Fully Funded PhD and Postdoctoral Positions in Neural Motor Control and Neuroregeneration – University of Toronto, Canada 2026

About the position

The Levine Lab studies the neural basis of motor control, with a particular focus on the spinal cord. The team aims to understand how diverse populations of spinal neurons integrate sensory information and signals from the brain to produce coordinated movements. The Levine Lab will relocate to the prestigious Krembil Brain Institute – one of Canada’s leading neuroscience centers at the University Health Network (UHN), affiliated with the University of Toronto, beginning in Fall 2026. Applications are expected to open soon for highly motivated PhD students and postdoctoral fellows interested in neuroscience, motor control, spinal cord biology, and neuroregeneration. This is an exciting opportunity to join a rapidly growing research program investigating how spinal neural circuits generate and control movement and how this knowledge can be applied to improve recovery after neurological injury.

Research Focus

The laboratory’s long-term goal is to uncover mechanisms that can be leveraged to develop new therapies for patients affected by:

• Spinal cord injury
• Stroke
• Motor dysfunction
• Neurological disorders affecting movement

Recent research from the lab has advanced our understanding of spinal cord cell types, motor circuits, neural regeneration, and motor learning.

Current Research Areas

1. Spinal Cord Cell Type Mapping

The lab generated some of the first single-cell atlases of mouse and human spinal cord neurons, providing an unprecedented understanding of spinal cord cellular diversity.

2. Neural Circuits for Motor Control

Researchers investigate how specific spinal neuron populations contribute to movement, coordination, locomotion, and motor learning.

3. Neural Mechanisms of Spinal Cord Injury

The team studies how spinal neurons respond following injury and seeks to identify cellular targets that could promote neural repair and functional recovery.

4. Neuroregeneration and Translational Neuroscience

The lab aims to bridge basic neuroscience discoveries with future therapeutic approaches for neurological disorders and spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

Techniques and Technologies

Trainees joining the Levine Lab will have access to a wide range of cutting-edge neuroscience methodologies, including:

• Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
• Genetic mouse models
• Viral vector engineering
• Circuit tracing
• Optogenetics
• Closed-loop neural manipulation
• In vivo spinal electrophysiology in awake behaving mice
• High-density neural recordings
• Behavioral neuroscience assays
• Quantitative motion analysis
• Neuroregeneration models
• Advanced bioinformatics and omics approaches

These tools provide a unique opportunity to gain interdisciplinary training spanning molecular neuroscience, systems neuroscience, and translational research.

Why Join the Levine Lab?

World-Class Research Environment

The lab is moving to the Krembil Brain Institute, one of Canada’s leading neuroscience centers and part of the University Health Network (UHN), Canada’s largest research hospital network.

Collaborative and Innovative Culture

The Levine Lab combines expertise in genetics, neurobiology, behavior, electrophysiology, computational analysis, and translational neuroscience.

Strong Publication Record

Lab members contribute to research published in high-impact journals including:

• Science
• Nature Neuroscience
• Nature Biotechnology
• Neuron
• Cell Reports

Career Development

Students and postdoctoral fellows will receive mentorship, opportunities for scientific presentations, publication support, grant-writing experience, and collaboration with leading neuroscientists across Toronto’s research ecosystem.

Candidate Profile

The lab is likely seeking applicants with backgrounds in:

• Neuroscience
• Biology
• Biomedical Sciences
• Physiology
• Genetics
• Bioengineering
• Computational Biology
• Medicine or related fields

Experience in animal models, electrophysiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, imaging, or neural circuit analysis may be advantageous but is not required for all positions.

Location

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Host Institution:

• University Health Network (UHN)
• Krembil Brain Institute
• University of Toronto

Toronto is one of the world’s leading biomedical research hubs, offering extensive opportunities for collaboration, professional development, and scientific networking.

Funding

Funding details have not yet been officially announced. However, successful PhD students and postdoctoral fellows can generally expect competitive funding packages and access to institutional and external fellowship opportunities.

How to Apply

Prospective applicants are encouraged to explore the Levine Lab’s research and monitor upcoming recruitment announcements.

Interested candidates may prepare:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Cover Letter
• Academic Transcripts (for PhD applicants)
• Research Statement
• Contact Information for Referees

Early expressions of interest are encouraged.

Final Thoughts

For students and researchers passionate about neuroscience, motor control, spinal cord biology, and neuroregeneration, the Levine Lab’s move to the Krembil Brain Institute represents an exceptional opportunity to join a world-class research environment at a pivotal stage of growth and expansion.

Stay tuned for official application details and recruitment announcements.