Research Associate In Tuberculosis Drug Discovery

11 May 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

The University of British Columbia (UBC)

Research Field

Medical sciences » Medicine

Researcher Profile

Leading Researcher (R4)
Established Researcher (R3)

Country

Canada

Application Deadline

10 Jun 2024 - 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Part-time

Hours Per Week

20

Offer Starting Date

11 Jun 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

EU-58012

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

No

Offer Description

A research associate position is available in Professor Yossef Av-Gay’s laboratory at UBC Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases.

Research Description:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the etiological agent of tuberculosis (TB), is one of the most devastating infectious agents in the world. One third of the world’s population is exposed to Mtb, which kills nearly two million people annually. With the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant TB, there is a pressing need for better and new drugs against Mtb.

Macrophages are key components of the human innate immune system with a defined role of seeking and destroying invading microorganisms. Mtb, however, can neutralize the macrophage’s killing machinery. While isolated inside the phagosomes, Mtb avoids key components of the host immune system. As such, TB disease progression relies on the intimate interaction between the host macrophage and the invading microbe whereby recognition, control and elimination of Mtb are mediated by host signal transduction proteins.

The successful candidate will focus his research on the intracellular life style of Mtb as a target for chemotherapeutic intervention. She / he will continue and advance our screening capabilities, which are unique in Canada. The research will identify key host directed chemicals and novel Natural Products derived compounds active against either defined intracellular host targets, or the whole process by which Mtb establishes successful infection of the human macrophage.

The work is funded by a Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) grant and various industrial partners. For a description of the laboratory activities please refer to http://av-gaylab.med.ubc.ca

Qualifications

• The Candidate should have:
• 5 years prior experience in microbiological techniques, cell-based assays and medicinal chemistry or drug discovery
• A Ph.D. in Microbiology or Biochemistry (or related disciplines)
• Related work experience and peer-reviewed publications
• Strong oral and proven written communication skills
• Excellent organization skills and be able to work effectively within a team environment
• Responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:
• Performing literature and systematic reviews related to TB drug development
• Staying updated on literature advancing the emerging science of causes and related strategies, to treat infectious diseases.
• Performing High Throughput and High Content Screening Experiments.
• Performing Biochemical and genetic validation studies
• Coordinating external experiments
• Developing reports and manuscripts for publication
• Preparing and delivering presentations for research meetings
• Coordinating and preparing grant applications
• Providing other support as required to Av-Gay’s lab team

Supervision

The candidate will work independently with minimal supervision. They will be mentored by and report to Dr. Yossef Av-Gay. The Candidate will supervise undergraduates, graduates and visiting scientist. 

Interested applicants should send their CV, references (full contact info for 2 previous employers), and a brief research statement detailing your relevant skills and expertise, including past work experiences and future goals, to [email protected] . Expected starting date is June 2024.

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

Please refer to reference number EU-58012 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/ubcfacultyjobs/job/UBC-Vancouver-Campus/Rese…

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/ubcfacultyjobs/job/UBC-Vancouver-Campus/Rese…

Contact

State/Province

British Columbia

City

Vancouver

Street

2329 West Mall

Postal Code

V6T 1Z4

STATUS: EXPIRED