Centre d’innovation biomédicale, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal
The Biomedical Innovation Centre (BIC) is a major initiative of the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Medicine. Its mission is to explore the mysteries of human biology in order to decipher the fundamental mechanisms of living organisms and stimulate the discovery of new treatments.
The CIB’s 50 teams promote the integration of quantitative methods and innovative approaches, supported by state-of-the-art technological platforms, to better understand the functioning of living organisms, from the single molecule to their organization into complex cellular systems. Our in-depth research explores bacterial physiology and the discovery of new antibiotics, the structure of macromolecules and the regulation of genes and proteins, the cellular composition of the brain and computational neuroscience, the organization of our organs and tissues, and much more. We openly share our data, ideas and tools with the global scientific community to accelerate progress and unlock the full potential of our discoveries.
Located in the province of Quebec in Canada, Montreal offers a unique blend of European charm and North American vibrancy with its world-class cuisine and rich cultural scene with countless festivals and events. Beyond the lively atmosphere, Montreal boasts a thriving job market, affordable living, and a welcoming, bilingual community. From its stunning parks and green spaces to its dynamic nightlife and arts scene, Montreal provides an exceptional quality of life.
The CIB is seeking applications from talented prospective postdoctoral fellows for a two-year fellowship program in the fields investigated by its researchers.
Objectives
The objectives of the program are to:
- Attract the best postdoctoral researchers from around the world and future leaders in fields and topics related to the strategic priorities of the Center for Biomedical Innovation (CIB), Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal (UdeM);
- Promote the retention of the most talented individuals from our laboratories;
- Foster the development of cutting-edge collaborative and applied research projects;
- Offer an immersive experience in the UdeM ecosystem.
Funding description
The annual amount allocated includes the full salary of the postdoctoral fellow according to the principles established by the Université de Montréal. This includes up to CAD$63,819 in salary/year plus full benefits.
The total duration of the grant is a maximum of two years.
This fellowship cannot be combined with another nominative scholarship from a granting agency to exceed the maximum amount of the scholarship (e.g. NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR).
Applicants from countries eligible for Canada’s official development assistance may, upon request, be reimbursed for their relocation expenses to Quebec according to the rules of this program.
Eligibility criteria
The candidate:
- Obtained their doctorate (Ph.D.) less than three years before the start of funding; or
- Plans to obtain their doctorate by the start of funding; and
- Must maintain their postdoctoral fellow status for the duration of the funding (2 years).
Applications from under-represented groups are strongly encouraged*.
The supervisor must :
- Be a regular member of the Faculty of Medicine AND the IBC ;
- Hold one of the following eligible positions: research professor, professor (including sub-grant and clinical professors) at the rank of assistant, associate or full professor;
- Not be or have been the candidate’s thesis supervisor or co-supervisor.
Application process
Candidates should submit their applications to [email protected].
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
The application must include :
- Application form
- Description of your potential project (maximum 3 pages; references may be listed on an additional page) ;
- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) explaining the career profile envisaged and the relevance of the postdoctoral fellowship in this context.
- Your CV (free format, in PDF) ;
- Your official doctoral transcripts (please explain the grading system for non-Canadian universities) ;
- At least two letters of recommendation;
- You can also include a letter of support from an eligible supervisor, if this person has already agreed to support your application.
Applications may be submitted in English or French.
Application deadline: May 27, 2025
Further details, including a list of eligible potential supervisors and projects of interest, are available on our website (see below).
*Please refer to the application form for the relevant definitions.
16 Projects available
The projects described below have been submitted by CIB’s principal investigators. You can contact them to discuss this opportunity before submitting your application. You can also tailor your application to one of the projects listed. Each project is not necessarily associated with a grant. The application will be subject to the same evaluation process, depending on the funding available.
Genetic variants of KCNA and KCNB in iPSC-derived neural networks
Supervisor: Rikard Blunck
Voltage-gated potassium channels play a dual role in the neurons with repolarization after an excitation and adjusting neuronal excitability. In collaboration with the genetic screening facility at the Ste-Justine Children’s Hospital and with collaborators in Europe, we study the effects of genetic variants identified in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders and developmental epileptic encephalopathy. The aim of this project is to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the genetic variants using electrophysiology and voltage-clamp fluorometry in combination with protein biochemistry and molecular dynamics simulations. We will then use patient-biosamples to generate iPSCs or gene-edit the variant into iPSCs. The effect on the function and excitability of the iPSC-derived neuronal networks will be studied using dual patch-clamp and multi-electrode array measurements.
The project is part of a larger effort to identify personalized treatment to rare diseases. As such, the laboratory is – in addition to the Center for Biomedical Innovation – part of the Center for interdisciplinary research on brain and learning (CIRCA) and the Rare disease network Québec (RareQC).
Laboratory website: www.biophys.umontreal.ca/bluncklab
Publication: https: //pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38503299/
A New Generation of autonomous AI-driven Neural Interfaces for Neurostimulation
Supervisor: Marco Bonizzato
This work introduces a novel method for optimizing neural interfaces capable of accelerating their configuration and deployment by several orders of magnitude.
We previously demonstrated the effectiveness of Bayesian Optimization (BO) for selecting neurostimulation parameters in animal models (rat, non-human primate), thereby maximizing motor output and achieving significant improvements in locomotion following spinal cord injury.
However, the computational cost of BO remains high and significantly increases with the number of iterations. In practice, the method quickly becomes resource-intensive, making it unsuitable for prolonged periods or for extremely rapid optimization.
We thus propose exploring deep learning and reinforcement learning methods to overcome these limitations. This approach supports the BO algorithmic decision-maker, enabling it to efficiently and rapidly identify optimal neurostimulation parameters.
Compared to current techniques, which are lengthy and costly, this accelerated optimization could significantly facilitate the clinical application of neuroprosthetics.
https://polymtl.ca/expertises/en/bonizzato-marco
Reward Circuit Stimulation to Restore Movement After Neurotrauma
Supervisor: Marco Bonizzato
This project explores, using a rat model, the application of deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting the brain’s reward and motor learning circuits to enhance motor recovery following neurotrauma, particularly spinal cord injuries.
Although such injuries significantly reduce mobility, some neural connections persist and can be strengthened through rehabilitation. However, recovery often remains limited.
By specifically stimulating reward circuits involved in motor learning, this approach could immediately improve motor function and in the long-term promote sustained recovery of voluntary control. We use adaptive, closed-loop DBS to shape movement execution during rehabilitation training.
The project aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of this DBS modality—a technology already clinically used for other conditions (Parkinson’s, dystonia) but still unexplored for paralysis. Ultimately, this strategy could become an innovative clinical treatment for people living with paralysis.
https://polymtl.ca/expertises/en/bonizzato-marco
Exploring the proteome of pathogenic RNAs with nucleotide expansion repeats
Supervisor: Pascal Chartrand
The Chartrand lab is looking for a motivated postdoctoral fellow interested to study the proteome of toxic RNA with nucleotide repeat expansions, like CUG, CAG or CGG, involved in the pathogenesis of several neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases, like myotonic dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spinocerebellar ataxias. This project aims to understand how these toxic repeat RNAs can sequester and disrupt the function of proteins involved in RNA metabolism. This project is in collaboration with the lab of Dr. Éric Lécuyer at IRCM (Montréal), and funded by CIHR and Genome Quebec(https://www.ircm.qc.ca/en/news-detail/dr-lecuyer-and-dr-chartrand-winners-of-innovative-therapies-hereditary-ataxias-competition)
The successful candidate will lead pioneering work in the field using high-throughput imaging screen and RNA-based proximity labeling (BioID) assays to identify common RNA-binding proteins associated with nucleotide repeat expansions. Our laboratory also uses leading-edge techniques in single-molecule imaging, RNA and protein biochemistry, cellular models of diseases, and functional genomics to dissect the roles of RNA-binding proteins involved in the pathogenesis of repeat expansion diseases. For more information about the Chartrand lab: https://recherche.umontreal.ca/english/our-researchers/professors-directory/researcher/is/in14535/
Neurophysiological Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in Preclinical Models of Stroke
Supervisor: Numa Dancause
A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Numa Dancause at the Université de Montréal,
Department of Neurosciences. Our group investigates the mechanisms underlying movement control, neural
plasticity involved in motor recovery post-brain injury, and the effects of neuromodulation techniques such as
repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the brain. We employ rodent and macaque monkey models, and benefit from collaborations with human-focused research groups through our Canadian platform Can-Stim. Here is a full list of our published work.
The project: The postdoctoral fellow will investigate the effects of rTMS in macaque stroke models, integrating
neural and electromyographic recordings while employing an exoskeleton interface, the KINARM. The project will
involve:
- Conducting neural recordings in behaving monkeys.
- Implementing and analyzing lesion models and neuro-recovery processes.
- Programming in MATLAB or Python for data analysis.
- Collaborating with interdisciplinary neuroscience, engineering, computational and clinical rehabilitation
teams.
Your profile:
- Training in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, behavioral sciences, or a related field.
- Strong programming and electrophysiological data analysis skills, particularly in MATLAB or Python.
- Experience with electrophysiological techniques in vivo AND/OR neuromodulation techniques.
- Experience with behavioral shaping in non-human primates or other animals
- Motivation to pursue innovative research in neurobiology and motor rehabilitation.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a research team.
Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Brain and Learning; CIRCA
Innovation Fellow in Motor Cognition
Supervisors: Becket Ebitz and Numa Dancause
The Ebitz and Dancause labs in the Department of Neurosciences at the Université de Montréal are recruiting a postdoctoral fellow for a project at the interface of cognitive and motor control. Humans and other animals can produce the same action for multiple reasons. For example, they can grasp because they think it’s the best thing to do, because they’re curious about what will happen, or because they are bored. The goal of this project is to understand how these cognitive states shape the integration of motor control processes in the brain. The project will combine (1) large-scale neural recordings from the motor and premotor cortex with (2) cutting-edge computational models to infer the hidden cognitive states underlying action. There are also opportunities for causal perturbation studies that would combine large-scale neural recordings with electrical or transcranial magnetic stimulation. The ideal candidate will be interested in building on the insights from this project to develop technologies for motor rehabilitation.
https://recherche.umontreal.ca/english/our-researchers/professors-directory/researcher/is/in14962/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6np7KNyOe-w&ab_channel=MAINConference
Targeting a novel NAD dependent metabolic complex to treat cancer
Supervisor: Gerardo Ferbeyre
Contributors: Ivan Topisirovic and Malik Chaker-Margot
Cancer treatment is challenging due to similarities between cancer and normal cells. Cancer cells can adapt to stress, including chemotherapy, through metabolic changes. While mutations in cancer genes are traditionally seen as driving carcinogenesis, emerging evidence indicates epigenetic changes in cancer cells, unrelated to these mutations. Our team discovered a metabolic cycle in cells under oncogenic stress, catalyzed by a complex found in advanced prostate and breast cancers. Targeting this complex could offer a new treatment approach. We have already shown that targeting the individual enzymes in this complex using genetic tools show strong anti-neoplastic and anti-metastatic properties in pre-clinical breast cancer models. We aim now to design compounds that disrupt the complex without inhibiting its individual enzymes, based on understanding its biochemical and biophysical principles.
Key References:
Contact: [email protected]
Understanding embryonic development in latent space
Supervisor: Paul François
In living systems, all processes are intrinsically dynamic. But, even the most basic biological dynamics are of such high-dimensional character that it is often difficult to deduce representations containing the most essential features with high predictive power. The project’s goal is to develop approaches to build interpretable models of embryonic development, such as vertebrate segmentation or early cell-fate decisions, using tools from dynamical systems theory, theoretical biophysics, and machine learning. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in theoretical or computational physics/biology/biophysics/computer science, or a related field, and a strong interest in biology. Experience in machine learning techniques (in a broad sense) is a plus. The candidate will be part of a highly interdisciplinary team of theoretical biophysicists and bioinformaticians, and the project will be done in close collaboration with experimentalists.
Relevant links :
Francois Research Group: https: //www.francoisresearch.org/
Introductory article on latent space modelling developed in our group: https: //www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abq1679
Review on vertebrate segmentation: https: //arxiv.org/abs/2403.00457
The role of astrocytes in axonal information processing
Supervisor: Arlette Kolta
Neurons can be conceptualized as input-output systems, receiving, integrating, and processing information before generating an output signal. Neuronal communication depends on the reliable and efficient propagation of action potentials (APs) along the axon. Long regarded as a simple electrical cable whose sole function was to transmit AP trains; the axon is now recognized as a dynamic and complex structure. It exhibits morphological plasticity and is sensitive to both internal and external factors that can modulate AP waveforms (amplitude, width) and thus alter the amount of information transmitted. Among these factors, astrocytes have emerged as potential modulators of axonal transmission, notably through the release of gliotransmitters. S100β, a calcium-binding protein, is of particular interest due to its role in regulating extracellular calcium homeostasis and several voltage-gated channels expressed at all levels in the axonal compartment and involved in AP waveform modulation. This project seeks to understand how the gliotransmitters S100β modulate axonal transmission in the layer 5 pyramidal neurons (L5PN) of the visual cortex using a combination of high-end in vitro electrophysiology (bleb recording, paired recording), calcium and voltage imaging and immunohistochemistry.
Funding: https://webapps.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/decisions/p/project_details.html?applId=509122&lang=en
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fncel.2024.1477985/full
https://recherche.umontreal.ca/english/our-researchers/professors-directory/researcher/is/in13874/
Role of brainstem circuits in producing complex hand to mouth movements
Supervisor: Arlette Kolta
Feeding is a complex behavior which execution and modulation depend on integration of sensory, motor and limbic inputs by brainstem and spinal circuits coordinating jaw, tongue, facial and limb muscles. Mastication, which represents the rhythmic jaw movements responsible for breaking down ingested food to prepare it for digestion, is central to feeding. As for other rhythmic movements, this process is thought to be controlled by a neuronal network, called Central Pattern Generator, located primarily in the brainstem in this case.
However, feeding is more than just mastication and relies in many species on hand-to-mouth coordination. The sensori-motor integration required for this coordination is thought to occur in the motor cortex and to involve higher centers such as the cerebellum. However, recent unpublished data from our laboratory suggest that focal optogenetic stimulation of some trigeminal brainstem nuclei that are part of the masticatory CPG, can produce coordinated hand-to-mouth movements raising the possibility that complex motor behavior may be entirely represented at the level of the brainstem and the spinal cord. This project explores this hypothesis using optogenetics and viral tract tracings techniques in transgenic mice lines.
Funding: https://webapps.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/decisions/p/project_details.html?applId=322941&lang=en
https://recherche.umontreal.ca/english/our-researchers/professors-directory/researcher/is/in13874/
Contribution of astrocytes to changes in large primary afferents excitability associated to chronic muscle pain
Supervisor: Arlette Kolta
Muscle pain is associated to trigger points in many syndromes like fibromyalgia and with small spots when induced, with needles for EMG studies for instance. These spots are often associated to spontaneous electrical activity that seems to emanate from fibres inside muscle spindles. These observations, added to the reports that large diameter primary afferents (PAs) like those innervating muscle spindles become hyperexcitable and develop spontaneous ectopic firing in conditions leading to neuropathic pain, suggest that excitability changes of these afferents may contribute importantly to development of pathological pain. This project explores the cellular and ionic mechanisms leading to the development of this hyperexcitability and to ectopic firing with a particular emphasis on the contribution of neuron-glia interaction. Our previous work has shown the impact of an astrocytic Ca2+-binding protein, S100β, on neuronal functions supported by a persistent sodium current (INaP) implicating Na+ channels containing the a subunit Nav1.6. These channels play a crucial role in generating firing and regulating excitability of large diameter PAs. This project investigates the hypothesis that large diameter PAs hyperexcitability results from increased astrocytic (or satellite cells) activity leading to an increased S100β-mediated enhancement of function of Nav1.6 channels, using immunohistochemistry, electrophysiology, and Ca2+-imaging techniques, combined to optogenetic manipulations of astrocytes in transgenic mice lines.
