Open Positions
The Human Pain Genetics lab is part of the Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain at McGill University, which includes researchers from the Faculties of Medicine, Dentistry and Science. Our integration into the world-renowned pain centre not only facilitates an excellent environment for collaborations but also creates unique learning opportunities and offers exposure to a variety of approaches in pain research.
We encourage applicants with backgrounds from a variety of fields including: epidemiology, bioinformatics, statistics, statistical genetics, medicine, and nursing.
August 2026: New Research Opportunity: Undergraduate Student Research Assistant – Mouse Pain Behavior Studies
The Human Pain Genetics Lab at McGill University is seeking motivated McGill undergraduate students to join our team and contribute to ongoing research involving mouse pain behavior studies.
Our research explores the immune mechanisms underlying chronic pain, with current research themes including fibromyalgia, Long COVID, and osteoarthritis. Students will gain hands-on experience in preclinical pain research and participate in behavioral experiments using mouse models. Responsibilities may include handling mice, assisting with pain-related behavioral assays, collecting and organizing experimental data, maintaining accurate research records, and supporting ongoing laboratory activities.
Qualifications:
- Must be a current McGill undergraduate student.
- Interest in neuroscience, pain research, genetics, physiology, or biomedical sciences.
- Comfortable working with laboratory mice.
- Previous experience with animal research or behavioral testing is an asset, but not required — training will be provided.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow experimental protocols.
- Reliable, organized, and able to commit consistently to the research project.
- Able to commit at least 10 hours per week to laboratory and research activities.
- Good communication and teamwork skills.
We welcome students looking for a volunteer research opportunity, as well as students who would like to join the lab as part of a McGill undergraduate research course or research project.
This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in gaining hands-on experience in preclinical pain research, mouse behavior, and experimental research.
The position will initially be volunteer-based, with the potential for future recruitment into a paid research position based on performance, commitment, project needs, and funding availability.
Interested students should send their CV and a brief introduction describing their interest in the position to lucas.vasconceloslima@mcgill.
The great city of Montreal has been home to Dr. Diatchenko’s Human Pain Genetics lab since 2013. Montreal is a vibrant place that contrasts the cosmopolitan feeling of a big North American city with the local charm of the Québécois culture. We enjoy exploring the city during all seasons, and members of the lab often get together to enjoy urban markets, cultural events, and outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and climbing. Montreal is one of the top host cities for international cultural and musical events in North America, with festivals and other activities happening all year round, such as the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Montreal Grand Prix and the International Festival of Circus Arts. The city also ranks highest in Canada for the the number of restaurants per capita, and we plan to try them all!
