Postdoctoral Fellow in Driving Research and Simulation Lab
See the job posting linked below for full information about this posting
By Tyson BrownDepartment: School of Public Health; University of Saskatchewan
Status: The position is for one year.
Requisition:
Open Date: September 11, 2024
Closing Date: Applications will be accepted until the position are filled (ideal start date is
October 1, 2024).
Description: There is 1 opening for this position. Located in Saskatoon. Must work on campus.
Salary: $50,000 plus benefits
Project Description:
There is increasing evidence showing an increase in motor vehicle crashes related to young drivers who consume cannabis. While studies show that smoking or vaping cannabis is associated with impaired driving performance, there have been no studies examining the influence of edibles on driving performance. Although smoking or vaping can have near immediate effects, the effects take longer to present after consuming edibles (~1-2 hours) which can last up to 10 hours. Additionally, prior studies have often not defined the type of cannabis tested in research studies and there is a strong likelihood that different cannabis strains produce different impairments related to driving performance. Using a driving simulator, the objectives of the present study are 1) to discern the effects of cannabis types (sativa (mind-boosting, energizing) and indica (relaxing)) on driving performance; 2) to determine at what time driving is most impaired; 3) to examine how long driving ability is impaired after edible consumption; and 4) to examine the association between driver perceptions, their ability to think clearly, and driving performance.
Expectations:
We are seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow to work in the Driving Research and Simulation Laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan. Candidates must hold a PhD in an appropriate discipline (e.g. Transportation, Psychology, Engineering) at the time of appointment and have experience working in a research environment and in particular, with driving simulators. The anticipated start date is October 1, 2024.
The successful candidate will work with the research team to recruit participants, perform clinical assessments (cognitive, vision and motor tests), and assess driver’s performance on a driving simulator. Additionally, the candidate is expected to be involved in grant submissions, mentoring of graduate students, developing/submitting manuscripts, conference presentations, as well as knowledge translation activities.