Financing: https://webapps.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/decisions/p/project_details.html?applId=402085&lang=en
https://recherche.umontreal.ca/english/our-researchers/professors-directory/researcher/is/in13874/
Systematic design of cis-regulatory elements along developmental transitions
Supervisor: Jean-Benoît Lalanne
Regulatory elements are DNA fragments of the genome that respond to the biochemical state of cells to control expression of genes in space and time within complex organisms. The resulting specificity of gene expression control (where, when, how much) is thus encoded in the DNA sequence. Most previous quantitative experimental and computational work has focused on understanding differences in regulatory element function either within a fixed cellular state (e.g., in one cell line), or across highly distinct, discrete cellular states (e.g., different cell-types or lines). However, along differentiation trajectories, cells can occupy a continuum of intermediate states. Importantly diseased cells, such as some cancer cells, often only partially complete developmental transitions and display such hybrid character. This provides a strong biomedical rationale to design regulatory elements that can precisely detect such intermediate states. Leveraging genomics method development, high-content single-cell functional profiling, predictive mathematical modeling, and synthetic biology, this project aims to engineer regulatory element ‘sensors’ that respond uniquely to hybrid cellular states along developmental trajectories. Accomplishing this wedge goal requires pushing the limit of our quantitative understanding of the gene-regulatory code, and will leverage the lab’s newly developed single-cell-resolution barcoded enhancer method. The ideal candidate would have strong expertise in both experimental and computational genomics, mammalian cell culture, and molecular biology.
Links:
Lab website: lalannelab.org
Summary of our new method: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41592-024-02261-2
Structural Characterization of Regulatory Mechanisms Controlling let-7 microRNAs in Development and Cancer
Supervisor: Pascale Legault
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by binding to the 3′ untranslated region (3’UTR) of target mRNAs, promoting their degradation or translational repression. The let-7 family is a well-characterized and conserved group of miRNAs with critical roles in development, cell differentiation, and tumor suppression. Despite their biological importance, the mechanisms underlying the maturation and regulation of let-7 miRNAs remain poorly understood.
Our laboratory has recently identified a set of candidate proteins that bind to the stem-loop structures of immature let-7 precursors, using affinity purification and mass spectrometry. These proteins form a densely interconnected protein-protein interaction network, suggesting the presence of macromolecular assemblies involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of let-7 biogenesis.
This postdoctoral project aims to elucidate the structural basis of protein-mediated regulation of let-7 miRNAs. Specifically, we will (1) reconstitute RNA-protein complexes in vitro, (2) characterize their composition and dynamics using biochemical and biophysical approaches (EMSA, enzymatic assays, mass photometry, ITC, etc.) and (3) determine their structure via cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). By integrating structural data with functional assays, this work will uncover how specific proteins and protein complexes influence let-7 maturation and activity.
