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PhD Graduate Student

Your Role

Job TitlePhD Graduate Student
Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe PhD student will work in a team with members of the Thompson lab, learning cutting edge research techniques in diabetes and immunology and carrying out an independent research project expected to produce an original contribution to the body of knowledge in this field. They will be responsible for learning the methods, taking coursework, and presenting their research in oral and written formats including poster presentations and seminars. They will develop skills in training and mentoring more junior lab members including summer undergraduates. The student will apply for eligible scholarship awards and receive top-up funding if successful.
Skills and Benefits to be Gained from this PositionThe PhD student will learn a variety of technical skills, critical and analytical thinking, evaluating research in literature, and training in research ethics. The student will learn how to communicate their research in written and oral formats for scientific and lay audiences and will have the opportunity to travel and present research at major diabetes conferences including Diabetes Canada and the Canadian Islet Research and Training Network (CIRTN).
Involvement of Animals, Humans and/or HazardsAnimalsYes - mouse models.HumansNo - No live human subjects.HazardsYes - Biohazards working with lab mice and human cells/tissues.

How to Apply

DeadlineNovember 01, 2022
University LevelGraduate
Application MethodEmail
Required Application Materials
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • Transcript
  • A statement indicating the school, program and year that you are currently enrolled in.
References2(Contact info for 2 references should be provided in the Resume/CV)
Notification ProcessDr. Thompson will review all applications and contact short-listed applicants by email to contact references and arrange interview.

The Project

Project TitleUnderstanding the interplay between beta cell senescence and the immune system in Type 1 Diabetes
Project DescriptionType 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a life-long metabolic disease resulting from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells. While most efforts at treating or preventing T1D target the immune system, research in the Thompson Lab aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms operating in beta cells that drive this disease to identify novel therapies. The Thompson lab was recently established at the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM) and is part of the Diabetes Research Envisioned and Accomplished in Manitoba (DREAM) research theme. Learn more at Thompsonlab.ca One beta cell stress response we are interested in is called senescence, a form of programmed growth arrest and inflammatory signaling. We currently do not understand how senescent beta cells interact with the immune system to drive T1D onset. In this project, the student will use innovative multidisciplinary methods spanning cell biology, immunology and metabolic physiology to study how factors secreted from senescent beta cells modify the immune response using a mouse T1D model and human cell culture models.
Researcher/SupervisorDr. Peter Thompson
FacultyRady Faculty of Health Sciences
Department/SchoolPhysiology & Pathophysiology
Phone204-975-7706

Job Terms

Number of Jobs1
Job DatesMay 01, 2023 to [tbd]The PhD is expected to take 5-6 years.
Hours Per Week35
Salary$22,000/year, with opportunity for top-up funding
Other InformationThis is a PhD student position. Please see guidelines on applying to the UM Physiology grad program (https://umanitoba.ca/explore/physiology-pathophysiology-phd)

Important

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