Opportunities

A research-based PhD opportunity is available at Université Laval in Quebec City, Canada, for a candidate interested in low back pain, osteoarthritis, pain mechanisms, and rehabilitation research.

The project aims to improve our understanding of the mechanisms explaining the presence or absence of pain in individuals with lumbar spine osteoarthritis. The research will involve the collection of comprehensive measures assessing brain and spinal function, pain sensitivity, spinal mobility, inflammatory biomarkers, and other factors associated with the pain experience.

The successful candidate will join the Neurodos Research Laboratory at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris). The laboratory is directed by Professor Hugo Masse-Alarie, whose research focuses on trunk motor control, the effects of pain on motor control, and the management of chronic low back pain using non-invasive and non-pharmacological approaches.

Location: Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada Program: Research-based PhD Research areas: Low back pain, lumbar spine osteoarthritis, pain mechanisms, motor control, and rehabilitation

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Professor Hugo Masse-Alarie at hugo.masse-alarie@fmed.ulaval.ca for further information.

Please refer to the opportunity poster for additional details.

🔬 MHRC Seminar Series – Dr. Fabio Rossi

The Muscle Health Research Centre (MHRC) is pleased to welcome Dr. Fabio Rossi from the University of British Columbia for an upcoming seminar on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM (ET).

Dr. Rossi will present “Stromal Cells and Muscle Regeneration: From Basic Mechanisms to Therapeutic Targeting,” exploring the interactions between stromal and inflammatory cells and their roles in muscle regeneration.

The seminar will be held online via Zoom.

Event Details: Date: Friday, September 18, 2026 Time: 3:00–4:00 PM (ET) Location: Online via Zoom

Meeting ID: 922 2513 0162 Passcode: 228933

We encourage researchers, clinicians, trainees, and members of the community with an interest in muscle health and rehabilitation research to attend. We look forward to welcoming you to this seminar.

The Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) Human Movement Biomechanics Discussion Group is conducting a global survey to understand how researchers and healthcare professionals perceive and use biomechanics in osteoarthritis research and clinical care.

The findings will help identify priorities for future research, training, and resource development, while informing strategies to translate biomechanical knowledge more effectively into osteoarthritis research and care.

The survey explores:

• What researchers and clinicians consider to be biomechanics
• How biomechanical approaches are currently used or not used
• Perceptions of the role and need for biomechanics
• Factors that influence the use or non-use of biomechanics

Who can participate?

Researchers conducting osteoarthritis research and healthcare professionals involved in osteoarthritis care are invited to participate.

You do not need to be a biomechanist or currently use biomechanics to participate. Perspectives from those who currently use biomechanics and those who do not are equally important to understanding experiences across different professions and settings.

🌍 Survey: Global ⏱️ Time commitment: Approximately 10–20 minutes

Learn more: Poster Questions? Contact: Jade at jadehe@stanford.edu and Karl at kdm40@bath.ac.uk

Take the survey: Survey Link

Please consider participating and sharing the survey with relevant colleagues and professional networks.

Researchers at the University of British Columbia, in collaboration with La Trobe University and the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis (PTOA) Discussion Group, are conducting an international study to identify research priorities for post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA).

The study aims to identify the most important unanswered research questions related to PTOA, osteoarthritis that develops after a joint injury. The findings will help guide future research and care to better reflect the needs and perspectives of people affected by or involved in PTOA.

The research team is seeking perspectives from:

• People who have experienced a joint injury and may be at risk of PTOA or are living with PTOA
• Caregivers
• Healthcare providers
• Researchers
• Policy-makers
• Representatives of funding agencies, charities, organizations, and universities

Participation involves two online surveys (approximately one hour in total), completed 2–3 months apart.

Interested in Participating?

Learn more and check your eligibility: Poster

If you are interested in participating, please access the survey here: Survey Link

For questions about the study, please contact Jenna Schulz at jenna.schulz@ubc.ca.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Jackie Whittaker, Associate Professor, Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia.

The Muscle Health Research Centre (MHRC) at York University will host the 17th Annual Muscle Health Awareness Day (MHAD17) on Friday, May 1, 2026.

📅 May 1, 2026

📍 York University

This in-person event will bring together researchers, clinicians, trainees, and community partners to share the latest research and advances in muscle health and neuromuscular disease.

The program will feature invited presentations from leading researchers including Dr. Jenna Gibbs (McGill University), Dr. Arthur Cheng (York University), Dr. Val Fajardo (Brock University), Dr. Stephen Brown (University of Guelph), Dr. Penny Gilbert (University of Toronto), and Dr. Robin Duncan (University of Waterloo). 

The event will also include:

• Poster presentation sessions
• A lived experience presentation from a community partner in collaboration with MitoCanada
• Networking opportunities including a student–faculty roundtable discussion
• Awards recognizing outstanding poster presentations

Researchers and trainees are encouraged to submit abstracts for poster presentations. Abstracts submitted by April 15, 2026 (midnight) will be eligible for six poster prizes and inclusion in the official MHAD17 program.

📌 Registration deadline: April 15, 2026

💲 Registration fee: $30 (to support catering for breakfast and lunch)

To view the full program and agenda, please review the file: