Current Positions

Posting End Date

May 23, 2025

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

Job End Date

Apr 30, 2026

The expected pay for this position is $60,000 per year

Postdoctoral Fellow in Immunology, Molecular Biology, and Vaccine Research

The Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) position in immunology and vaccine research under the supervision of Dr Wilfred Jefferies. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team developing vaccines targeting infectious diseases and cancer.

Project:

The position focuses on advancing vaccine candidates through preclinical development. The project is part of a collaborative research initiative funded through the MITACS program and offers the fellow the chance to work closely with academic and industry experts from UBC and Eyam Health Inc.

Opportunity:

This is a unique opportunity to join a highly innovative and interdisciplinary research environment across UBC and affiliated hospitals, with exposure to both academic and biotech sectors. Vancouver offers a vibrant research community and a high quality of life.

Candidate:

We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow with strong experience in molecular biology and bioinformatics, with a focus on infectious disease and cancer models. Candidates must have a PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or Vaccine Research. The ideal candidate will have expertise in bacterial and viral infection models, including brain infections, as well as cancer models used in preclinical immunotherapy or vaccine studies. Candidates should be able to independently develop and apply molecular, cellular, and immunological assays to assess immune responses. This includes work in both in vitro systems and in vivo models using rodents or pigs. Experience with neuroinfections, CNS-targeting pathogens, and tumor models is highly desirable.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Advanced molecular biology and cell biology techniques
• Bioinformatic analysis of immunological, genomic, and proteomic data
• Experience with flow cytometry, ELISA, immune cell activation assays, and immunoassays
• Protein expression, purification, and characterization
• Familiarity with mass spectrometry data analysis and immune database tools
• Previous work with antibodies, tetramers, and diagnostic assay development
• In vivo experience with rodents (mice, rats, hamsters) or pigs in infection, cancer, or vaccination studies
• Experience with bacterial and viral pathogens, models of brain infection, and cancer models

The expected pay for this position is $60,000 per year. Salary will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and any awards secured.

Application Process:

Interested applicants should submit a CV and cover letter that details their experience and contact details for 3 references to the UBC Careers portal at the link below, no later than the posting date.

https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/ubcfacultyjobs/job/UBC-Vancouver-Campus/Postdoctoral-Fellow-in-Immunology–Molecular-Biology–and-Vaccine-Research_JR20681

The appointment start date is flexible, with a target date of May 2025. The initial appointment is for 4 months, with expected extension up to two years, subject to performance and funding.

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.

Posting End Date

May 8, 2025

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

Job End Date

September 30, 2026

Research Associate in Fungal Glycobiology

The Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, invites applications for a Research Associate position in Fungal Glycobiology to join a dynamic and multidisciplinary team under the supervision of Dr. James Kronstad. The successful candidate will work on a project to identify and characterize lectin antibodies (lectibodies) that bind to polysaccharides on the surface of fungal cells. The Kronstad Lab at UBC (kronstadlab.msl.ubc.ca ) studies the pathogenesis of fungi that attack plant or animal hosts using interdisciplinary approaches including microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, transcriptomics and bioinformatics.

Project: Fungal pathogens display polysaccharides on their cell surfaces which mediate interactions with the host immune system. The contributions of these polysaccharides to pathogenesis are underexplored, and these molecules can be targets for therapeutic intervention. Lectibodies represent novel reagents to characterize fungal polysaccharides and we are investigating their use in modulating the immune response to fungal pathogens. The Research Associate will work in a team to identify lectibodies with high binding affinity, characterize the binding targets, and assess the influence of lectibodies on both the immune response in animal models of disease and the interaction of fungal cells with organoids in culture. We anticipate that lectibodies will be clinically relevant resources for diagnosing and treating fungal diseases.

Candidate: We are seeking a molecular biologist with a background in developmental biology, glycobiology, or biochemistry. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in developmental biology, molecular biology, or similar fields, and have an excellent publication record. Experience in lectin biochemistry including lectibodies, organoid and tissue culture, or the assessment of lung pathology during viral, bacterial or fungal infection is essential. We are seeking a creative individual with great interpersonal skills and excellent communication, both written and verbal. Proven experience in project planning, preparing funding proposals, securing research funding and managing laboratory expenditures is essential. The candidate must be able to work well in a collaborative team. Preference will be given to candidates who have >4 years of experience in a postdoctoral and/or Research Associate role with experiences of laboratory personnel management.

