Research Associate in Stem Cell Mammalian Synthetic Biology and Organoid Engineering

9 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

The University of British Columbia (UBC)

Research Field

Engineering » Biomedical engineering

Researcher Profile

Leading Researcher (R4)
Established Researcher (R3)

Country

Canada

Application Deadline

1 Apr 2024 - 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

1 Apr 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

EU-57884

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

The School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) is a partnership between the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Applied Science , acting as a nucleus for education and training, research, and innovation in biomedical engineering, creating new knowledge, new academic and training programs, and fostering translation and innovation. Its vision is to transform health care outcomes through unconstrained exploration of the best possible integrative solutions across engineering, medicine, and biology. Through collaborative, innovative, and interdisciplinary approach and building on UBC academic and research excellence, the School of Biomedical Engineering aspires to be a global leader in biomedical engineering research, education and translation. For more information about the School of Biomedical Engineering, please visit https://www.sbme.ubc.ca/ .

The Shakiba Lab at SBME (https://shakiba.bme.ubc.ca/ ) is an interdisciplinary team that seeks to understand and control pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) using a combined systems and synthetic biology approach. Research in the lab leverages stem cell models of early embryonic development as well as in vitro differentiation pipelines to understand the molecular and cellular rules that govern multicellular developmental systems and cell fate decision-making. The team applies computational and synthetic biology toolsets to reverse and forward engineer these rules to program cell fate for regenerative medicine.

Organizational Status

This position will play a leadership role in the Shakiba Laboratory, and will report directly to Dr. Nika Shakiba, who is the Principal Investigator of the laboratory.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will play a leadership role in the Shakiba Lab, providing oversight on scientific and training aspects of the lab while leading their own scientific projects.

The responsibilities of the position depend on the skills and research interests of the successful applicant. Specific tasks for this position may include:

•   Mouse and human PSC culture including maintenance, expansion, and characterization;

•   Differentiation of PSCs in directed differentiation, organoid cultures, and structures mimicking embryonic development;

•   Genetic engineering of PSCs;

•   Next generations sequencing and bioinformatics;

•   Designing and performing experiments, analyzing results, and presenting findings;

•   Assisting with the designing and implementation of new research projects;

•   Managing and running projects;

•   Overseeing and leading trainees within projects;

•   Analyzing data and presenting the data in reports, publications, and presentations;

•   Preparing grants and assist with grant applications and reporting, publication preparation, and with fulfilling regulatory requirements (animal ethics, biosafety etc.);

•   Helping to enhance our collaborative research environment;

•   Training and mentoring lab personnel;

•   Coordinating the maintenance of lab equipment; and

•   Contributing to cutting-edge knowledge in the scientific community.

Qualifications

•   Candidates with strong background in experimental biology (with an emphasis on developmental and stem cell biology) will be considered.

•   Candidates must hold a PhD or MD.

•   Preference will be given to candidates who have >2 years of experience in a postdoctoral and Research Assocaite role.

•  Candidates should have a strong research background, as demonstrated by past publications, accomplishments, and references.

•   The successful candidate will be a passionate, self-driven, independent thinker with excellent organizational, oral, and written communication, excellent interpersonal skills, and a strong work ethic.

Supervision received

The incumbent will receive supervision directly from Dr. Nika Shakiba.

Supervision given

The incumbent may be required to supervise trainees involved in the research program.

Start date and stipend

The start date is April 01 2024 but flexible; funding has already been received. The position is full-time for one year with the possibility of extension subject to work performance and funding availability. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The expected salary range for this position is $80,000 to $95,000 per year.

How to Apply

Candidates should provide a CV, names and contact information of 3 references, and a cover letter describing past achievements and future research interests. Please submit your applications directly via Workday.

Review of applications will start on March 6th 2024 and will continue until the position is filled.

This posting is for the UBC Vancouver campus in British Columbia, Canada.

Please refer to reference number EU-57884 during correspondence about this position.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

About UBC
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC's entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.

About UBC's Faculty of Medicine
Our Vision: To Transform Health for Everyone.

Ranked among the world's top medical schools with the fifth-largest MD enrollment in North America, the UBC Faculty of Medicine is a leader in both the science and the practice of medicine. Across British Columbia, more than 11,000 faculty and staff are training the next generation of doctors, health care professionals and scientists, making remarkable discoveries, and helping to create the pathways to better health for our communities at home and around the world.

The Faculty of Medicine - comprised of approximately 2,200 administrative support, technical/research and management and professional staff, as well approximately 650 full-time academic and more than 9,000 clinical faculty members - is composed of 19 academic basic science and/or clinical departments, three schools, and 24 research centres and institutes. Together with its University and Health Authority partners, the Faculty delivers innovative programs and conducts research in the areas of health and life sciences. Faculty, staff and trainees are located at university campuses, clinical academic campuses in hospital settings and other regionally based centres across the province.

About Vancouver
Vancouver is a dynamic, cosmopolitan and progressive city, consistently ranked as one of the top cities to live in the world. Canada's third largest city has it all: sea, parks, mountains, beaches, and four seasons per year, including beautiful summers and mild, wet winters with snow in the mountains. It's the perfect backdrop to your academic research.

Requirements

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ubcfacultyjobs/details/Research-Associ…

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

The University of British Columbia (UBC)

Country

Canada

State/Province

British Columbia

City

Vancouver

Postal Code

V6T 1Z4

Street

2329 West Mall

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ubcfacultyjobs/details/Research-Associ…

Contact

State/Province

British Columbia

City

Vancouver

Street

2329 West Mall

Postal Code

V6T 1Z4

STATUS: EXPIRED