The successful candidate will join a dynamic and collaborative research team with strong expertise in RNA biology and structural biochemistry within the new Center for Biomedical Innovation, providing an excellent environment to support and advance their work. These studies will provide mechanistic insights into miRNA regulation and may reveal novel therapeutic targets relevant to development and cancer.
https://recherche.umontreal.ca/chercheur/is/in14566/
http://airen.bcm.umontreal.ca/
The Paradox of Parasitism: Evolutionary Dynamics of Nested Parasites in Marine Systems
Supervisor: Frédérique Le Roux
How can parasitism-a relationship where one organism harms or kills its host-persist in nature? Several mechanisms offer explanations: opportunistic or generalist pathogens, antagonistic coevolution with trade-offs, and even hyperparasitism, where parasites themselves are parasitized. In our lab, we explore this paradox through a marine model involving invertebrate pathogens (vibrios), their phages, and phage satellites. We host extensive collections of natural Vibrio populations and their phages, exhibiting striking genome size variation linked to lifestyle differences. As a postdoctoral fellow in bioinformatics, you will work with >600 Vibrio genomes, >1000 prophages, and >1000 virulent phages to investigate how mobile genetic elements shape parasitic interactions at multiple levels: Vibrio-oyster, Vibrio-phage, and phage-satellite. Your goals will be to (i) build a comprehensive catalog of mobile genetic elements, (ii) explore their evolution, ecology, and lifestyle, and (iii) identify co-occurrence or exclusion patterns and infer interactions. You are encouraged to bring your own expertise, questions, and creativity. Hypotheses generated in silico will be validated through experimental work in the lab, ensuring strong synergy between computation and benchwork. This project will shed light on how layered parasitism persists and evolves in natural ecosystems.
References
Piel D, et al. Phage-host coevolution in natural populations. Nat Microbiol. 2022
Combining Neurostimulation Approaches to Restore Walking After Spinal Cord Injury
Supervisor: Marina Martinez
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to lead an innovative project combining cortical and vagus nerve stimulation to restore voluntary locomotion after spinal cord injury (SCI).
Our team has developed two complementary neuromodulation approaches: cortical stimulation to enhance motor command generation and vagus nerve stimulation to reinforce motor learning. When applied in synchrony with intended leg movements during rehabilitation, these approaches promote motor recovery by harnessing cortico-spinal plasticity. However, no study has yet:
- Defined the specific contribution of vagus nerve stimulation to locomotor recovery.
- Investigated the potential synergistic effects of combining cortical and vagus nerve stimulation on plasticity and functional recovery.
This project will address these questions using a rat model of incomplete SCI, employing a combination of behavioral assessments and in vivo electrophysiology. The findings will directly support the integration of multimodal neuroprosthetic strategies into rehabilitation approaches for SCI.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for a researcher with expertise in:
- Rodent models
- Microsurgery
- Behavioral assessments of sensorimotor function
- Electrophysiology (cortical maps, MEPs, EMG, and/or neural recordings)
Programming and data analysis (MATLAB, Python, or similar).
This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of neuroscience, neuroengineering, and rehabilitation within a highly collaborative and translational research environment at Université de Montréal, Qc, Canada.
Laboratory website: https://marina-martinez.com/
Deciphering the role of RNP composition and topology in regulating mRNA and lncRNA nuclear retention and export
Supervisor: Daniel Zenklusen
RNA pol II transcribed RNAs fulfill many cellular functions; mRNAs are protein coding and require export to the cytoplasm, whereas lncRNAs are largely nuclear and implicated in different gene regulatory processes. The mechanisms that ensure that lncRNAs are mostly nuclear retained but mRNAs efficiently exported are still poorly understood. Moreover, recent studies suggest that specific mRNAs are exported with vastly variable efficiencies suggesting mRNA export to be highly regulated. This project aims to apply single-molecule and super-resolution microscopy methods, genomic, gene-editing and proteomic approaches to decipher the mechanisms that modulate regulated export and retention of mRNAs and lncRNAs, including investigating the role of RNP topology in modulating subnuclear diffusion and export competence at the nuclear pore complex.
The Zenklusen laboratory investigates the spatio-temporal regulation of RNA metabolism, combining single-molecule and super-resolution microscopy approaches with genetics and biochemistry, aiming to establish the basis for a better understanding and treatment of complex diseases.
