groundbreaking neurological discovery. If you are a technical professional with a commitment to “Innovation and Collaborative Science,” we invite you to apply and help us automate the future of neuroscience.

University of Calgary: Daring to Imagine “Ahead of Tomorrow”

The University of Calgary (UCalgary) is defined by a culture of entrepreneurial spirit, audacity, and “can-do” Western energy. As one of Canada’s top five research universities, its mission—codified in the “Ahead of Tomorrow” strategic plan—is to tackle “wicked” societal challenges through transdisciplinary innovation. The workplace culture is rooted in collegiality and respect, emphasizing that “curiosity-driven investigation” thrives best in an inclusive environment. UCalgary moves with the speed of a startup but the responsibility of a public institution, fostering a “Living Lab” ecosystem where students and faculty are encouraged to be “pioneers at heart.”

The UCalgary footprint is a massive, multi-campus network that mirrors the diversity of the Alberta landscape:

Main Campus (NW Calgary): Spanning over 200 hectares, this is the university’s vibrant heart. It features the Taylor Family Digital Library, one of North America’s most technology-rich hubs, and the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, a pioneer in pedagogical research.
The Olympic Oval: A legacy of the 1988 Winter Games, this iconic facility is known for having the “Fastest Ice on Earth” and serves as a premier high-performance training center for athletes globally.
Foothills Campus: Located south of the main site, this is the epicenter of health innovation, home to the Cumming School of Medicine and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, adjacent to the Foothills Medical Centre.
Downtown Campus: Situated in the heart of Calgary’s business district, this campus connects the university with industry leaders, offering professional programs and hosting the Haskayne School of Business executive education.
Spy Hill Campus: Located in northwest Calgary, this campus supports specialized research and clinical training for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Working or studying here means being part of a top 100 global university for entrepreneurs. Whether you are engaging with Calgary’s business core or conducting genomics research, the experience is defined by the university’s commitment to “ii’ taa’poh’to’p”—its Indigenous Strategy—walking a parallel path toward truth and reconciliation while building a sustainable future.

To apply for this job please visit careers.ucalgary.ca.