Opportunity: Successful candidates will have the opportunity to collaborate with the members of the laboratories involved in the projects within and outside of UBC, integrating cutting-edge glycomics, fungal infection, organoids, bioinformatics and immunology. The University of British Columbia is located in Vancouver, which is world-renowned for its scenery and quality of living. UBC is a center of excellence for growing a career in molecular medicine as it applies to fungal pathogens of humans, and the successful candidate will have opportunities to collaborate with world-class researchers in the GlycoNet program.

The expected pay range for this position is $ 68,932 to $76,000 per year.

Application Process: Interested applicants should submit a CV and cover letter that details their experience and contact details for 3 references to the UBC Careers portal at https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/ubcfacultyjobs/job/UBC-Vancouver-Campus/Research-Associate-in-Fungal-Glycobiology_JR20511. Application materials should be submitted no later than the posting end date.

The appointment will be for one year commencing October 1, 2025 with a possibility for extension, subject to satisfactory performance and funding.

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.

Posting End Date

May 11, 2025

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

Job End Date

May 31, 2026

Postdoctoral Fellow in Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics Using Novel Sequencing Technologies

The Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) to join the Multi-omic Analysis of Treatment Resistance and Cancer Heterogeneity (MATCH) lab under the supervision of Dr. Marco Marra. The successful candidate will work on a project that uses novel sequencing technologies such as long-read sequencing and single-cell sequencing to study cancer datasets. They will join a dynamic team of researchers working towards the central goal of using next-generation genomics to improve lives of Canadians living with cancer.

The Technology

This project will deploy genomics technologies (e.g. long-read sequencing, short-read sequencing, single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics) to address topical issues in cancer biology and precision cancer genomic medicine. Long-read sequencing generates sequencing reads averaging tens of thousands base pairs, enabling better mapping and resolution of complex structural variations and repetitive regions, with the added benefit of including base modifications such as DNA methylation. Single-cell sequencing uncovers cellular heterogeneity by profiling the individual cells, revealing insights into cancer heterogeneity and cell populations. Short-read sequencing provides accurate, high throughput data, ideal for identifying single nucleotide variants, expression profiling, and performing bulk analyses. These and related technologies are positioned to transform our understanding of the 200 diseases we call “cancer”.

The Opportunity

The PDF will leverage genomics technologies and bioinformatics analysis to explore the genomic and epigenomic alterations found in cancer. This will require integration of data from whole-genome, transcriptome, and methylome analyses to investigate the epigenetic impact of large genomic changes on cancer genomes. The candidate may develop and implement bioinformatics tools and workflows to process and analyze multi-omics datasets, enabling insights into complex genomic changes. They will facilitate projects in collaboration with local and international scientists, clinicians, and public health researchers to make meaningful impacts to cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

Qualifications and Experience

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Genetics/Genomics, or a related discipline
• Proficiency with the following: long-read sequencing, short-read sequencing, and single-cell sequencing, including data generation and analysis
• Strong publication record in high-impact peer-reviewed journals
• Strong background in cancer research
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience presenting findings at scientific conferences
• Proficiency in bioinformatics programming languages, such as Python, R, and Bash
• Extensive experience in multi-omics analysis, including whole-genome, transcriptome, and methylome sequencing
• Strong skills in developing, implementing, and optimizing bioinformatics workflows and tools
• Experience with high-performance computing environments and version control systems like Git
• Proven success working in multidisciplinary teams, contributing to collaborative research projects

The expected pay range for this position is $55,000 to $60,000 per year. Salary is competitive, negotiable, commensurate with education and experience.

The appointment will be for one year commencing June 1, 2025 with a possibility for extension, subject to satisfactory performance and funding.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit a CV cover letter, a curriculum vitae including a list of publications, and contact details for 3 references to the UBC Careers portal at https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/ubcfacultyjobs/job/UBC-Vancouver-Campus/Postdoctoral-Fellow-in-Cancer-Epigenetics-and-Genomics-Using-Novel-Sequencing-Technologies_JR20284 no later than the posting date.

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.

Posting End Date
May 9, 2025

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

Job End Date

June 30, 2026

The expected pay for this position is $60,000 per year.

