Research Associate in Mammalian Synthetic Biology and Organoid Engineering

Position Summary

The School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, BC, Canada invites applications for a research associate position to work on a team-based project spanning Mammalian Synthetic Biology and Organoid Engineering in the Shakiba Lab (https://shakiba.bme.ubc.ca/ ). The incumbent in this position will report to Dr. Nika Shakiba and will work collaboratively with teams in the Yachie Lab as well as teams in the Penninger Lab.

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 trainees will distinguish themselves by deep training in biology, deconstructed using engineering science and design, and applied to the solution of real-world biomedical challenges. Our SBME faculty conduct research that advances our fundamental understanding of human biology, and yields technologies and therapies that advance our health and wellbeing.

Dr. Nika Shakiba and Dr. Nozomu Yachie in the UBC School of Biomedical Engineering and Dr. Josef Penninger in the UBC Department of Medical Genetics recently received competitive, international funding for an exciting team project to produce designer organoids by controlling the composition of the starting human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) pool. By combining DNA-based tools and computational modeling approaches, this project seeks to reproducibly engineer hPSC-derived vascular organoids. Members of this inter-lab team will collaborate through regular meetings and training opportunities.

Synergies between the Shakiba, Penninger, and Yachie Labs: The human blood vessel organoid technology created by the Penninger Lab remains to be the most complex, physiologically relevant in vitro model of human microvasculature. Now, there is an exciting opportunity to apply synthetic biology tools to create designer vascular organoids. The Shakiba Lab specializes in the use of DNA barcoding and computational modeling to uncover genetic lineage biases within multicellular stem cell systems. The Yachie Lab recently developed a cutting-edge CRISPR-based “gene cytometry cell sorting” technology to control the composition of hPSCs populations. Combining these approaches, the team will: (1) isolate hPSCs with biased potential (Yachie Lab); and (2) create custom cocktails of biased hPSCs to create custom vascular organoids (Shakiba Lab).

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 candidates will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with the members of the three laboratories involved in this project, integrating cutting-edge synthetic biology techniques into the exciting organoid arena to push boundaries in both fields.

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

• hPSC culture including maintenance, expansion, and characterization;
• Organoid derivation and culture (training for vascular organoids will be provided);
• Genetic engineering of hPSCs;
• Next generations sequencing and bioinformatics;
• Designing and performing experiments, analyzing results, and presenting findings;
• Assisting with the designing and implementation of new research projects;
• Preparing grants and assist with grant applications, publications and with fulfilling regulatory requirements (animal ethics, biosafety etc.);
• Managing and running projects.
• Overseeing and leading trainees within projects
• Analyzing data and presenting the data in reports, publications, and presentations.
• Presenting research at international conferences;
• Helping to train and mentor lab personnel;
• Working as an interdisciplinary node for collaboration between the three labs;
• 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 either computational or experimental biology (or both) will be considered.
• Candidates must hold a PhD or MD.
• 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.
• Preference will be given to experimental candidates who have skills in the following topics: organoid culture, high-throughput sequencing, genome editing, high-throughput assays, transcriptomics, library cloning, stem cell culture, lentivirus, and transfection.
• Preference will be given to computational candidates who have skills in the following   topics: computational modeling of biological systems (ODE, stochastic, etc), high-throughput sequencing data analysis, algorithm development, distributed computing, software development, statistics, Unix/Linux, Python, R, machine learning, deep learning, and cloud computing.

Supervision received

The incumbent will receive supervision directly from Dr. Nika Shakiba. In addition, this individual will have the opportunity to work closely with all three laboratories involved in this project, allowing regular interaction with Dr. Josef Penninger, Dr. Nozomu Yachie and their teams.

Supervision given

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

Start date and stipend

The start date is March 01 2022 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.

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 from this https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/ubcfacultyjobs/job/UBC-Vancouver-Campus/Research-Associate-in-Mammalian-Synthetic-Biology-and-Organoid-Engineering_JR5984  (JR # JR5984 ). For any inquiries regarding this position, please contact Dr. Nika Shakiba ([email protected] ).

Review of applications will start on February 21 2022 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-55703 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 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.