Research Associate

Working for the University of Alberta 

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Department summary

The University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology is a multidisciplinary clinical facility dedicated solely to gastroenterology patient care and research. Located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the Faculty has been internationally recognized as among the world’s top 50 medical schools and as one of Canada’s premier health-education institutions. The University is currently home to 39,000 students and 15,000 faculty and staff.

The Edmonton Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) clinical and research program at the University of Alberta is seeking a Research Associate to join a dynamic team, consisting of physicians, research nurses, laboratory technicians and administrative support staff. The team conducts multiple clinical and translational research projects, and is engaged with international and national collaborators and networks. Our research activities are supported by tri-agency funding agencies, industry clinical trials and international collaboration grants. The Edmonton FMT program is one of the few labs in Canada that manufacture FMT product for the treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. The Edmonton FTM program is led by Dr. Dina Kao and Dr. Karen Wong.

Position summary

This position involves working closely with clinician researchers and our laboratory technicians on the design of experiments, data analysis and interpretation, grant applications and publications specific to the gut microbiota, GI infections, pathobionts and antimicrobial resistance testing. The ideal candidate will have a passion for human biotherapies including FMT, the host-microbe interactions with C. difficile infection and experience in probiotics, parabiotics and postbiotics research in GI diseases, especially application of next-generation probiotic strains and their by-products as novel therapeutics.

Duties

• Leads projects in collaboration with other local/national/international co-investigators
• Designs and conducts complex scientific research specifically as it relates to microbiome under the direction of the Principal Investigator
• Collects, analyzes and interprets data
• Sets research activity objectives in consultation with the Principal Investigator
• In consultation with the Principal Investigator, develops and documents research methods and protocols
• Presents research results at laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, scientific conferences, and related settings
• Participates in the scientific oversight of projects

Minimum Qualification

• PhD in clinical and microbiome related research
• 5-10 years experience in clinical and microbiome related research
• Proven accomplishments in health science and microbiome related research
• Strong record of publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Significant experience with SPSS, SAS or equivalent statistical analysis software
• Excellent communication (oral and written), interpersonal, organizational and time management skills
• Working knowledge and experience of C. difficile infection, recurrent C. difficile infection and fecal microbiota transplantation
• Thorough knowledge of the use and preparation of culture media, chemicals, reagents, and the ability to perform a variety of laboratory procedures

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with C. difficile growth, isolation, ribotyping and its phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance testing
• Experience and working knowledge in inflammatory bowel disease and its host-microbe interactions with C. difficile infection, other pathobionts, and gut microbiota
• Background and experience in probiotics, parabiotics and postbiotics research in GI diseases, especially application of next-generation probiotic strains and their by-products as novel therapeutics
• Experience with biosafety measures, general molecular biology techniques (primer design, cloning, DNA analysis, PCR, qRT-PCR, gene expression, etc), immunoassays (ELISA, Western blot, flow cytometry), cell culture, and microscopy techniques

In accordance with the Trust/Research Academic Staff Agreement , this position has an approximate appointment of one year with the possibility of extension dependent on funding and performance. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package found at Faculty & Staff Benefits and annual salary range of $58,210 - $65,940.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.