Research Associate, Oncology

Overview
The Department of Oncology in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Research Associate. This full‑time fixed‑term position is for approximately 2 years (based on grant funding) with the possibility of extension.

The Research Associate will report directly to the Principal Investigator, Professor in the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute within the Cumming School of Medicine and will play a central role in advancing research in Multiple Myeloma at the Arthur Child Cancer Center.

This role focuses on understanding mechanisms of resistance to T‑cell based therapies in Multiple Myeloma. It involves periodic travel, working weekends, and presenting at national and international workshops and conferences.

Salary range : $32.69 – $47.33 per hour. Position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit under the Technical Job Family, Phase 2.

Responsibilities

Lead and execute experimental Multiple Myeloma research projects, including the design, optimization, and implementation of laboratory‑based assays and protocols.

Assist with plans and designs for specialized applications to meet the needs of operations, research, and services, including the design and performance of in vitro and ex vivo experiments using Multiple Myeloma cell lines and primary patient samples to investigate disease mechanisms, identify therapeutic targets, and predict treatment responses.

Perform a range of molecular, cellular, and biochemical techniques, including cell culture, flow cytometry, Western blotting, PCR/qPCR, immunoassays, microscopy, and drug response analysis.

Execute highly complex and analytical functions such as single‑cell studies using primary patient samples to identify mechanisms of treatment resistance.

Utilize liquid biopsy approaches, including cell‑free DNA (cfDNA), to monitor disease progression and relapse.

Maintain high concentration to analyze and interpret experimental data to identify disease‑relevant pathways and inform hypothesis generation and study refinement.

Maintain accurate and detailed experimental records, ensuring reproducibility, data integrity, and compliance with institutional, ethical, and regulatory standards.

Recommend changes to methods, procedures, and practices within the lab.

Contribute to the preparation of scientific manuscripts, abstracts, grant applications, and technical reports.

Collaborate with clinicians, translational researchers, and external partners to advance interdisciplinary and translational cancer research initiatives.

Provide mentorship, day‑to‑day supervision, and technical training to graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate trainees.

Demonstrate strong communication, team, and customer service skills, and an ability to exercise judgment within established guidelines.

Establish and maintain effective, productive relationships with staff, peers, immediate supervisor, senior management, and the campus community.

Support overall laboratory operations, including equipment maintenance, reagent preparation, inventory management, and adherence to biosafety protocols.

Under limited supervision and direction, develop and implement original experiments within the guidelines of the research.

Qualifications

PhD in Immunology, Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Hematology, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related discipline required.

Minimum five years of post‑doctoral experience in a Myeloma research area required.

Minimum five years of technical experience and completion of post‑secondary education in oncology research.

Demonstrated post‑doctoral expertise in Multiple Myeloma research, with hands‑on experience using established cell lines and/or primary patient samples for at least five years required.

Minimum five years of supervisory experience.

Ability to perform detailed design, documentation, and implementation of complex technological systems relevant to cancer research, such as mammalian cell culture, flow cytometry, molecular and protein analysis (PCR/qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA), microscopy, and drug response assays required.

Deep proficiency in multi‑omics single‑cell studies such as scRNASeq, scATACSeq, and scVDJ, including library…