Postdoctoral Researcher

Compensation: CAD 54902 - CAD 93333 - yearly

Company Description
UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care.

UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

UHN’s vision is to build A Healthier World and it’s only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.

Union:  Non-Union

Number of Vacancies :  1
New or Replacement Position:
New
Site:  Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, MaRS Tower
Department:  Princess Margaret Research

Reports to:

Principal Investigator
Salary Range:  $54,902 - $93,333 Annually

Hours:

37.5 Hours Per Week

Shifts:

Monday - Friday
Status:  Temporary Full-time
Closing Date:  April 3, 2026

Position Summary
The Myc oncoprotein is dysregulated in most human cancers and is a key regulator of gene transcription, binding to ~10% of the human genome to drive biological activities associated with the hallmarks of cancer. Successfully targeting MYC would represent a breakthrough in cancer therapy, but due to the intrinsically disordered nature of the MYC protein it has evaded classic drug development approaches for several decades.

Our lab has recently had a breakthrough and identified several proteins that interact with MYC. These data provide an unprecedented opportunity to i) better understand MYC regulation and function as a potent cancer driver, and ii) develop anti-MYC activity therapies by blocking critical MYC-protein interactions. This novel line of research has enormous potential to radically advance new knowledge, revolutionize cancer treatment, have economic impact to Canada, and make a lasting impact to patients and their families.

We are searching for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher with a PhD in a related discipline, such molecular biology or biochemistry. This project will consist of validating and characterizing novel MYC-protein interactions at the cellular and tumor levels, with a focus on proteins that are essential to MYC oncogenic function. The successful candidate will be working at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and will benefit from a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary research team.

Duties

Conduct protein-protein interaction assays, such as proximity ligation assay, co-immunoprecipitation, BioID

Interrogate the role of phosphorylation on MYC-protein interaction

Analyze protein-DNA interactions using CUT&RUN or Chromatin Immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing or qPCR

Perform analyses of gene expression including RT-qPCR, RNA-seq, EU incorporation

Assay MYC-protein complexes regulating gene transcription and oncogenesis by a variety of methods

Have strong computational skills to enable genomic analyses and data integration

Work with databases that enable our research such as Encode and Dep Map

Understand the state-of-the-art at both the methodological and biological levels

Report results both in writing and orally to individuals as well as collaborative groups

Qualifications

PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry or related discipline

Expertise in the area of gene transcription and protein-protein interaction, signaling and/or protein phosphorylation and function

Comprehensive experience in using and developing tumor models based in tissue culture and mice

Work well independently as well as with others as part of a team

Excellent problem recognition and problem-solving and data interpretation

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Excellent organizational and time management skills

Ability to set priorities and work independently with accuracy in a fast-paced multitasking environment

Additional Information
In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

Competitive offer packages

Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP )

Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service

A flexible work environment

Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization

Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts…