Prospective Postdoctoral Fellows
We are currently recruiting postdoctoral fellows with projects available in the areas of learning and memory, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
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How to apply: Interested candidates should email Dr. Catharine Rankin (crankin@psych.ubc.ca) with a brief introduction, CV, and a statement of research interests.
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Opportunities: Fellows will have the chance to lead independent projects, mentor trainees, and collaborate across disciplines within the UBC neuroscience community.
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Support: Competitive applicants are encouraged to apply for external funding (e.g., CPRA, or international fellowships). Guidance and support for these applications is provided by UBC.
Prospective Graduate Students
We are seeking graduate students with a some past experience in biology, either cell biology or molecular biology. Dr. Rankin accepts graduate students through several UBC programs:
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How to apply: Please email Dr. Rankin (crankin@psych.ubc.ca) with your CV, unofficial transcripts, and a short statement of your research interests and career goals.
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Research opportunities: Students may pursue projects on molecular mechanisms of learning and memory, or the neurobiology of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Parkinson’s disease, or Alzheimer’s disease, using C. elegans as a model system.
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Training environment: Graduate students in the Rankin Lab receive training in experimental design, advanced microscopy, molecular biology, behavioural neuroscience, and data analysis. Mentorship emphasizes independent thinking, communication skills, and professional development.
Support: Graduate students are expected to apply for external fellowships and scholarships (e.g., Canada Graduate Scholarship, UBC 4-Year Fellowship, UBC Affiliated Awards). UBC provides guidance and support in preparing competitive applications. The Rankin Lab believes securing funding is considered an important part of graduate training and professional development.
Expectations: Graduate students in the Rankin Lab are expected to:
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Train and support undergraduate mentees in the lab.
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Hold teaching assistant (TA) positions as part of stipend.
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Attend weekly and monthly meetings, talks, and seminars.
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Adhere to program requirements, milestones, and timelines (e.g., coursework, candidacy exams, progress reports).
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Contribute to a collaborative and inclusive lab culture, and take ownership of their research project.
Prospective Undergraduate Students
We are proud to offer meaningful undergraduate research opportunities, ranging from volunteer experiences to directed studies and thesis projects. We welcome motivated students from all backgrounds. While motivated students from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, having prior experience in psychology, molecular biology, or neuroscience can be especially beneficial for engaging with the lab’s research.
Students looking to complete a Directed Studies or Capstone Project: We have a strong preference for students who volunteer in the lab before beginning a Directed Studies or Capstone Project. Volunteering provides valuable time to learn essential techniques, become familiar with ongoing research, and prepare for a more meaningful and successful project experience. Students should contact the lab at least 3 months before their ideal project start date. New students are typically accepted in the spring term.
Undergraduate students may gain hands-on experience in:
- Behavioural neuroscience (learning and memory assays, high-throughput tracking, optogenetics, microscopy)
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Molecular biology (cloning, genotyping, PCR)
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Data analysis and science communication (coding, statistics, data interpretation, public speaking)
How to Apply: Interested students should email Dr. Rankin (crankin@psych.ubc.ca) with a short introduction, your CV and unofficial transcript, and a brief description of what you hope to learn.
Contributions: Undergraduate roles are shaped by student interests and the needs of the graduate student or postdoctoral supervisor they work with. To explore ongoing projects, please visit our Graduate Students page. Prospective volunteers are encouraged to connect with graduate students directly to learn more about opportunities on their team.
Expectations:
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Commit at least 10 hours per week during the academic year.
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Preference is given to students who plan to volunteer for more than one year.
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Be reliable, engaged, and proactive learners who contribute positively to the lab environment.
Mentorship & Growth: Student learning is a core priority. Mentorship is tailored to individual goals, and previous undergraduates have gone on to graduate studies, medical school, and research careers.