Current Positions

The Michael Smith Laboratories (MSL), in partnership with the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (MBIM) in the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver seeks candidates for an Assistant Professor of Teaching with an expected start date of no earlier than January 1, 2026, and an annual salary within the range of $110,000-130,000.

This recruitment marks a strategic expansion of our educational excellence. The successful candidate would join a team with deep educational leadership expertise within the combined MSL and MBIM, and receive mentoring and support towards career progression.

The successful candidate will hold a joint appointment in the Michael Smith Laboratories (MSL) and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (MBIM), playing a pivotal role in advancing STEM pedagogy across both units. Within MSL, the candidate will contribute to the Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory (AMBL), a central hub for scientific literacy and innovative science education programming. AMBL offers a broad range of initiatives, including molecular biology training for UBC students and external clients, extensive STEM outreach, and dynamic science communication projects. The candidate will be expected to enhance and expand these offerings by strengthening existing programs and launching new initiatives that align with AMBL’s mission.

As a member of MBIM, the candidate will contribute to undergraduate education through the teaching of microbiology and immunology courses. Additional responsibilities may include developing and coordinating tutorials, as well as integrating data science pedagogy into MBIM’s curriculum. This position offers a unique opportunity to bridge interdisciplinary education efforts between two leading UBC units.

Appointed within the Educational Leadership stream, the candidate is also expected to demonstrate a strong potential for educational leadership, as outlined by the Faculty of Science and the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT).

The position requires a minimum of a PhD in a field that is relevant and harmonizes with the research interests of both the MSL and MBIM, within the Faculty of Science. Successful candidates should also have demonstrated evidence of outstanding teaching, excellent knowledge of pedagogical approaches, and experience in contributing towards educational programs and course development.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in computational biology, molecular biology, microbiology, or a complementary field that aligns well with these disciplines. Furthermore, other desired qualifications include experience working with Indigenous communities or organizations and strong familiarity with scientific perspectives that value traditional knowledge systems; as well as general experiences that showcase a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, to create a welcoming community for all, particularly those who are historically, persistently or systematically marginalized.

Envisioned by Dr. Michael Smith, a Nobel Laureate and a pioneer at the interface of biology and technology, the Michael Smith Laboratories (MSL; https://www.msl.ubc.ca/) was one the first institutes in the world that recognized the power of scientists and engineers working together in interdisciplinary contexts. Our highly interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment supports faculty with focus in genomics, molecular biology, engineering, and biotechnology. Today, the MSL is home to a world class team of researchers with diverse expertise, from faculties including Science, Medicine, Applied Science, Forestry, and Land and Food Systems.

UBC’s campuses are located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples and of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil Waututh) Nations.

Applications must be submitted through https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/events/30243 and include the following:

• Cover letter (2 pages max)
• Curriculum vitae including a list of publications
• Research statement describing current and past expertise (2 pages max)
• Teaching statement describing experience, innovations, philosophy (4 pages max)
• Arrange for four letters of reference to be uploaded on letterhead to through https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/events/30243
• Diversity statement describing your lived background experience (if comfortable), and your past experience and future plans regarding working with a diverse student body, and contributing to a culture of equity and inclusion (1 page max)

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. Inclusion is built by individual and institutional responsibility through continuous engagement with diversity to inspire people, ideas, and actions for a better world. 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, Métis, Inuk, or Indigenous person. UBC acknowledges that certain circumstances may cause career interruptions that legitimately affect an applicant’s record of research or educational leadership achievement. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like consideration given to the impact of any circumstances, such as those due to health or family reasons, in order to allow for a fair assessment of their research productivity.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority, and members of historically marginalized groups will be given special consideration.

If you have any needs or questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the job application, recruitment and hiring process or for more information and support, please visit UBC’s Center For Workplace Accessibility website at https://hr.ubc.ca/health-and-wellbeing/working-injury-illness-or-disability/centre-workplace-accessibility or contact the Centre at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca.

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible work environment for all members of its workforce. Within this hiring process we will make efforts to create an accessible process for all candidates (including but not limited to disabled people). Confidential accommodations are available on request by contacting Marc Betsayda by email at hr@msl.ubc.ca.

The closing date for applications is September 30^th, 2025.

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.

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.