Position Description
Area: Racehorse Locomotor Biomechanics
Duration: 15 months
Start Date: November 2022
Salary: $55,000 per year
The in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in Racehorse Locomotor Biomechanics.
Job Description:
The postdoctoral associate will examine the “Effect of surface and predominant direction of training and racing on movement symmetry and hoof shape in racing Thoroughbreds”. The project is funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Equine Welfare Research Foundation and represents a collaborative effort among Dr. Thilo Pfau (University of Calgary), Dr. Rebecca Parkers (City University Hong Kong) and Bronte Forbes (Hong Kong Jockey Club). Dr. Pfau (Principal Investigator) holds a joint appointment in the Faculty of Kinesiology and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary and his research program concentrates on applied research in locomotor biomechanics in quadrupeds with a particular focus on the horse.
The goal of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Equine Welfare Research Foundation’s research project is to investigate associations between movement asymmetries and hoof shape in horses predominantly running in one direction. Data collection will employ inertial sensor- and camera-based approaches for documenting hoof shape and upper body movement parameters. The aim is the identification of changes in horses exposed to exercise predominantly in one direction (clockwise or anti-clockwise) and provide a quantitative evaluation of the relevance of any changes in the context of performance and injury in high performance athletes (Thoroughbred racehorses).
The successful applicant will lead data analysis efforts and provide remote support to the research assistant, employed at City University Hong Kong, with data collection tasks at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Specifically, the postdoctoral associate will establish suitable data collection and documentation protocols for subsequent data analysis carried out by the applicant.
The successful applicant will have the opportunity to develop their own line of questioning around the project and/or to participate in collaborations among the broader research community within the Human Performance Lab and/or the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Calgary and will be encouraged and supported to apply for their own fellowship funding.
Qualifications:
- Applicant must hold a PhD* in kinesiology, veterinary medicine, biomedical engineering or a related discipline by the time of the position start date
- Experience with quantitative data collection and analysis is a must
- Experience with inertial sensor and/or camera-based capture of locomotor data preferred
- Knowledge of fundamental principles of quadrupedal locomotion is desirable but not necessary
- Demonstrated capability to work effectively in a collaborative environment including ‘remote’ collaborations across different time zones
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
Please review the Postdoc Eligibility Guidelines for more information prior to applying for this position.
Application Details:
Please submit your application as a single PDF file with the subject line: Postdoctoral application – [Your name] to Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thilo Pfau, at thilo.pfau@ucalgary.ca
All applications must include:
- Cover Letter that explains how the applicant’s program of research and publication record is appropriate for the position
- current curriculum vitae (CV)
- official or unofficial copy of diploma(s) / university certificate(s); and
- contact information including email addresses for two (2) references to support the application.
- Applicants are encouraged to apply to this position immediately. Application packages will be accepted until 11:59 pm MDT September 1, 2022.
Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted further. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada, although others are encouraged to apply.
Postdocs who are not Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada are advised to visit Information for International Postdoctoral Scholars