Graduate Research Positions Available – Neurophysiology / Neurometabolism

We are seeking highly motivated graduate students with experience in neuroscience or physiology to join the Canada Research Chair in Metabolism and Sleep Neurobiology led by Dr Natalie J. Michael at Université Laval. The successful candidate/s will be involved in studying the central histaminergic system (in the hypothalamus) using a variety of techniques including brain slice electrophysiology, transgenic mouse models, ex vivo pharmacology, in situ hybridization, and/or in vivo physiology. Masters and/or PhD position available.

The Canada Research Chair in Metabolism and Sleep Neurobiology aims to understand in how the brain regulates energy balance (food consumed vs energy expended). Our work is relevant for understanding how the brain contributes to the development and maintenance of obesity. We are also interested in how the encoding of metabolic information influences other physiological processes such as sleep and arousal. The currently available project/s focus on understanding how the histaminergic system contributes to energy balance regulation.

Education and expertise: The candidate should hold a Bachelor’s degree (and Masters degree for all PhD applicants) in a relevant discipline (e.g. neuroscience, biomedical science, physiology, or equivalent). They should have a willingness to work in a team and an ability to work and learn independently. A good knowledge of written and spoken English is a prerequisite, French language skills are desirable but not required.

Type of position: The candidate will be enrolled in the Masters or Ph.D. program in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Faculty of Pharmacy Université Laval in the Fall 2025 or Winter 2026 session. This is a fully funded position, but all candidates are encouraged to apply for external scholarship opportunities.

Location: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

Start date: Fall 2025 or Winter 2026 session.

The Research Center. The Quebec Heart and Lung Research Institute (IUCPQ) is the only center subsidized by the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS) which brings together research axes in cardiology, pulmonology and obesity. type 2 diabetes and metabolism, three areas considered to be priorities due to the considerable economic and societal impact of the diseases linked to them.

The importance of our research. The research axes of our center are at the heart of global priorities in the field of health and represent a major strategic force in slowing the progression of devastating chronic societal diseases. Indeed, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), chronic societal diseases (cardiovascular disease, respiratory ailments, diabetes and cancer) are responsible for 63% of deaths worldwide. Obesity, which has reached the proportions of a global epidemic, is one of the most important risk factors for these diseases.

An integrated research model. The perfect alignment of research axes with the Institute's clinical missions makes it a unique center, where synergy between health professionals and researchers is always present, for the benefit of patients. Such synergy promotes the transfer of knowledge from research to care in harmony with the vision of the FRQS and that of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Our research teams take advantage of this synergy in the integrated study of the metabolic determinants of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as well as in the development of innovative and competitive Quebec research in the prevention and treatment of these diseases. In addition, the research-care alignment undeniably favors the identification of research priorities focused on clinical issues inherent in the Institute's subspecialties.

Preferred Student's Academic Background: Neuroscience, Neurophysiology, Electrophysiology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Medicine, Molecular Biology, Physiology or similar. Research Topics and Areas: Metabolism, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Genetics. Skills required: A strong background in neuroscience or related fields is highly desirable. Experience in electrophysiology, molecular biology, pharmacology, or genetics would be ideal.