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Next-Generation Nanomedicine in UBC

The Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) to join a dynamic and multidisciplinary team under the co-supervision of Dr. Anna Blakney and Dr. Jay Kizhakkedathu. The successful candidate will work on a project developing new lipid and polymeric strategies for RNA delivery. The Blakney Lab at UBC (blakneylab.msl.ubc.ca) develops next-generation RNA vaccines and therapies based on self-amplifying RNA and using interdisciplinary approaches including bioengineering, immunology, molecular biology and bioinformatics. The Kizhakkedathu lab (https://cbr.ubc.ca/our-people/investigators/jayachandran-kizhakkedathu/) develops novel polymers and biomaterials as therapeutics and devices.

Project: RNA medicines have gained considerable momentum in the past few years with the approval of Onpattro and the COVID-19 messenger RNA vaccines. While lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are the state-of-the-art delivery system for RNA, we recently discovered that polymeric nanoparticles are less inflammatory and induce higher protein expression than LNPs. For this project, we are keen to explore the polymer and lipid design space for RNA delivery for a variety of applications. The PDF will work with the Blakney and Kizhakkedathu labs to design and synthesize novel polymers, lipid delivery systems, and test them for RNA delivery and immunogenicity in vivo in preclinical models. We anticipate that nanoparticles will be a clinically translatable delivery system for RNA therapeutics.

Candidate: We are hiring chemists with a background in polymer synthesis, organic chemistry, lipid synthesis, biomaterials and/or bioengineering. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in chemistry, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, or similar fields with excellent publication record. The candidate must be able to work well in a team environment, even in situations where an opportunity is more exciting and time-sensitive than normal. We are seeking a creative individual with great interpersonal skills and excellent communication, both written and verbal.

Opportunity: The PDF will be a member of a fun, diverse and interdisciplinary group. They will learn about RNA gene therapies and different aspects of its delivery. The successful candidate will be actively involved in projects that are intended for clinical translation. The University of British Columbia is located in Vancouver, which is world-renowned for its scenery and quality of living. UBC is a center of excellence for growing your career in nanomedicine and gene delivery technologies, and you will have opportunities to collaborate with world-class leaders in the field through the Nanomedicine Innovation Network.

The expected pay for this position is $60,000 per year.

The appointment will be for one year commencing July 1, 2025 with a possibility for extension, subject to satisfactory performance and funding.

Application Process: Interested applicants should submit a CV and cover letter that details their experience and contact details for 3 references. Applications should be submitted to the UBC Careers portal at https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ubcfacultyjobs/job/Postdoctoral-Fellowship-in-Next-Generation-Nanomedicine_JR19982 no later than the posting date.

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.

Dr. Sabrina Leslie at UBC Michael Smith Laboratories is recruiting a graduate student with interest in biophysics and nanomedicines. Our group develops and utilizes single-molecule fluorescence microscopy techniques to study lipid nanoparticle loading and delivery of biomolecules in cell-like environments. We’ve developed the Convex Lens-induced Confinement (CLiC) imaging platform, which makes it possible to watch individual, freely diffusing biomolecules/ nanoparticles as they search for and bind to each other, allowing us to make measurements that are not possible with other methods. This technique is applied both to basic biophysical research and development of drugs and therapeutics.

Project: Nanoparticle analytics

This project will study the structure and structural transitions of nanoparticles in controlled environments, to help develop nanoparticle-based drug delivery platforms. Nanoparticles are an emerging technology used to encapsulate drugs for delivery into the body. Upon an environmental shift, the structure of the nanoparticle changes, releasing the drug. The goal of this research will be to characterize these dynamics and understand drug delivery mechanisms.

Training: Graduate students in the Leslie Lab receive training in single-molecule microscopy, specializing in the CLiC imaging technique pioneered in our lab; bulk characterization techniques such as Dynamic Light Scattering, fluorimetry, and gel electrophoresis; and computational modelling and analysis. The candidates will work with sophisticated DNA/RNA constructs as well as complex lipid nanoparticle formulations, with exposure to molecular design of oligotherapeutic compounds and biomimetic delivery vehicles. The training environment will include interactions with a start-up company, ScopeSys Inc., which is commercializing CLiC technology; as well as collaborators in pharmaceutical science, biochemistry and medicine.

