Research Associate, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Job Overview

The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Research Associate. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

Reporting to the Principal Investigator.

• Lab Management and Supervision
  • Responsible for maintaining a personal workbench area within the laboratory
  • Collaborate with the Principal Investigator to design experiments for studying L-asparaginase-induced apoptosis in aLL cells
  • Lab set up (lab organization and management of equipment)
  • Management of safety issues
  • Preparation of grant proposals
• Budget and Administrative Responsibilities
  • Responsible for ordering and stock checking:
    Maintain an inventory of lab supplies and equipment, placing orders as needed to ensure uninterrupted research activities, with ordering done by our lab manager
• Research and Development
  • Design and conduct experiments to investigate the role of PAR2 and OPRM1 pathways in ASNase-induced apoptosis of aLL cells
  • Conduct literature review, surveys, data analysis and interpretation, laboratory experiments, and other research for use in scholarly publications
  • Develop and optimize protocols for precise measurement of intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) in aLL cells
  • Computational biology skills
    • Data processing:
      Adobe Photo Shop, Sigma Plot and biological graphic program
    • Statistical analysis (EXCEL, Graph Pad)
  • Development of animal model systems (Mostly cancer and angiogenesis animal models)
    • Animal toxicology experiments for industrial chemicals and drugs: LD50, LC50
  • Knock-down/-out and over-expression vector systems
    • Design complex plasmids including mammalian or viral vector, Piggy Bac-transposon system and execute the cloning, using either PCR, restriction enzymes
    • Producing Adenovirus, Retrovirus and Lentivirus for gene over-expression or knock-down/out
    • Establishment of stable cell lines
  • Establish and maintain inventory of chemicals and biologicals
    • Keep accurate records of experiments and laboratory samples
    • Prepare for presentation at scientific meetings and for publication
• Communication and Reporting
  • Prepare and present research findings at lab meetings, conferences, and in scientific publications
  • Write initial drafts of manuscripts detailing experimental results and their implications for the development of novel aLL therapies
  • Communicate effectively with team members and external collaborators to ensure the successful completion of research projects
• Collaboration and Relationship Management
  • Regularly update the Principal Investigator on project progress and any issues that arise, ensuring transparency and efficient problem-solving

• PhD degree in a related scientific subject area, with strong publication record and hands-on experience using Flowjo, Image J, SARS, SPSS, Prism are required
• Minimum 4 - 5 years of experience in a molecular biosciences research area, working specifically with aLL cell lines, required
• Post-doctoral experience is strongly required
• Ability to write and communicate in English, including writing first drafts of scientific manuscripts for publication and a demonstrated successful publication record as first or senior author
• Expertise with molecular biology techniques such as qPCR, qRT-PCR, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, nucleic acid extraction, primer design, genotyping, and analysis techniques including analysis of microarray data
• Familiarity using mammalian and avian animal model systems for immunohistochemistry (IHC) and with isolating and processing their biological samples (eg. blood, tissues, urine)
• Experience in the areas of cell biology and cellular immunology; antibody-based immunoassays: ELISA, western blotting, immunoprecipitation, FACS
• Expertise in computational biology, bioinformatic analyses, data processing:
  Adobe Photoshop, Sigma Plot and biological graphic programs; statistical analysis (EXCEL, Graph Pad), required
• In depth knowledge of scientific, clinical and technical issues in the area of blood cancers and specifically aLL
• Experience with animal models of inflammation-related diseases, including setting up life cycles of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and isolation and culture of primary cells
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), Internet skills
• WHIMS Certification

Final date to receive applications:
January 5, 2026

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No).

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

To Apply, please visit the University of Calgary's career opportunities…