Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Pluripotent Stem Cell, Lung Differentiation, and Genomics

Job Category
Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Pluripotent Stem Cell, Lung Differentiation, and Genomics

Department
Shakiba Laboratory | School of Biomedical Engineering | Faculty of Medicine (Nika Shakiba)

Posting End Date
March 6, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date
Feb 15, 2025

The expected pay range for this position is $55,000 to $70,000 per year.

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. 

Position Summary
The School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, BC, Canada invites applications for Postdoctoral Research Fellow positions to work on a team-based project spanning pluripotent stem cells, lung differentiation, and genomics in the de Boer (https://deboer.bme.ubc.ca/ ) and Shakiba (https://shakiba.bme.ubc.ca/ ) labs.

The project is in collaboration with United Therapeutics , an industry partner interested in understanding how lung cells can be made from patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This specific project aims to decipher the cell circuits underlying iPSC differentiation to lung cells. This project  will use single-cell RNA-seq in combination with genetic perturbations (e.g. perturb-seq) to reveal the gene regulatory networks that underlie lung cell differentiation. This is an exciting and unique opportunity for a motivated researcher to be able to work closely with a technician under their supervision to generate state-of-the-art single cell genomics data, and apply cutting edge and novel approaches to analyze these data.

The Faculties of Medicine and Applied Science have partnered to create the SBME, a new flagship entity at UBC, and a top strategic priority for the University and both Faculties. The SBME is 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. UBC SBME distinguishes itself by deep training in biology, and engineering science and design, enabling SBME researchers to address the most pressing biomedical challenges of the day. Our SBME faculty conduct research that advances our fundamental understanding of human biology, and yields technologies and therapies that advance our health and wellbeing.

Organizational Status

Individuals will report to Drs. Nika Shakiba and Dr. Carl de Boer as part of a collaborative project that includes multiple labs from SBME and globally.

Responsibilities

Successful candidates will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with the members of the laboratories involved in this project, integrating cutting-edge stem cell, bioinformatics and synthetic biology techniques.

The responsibilities of this position may include:

• Single-cell RNA-seq, perturb-seq, and/or other transcriptomic analysis
• Next generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis
• Machine learning/AI
• Analyzing data and presenting the data in reports, publications, and presentations at local and international conferences
• Training and mentoring lab personnel, including supervising a wet lab technician
• Human pluripotent stem cell culture including maintenance, expansion, and characterization
• Derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells through reprogramming of PBMCs
• Lung cell differentiation and culture
• Genetic engineering of mammalian cells
• Helping to enhance our collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment.
• Contributing to cutting-edge knowledge in the scientific community
• Designing and performing experiments, analyzing results, and presenting findings
• Preparing and assisting with grant applications, publications and with fulfilling regulatory requirements (animal ethics, biosafety etc.)
   

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a PhD or MD
• Candidates should have a strong research background, as demonstrated by past publications, accomplishments, and references
• Candidates with strong background in either computational or experimental biology (or both) will be considered
• The successful candidate will be a passionate, self-driven, independent thinker with excellent organizational, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills, and a strong work ethic
• Preference will be given to candidates who have skills in any of the following areas: single-cell RNA-seq, transcriptomics, bioinformatics, machine learning, stem cell culture, lentiviral delivery, lung cell differentiation and culture, and iPSC derivation

Supervision received

The incumbent will receive supervision directly from Drs. Shakiba and de Boer, but will have the opportunity to work closely with all laboratories involved in this project.

Supervision given

The ideal incumbent will have the opportunity to be the primary supervisor of a technician who will be performing the experimental procedures related to this project. They may also be required to supervise other trainees involved in the research program.

Start date and stipend

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

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 Careers .

For any inquiries regarding this position, please contact Dr. Nika Shakiba ([email protected] ) and Dr. Carl de Boer ([email protected] ).