We are looking for a well-organized, enthusiastic team player who enjoys lab work and troubleshooting scientific instrumentation. Background/training in biochemistry, quantitative biology, pharmaceutical sciences or surface chemistry is an asset. Proficiency with a musical instrument and/or dungeons and dragons are also assets. The successful candidates must have a passion for innovation and pushing scientific and engineering capabilities to the forefront of what is possible today.

Application deadline: December 31, 2025. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to leslielab [at] msl.ubc.ca.

Dr. Sabrina Leslie at UBC Michael Smith Laboratories is recruiting a graduate student with interest in biophysics, nanoscience, biotechnology, engineering and computational analysis. Our group develops and utilizes single-molecule fluorescence microscopy techniques to study interactions of biomolecules in cell-like environments. We’ve developed the Convex Lens-induced Confinement (CLiC) imaging platform, which makes it possible to watch individual, naturally fluctuating biomolecules as they search for and bind to each other, allowing us to make measurements that are not possible with other methods. This technique is applied both to basic biophysical research and development of drugs and therapeutics.

Project: Oligonucleotide therapeutics

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are an emerging treatment for genetic diseases. They are snippets of modified DNA designed to bind to mRNA produced by a detrimental gene and targeting it for destruction. The goal of this research project will be to characterize ASO-mRNA binding dynamics to improve drug and treatment development.

Training: Graduate students in the Leslie Lab receive training in single-molecule microscopy specializing in the CLiC imaging technique pioneered in our lab, bulk characterization techniques such as Dynamic Light Scattering, fluorimetry, spectrophotometry, and gel electrophoresis, and computational modelling and analysis. The candidates will work with sophisticated DNA/RNA constructs as well as complex lipid nanoparticle formulations, with exposure to molecular design of oligotherapeutic compounds and biomimetic delivery vehicles. The training environment will include interactions with a start-up company, ScopeSys Inc., which is commercializing CLiC technology; as well as collaborators in pharmaceutical science, biochemistry and medicine.

Interested candidate should have a degree in physics, engineering, or biophysics, with passion for lab work and troubleshooting scientific instrumentation, and is creative, versatile and well-organized. Strong interest in optics and instrumentation is an asset. Proficiency with a musical instrument and/or dungeons and dragons are also assets. The successful candidates must have a passion for innovation and pushing scientific and engineering capabilities to the forefront of what is possible today.

Application deadline: December 31, 2025. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to leslielab [at] msl.ubc.ca

Dr. Sabrina Leslie at UBC Michael Smith Laboratories is recruiting a graduate student with interest in biophysics, nanoscience and biology. Our group develops and utilizes single-molecule fluorescence microscopy techniques to study interactions of biomolecules in cell-like environments. We’ve developed the Convex Lens-induced Confinement (CLiC) imaging platform, which makes it possible to watch individual, naturally fluctuating biomolecules as they search for and bind to each other, allowing us to make measurements that are not possible with other methods. This technique is applied both to basic biophysical research and development of drugs and therapeutics.

Project: Effects of topology on DNA structure and interactions

DNA supercoiling drives structural transitions within a DNA molecule. This project will study the dynamics of such transitions, how multiple transitions within the same molecule can compete with one another, and how such transitions affect protein-DNA interactions. The goal of the research project will be to better understand the role of these structural transitions in gene regulation and bridge the gap between in vitro and live cell studies.

Training: Graduate students in the Leslie Lab receive training in single-molecule microscopy, specializing in the CLiC imaging technique pioneered in our lab; bulk characterization techniques such as Dynamic Light Scattering, and fluorimetry; standard molecular biology techniques including cell transformation, and gel electrophoresis; and computational modelling, image processing and analysis. The training environment will include interactions with a start-up company, ScopeSys Inc., which is commercializing CLiC technology; as well as collaborators in pharmaceutical science, biochemistry and medicine.

We are looking for a well-organized, enthusiastic team player who enjoys lab work and troubleshooting scientific instrumentation. A successful candidate would have experience with or interest in DNA structure and function, fluorescence microscopy, statistical mechanics, mathematical modelling, and computer programming. Background in biophysics, molecular genetics, quantitative biology, or a related field is an asset. Proficiency with a musical instrument and/or dungeons and dragons are also assets. The successful candidates must have a passion for innovation and pushing scientific and engineering capabilities to the forefront of what is possible today.

Application deadline: December 31, 2025. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to leslielab [at] msl.ubc.ca.