Postdoctoral Fellow | Temporary ; FTE CHEO Research Institute

Position: Postdoctoral Fellow | Temporary Full Time (1.0 FTE) | CHEO Research Institute
JOB DESCRIPTION  Posting # - RI-26-038
Posting Period – September 4 to 21, 2026
Position:
Postdoctoral Fellow Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy
New Position Term:
Full‑time (FTE 1.0) – 1 year contract, with possibility of extension
Salary:
From $55,000 - $65,000 per year, will be commensurate with skills and experience

Reports to:

Principal Investigator, Dr. Zakia Djaoud
The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute Inc. (“CHEO RI”) is the research arm of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario – Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre (“CHEO”) and an affiliated research institute of the University of Ottawa. We respectfully acknowledge that CHEO RI is located on the unceded, traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabek People, who have lived on and cared for this land since time immemorial.

We honour their enduring presence and the ways their culture and stewardship have shaped and continue to nurture this land. CHEO RI also recognizes and values the historic and ongoing contributions of all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. CHEO is a deeply trusted institution and workplace, widely regarded as a cornerstone of our community. CHEO RI advances this legacy by generating new knowledge and evidence to support CHEO in delivering world‑class care to children and youth.
Our mission is to connect exceptional talent and innovative technologies to pursue life‑changing research for every child, youth, and family in our community and beyond.
The CHEO Research Institute has an immediate opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow. The Djaoud laboratory is seeking a highly motivated and creative Postdoctoral Fellow with a strong background in immunology, particularly T cell biology and innate lymphocytes. The successful candidate will lead innovative research projects investigating the biology, function and therapeutic potential of human innate lymphocytes, with a particular focus on γδ T cells and NK cells.

The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to projects integrating high‑dimensional flow cytometry, multi‑omics approaches, functional immune assays, and translational studies using human samples and in vivo models.
The candidate will have opportunities to develop independent research directions while contributing to a collaborative and dynamic research environment focused on advancing novel immunotherapeutic strategies.
We are seeking an enthusiastic, creative, and highly motivated scientist with strong technical expertise in primary immune cell culture, human sample processing, flow cytometry, molecular biology and immune profiling approaches.

Experience with spectral flow cytometry, single‑cell technologies, next‑generation sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, or animal models is highly desirable.
The successful candidate will participate in all aspects of research activities, including experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, manuscript preparation, grant development, preparation of scientific presentations, and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate trainees.
The candidate should demonstrate scientific independence, strong organizational skills, excellent communication abilities and the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.
This position provides an excellent opportunity for an ambitious scientist to develop expertise in cutting‑edge immunology approaches and contribute to impactful research in human immune biology and cancer immunotherapy.
RESPONSIBILITIES   Design, optimize and execute experiments to address key research objectives and project milestones.
Develop and implement experimental strategies using advanced immunological approaches, including high‑dimensional flow cytometry, functional immune assays, multi‑omics approaches, and molecular techniques.
Process and analyze human biological samples according to established ethical and biosafety requirements.
Analyze, interpret and communicate complex biological datasets.
Generate publication‑quality figures, presentations, and scientific reports.
Maintain accurate experimental records and ensure compliance with laboratory procedures.
Independently manage research projects and develop weekly…