Post Doctoral Scholar in Neurophysiology of Human Cognition

Description

Area: Neurophysiology of Cognition

Duration: 2 years

Start Date: June 1st, 2026 (negotiable)

Salary: $50,000 CAD per year, plus Plan C health benefits

The Department of Clinical Neuroscience in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in Neurophysiology of Human Cognition.

We are seeking a highly motivated post‑doctoral scholar with a background in cognitive neuroscience and an interest in studying human cognition using intracranial recordings. The scholar will work closely with Dr. Fady Girgis, MD in the division of neurosurgery and Dr. Julia Kam, PhD in the department of psychology. This is a collaborative environment within the Hotchkiss Brain Institute.

The scholar will work in an interdisciplinary environment with a team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, and cognitive neuroscientists on several funded projects that aim to discover the neurophysiological basis of various cognitive constructs, using intracranial EEG, single‑unit recordings, machine learning and potentially stimulation approaches. Their primary role will involve executing the funded projects (i.e. acquisition of intracranial EEG and single‑unit recordings from surgical patients, analysis of intracranial neurophysiology data, development of analytic tools, scientific dissemination).

With access to state‑of‑the‑art neuroimaging facilities and academic resources at the Cumming School of Medicine, the Psychology department, and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, the fellow will also have the opportunity to pursue collaborative and self‑directed projects beyond the funded research. They will also be strongly encouraged to apply for national/international awards.

The lab’s mission is to deepen our knowledge of the neural underpinnings of various cognitive constructs including theory of mind, non‑literal language, and mind wandering, using a multi‑modal approach that combines behavioral and eye‑tracking methods with intracranial EEG and single‑unit neural recordings. The fellow can expect to work in a diverse and inclusive environment, which aims to provide trainees with relevant opportunities and support them to achieve their career goals.

• A PhD in Cognitive Psychology, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering or related disciplines (or an MD with research experience in these fields)
• Background in human neuroscience or cognitive psychology
• Interest in cognition and electrophysiology
• Experience with analyzing neural time‑series data (with strong preference for EEG/MEG/iEEG/single‑unit recordings)
• Strong scientific computer programming (Matlab/Python) and statistical analysis (SPSS/R) skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, and strong interpersonal skills to interact with a diverse subject population (patients and healthy controls) and interdisciplinary team members

Please review the Postdoc Eligibility Guidelines for more information prior to applying for this position.

Please submit your application including the following documents in a single PDF to Dr. Fady Girgis at

• a cover letter describing the relevance of applicant’s research experience and publication record to the position
• current curriculum vitae
• 1-2 first author publications (if available)
• contact information (i.e. email) for 2 to 3 references (who may be asked for a reference letter if necessary)

Applicants are encouraged to apply to this position immediately. Application packages will be accepted until 11:59 pm MST March 15, 2026.

The terms and conditions of employment are covered under the UCalgary and PDAC Collective Agreement. To find out more about postdoctoral scholar program at the University of Calgary visit our Postdocs website.

To learn more about postdoctoral scholar opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Postdoc Careers website.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here.

In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding diversity, EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (email protected) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture (email protected).