Postdoctoral Researcher

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Russell Lab and Resolve Nanotherapeutics

Department of Medicine, with labs located in the Life Sciences Institute and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, on the University of British Columbia Point Grey Campus.

Job Summary:

The lab of Dr. James (Jim) Russell, in the department of Medicine, with labs located in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, is looking for a highly motivated, full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PDF) with a PhD in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, or a related field. The PDF will be supervised by Dr. Jim Russell and will also work closely with Mitacs PDF sponsor company Resolve Nanotherapeutics leadership.

The candidate will head a multidisciplinary project leading engineering efforts for mRNA cargo sequences used in novel, validated host-modulating candidate drugs for severe bacterial infections. A strong molecular biology background and experience with bacterial infectious disease are assets. The candidate will require both a strong scientific background and excellent communication skills as they will be part of a cross-faculty multi-disciplinary team.

This position will involve significant interaction with and supervision by the UBC spinout company Resolve Nanotherapeutics and is an industry-oriented position with the opportunity to gain experience in the biotechnology field. There is also close collaboration with the lab of Dr. Pieter Cullis for LNP formulation expertise.

The successful candidate will also run collaborations with other academic and potentially industrial groups, develop new intellectual property, and support grant and patent applications. The start date for this position is flexible but as soon as possible is preferred.

• Plasmid reporter construct development, validation, and use in screening assays
• mRNA construct development and engineering
• Fluorescent-based in vitro functional assays, both flow-cytometry and microscopy-based
• Basic LNP mRNA formulation for in vitro and in vivo experimentation
• Interpretation of next-generation sequencing results and structural engineering techniques in collaboration with field experts
• Training junior laboratory members and students
• Preparing manuscripts for publication, and supporting and writing grant proposals
• Attending meetings and seminars
• Initiating and direction collaborations with other labs

• A PhD in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Molecular Microbiology, or related
• A solid scientific and technical background with excellent written and oral communication, as well as effective interpersonal skills
• A strong background in molecular biology and genetic engineering; additional nucleic acid formulation (LNP or other) experience is an asset but not required
• Experience in the field of infectious disease is an asset
• A quality track record of scientific output, with at least 2 first author manuscripts in reputable journals preferred but not required
• Excellent writing and presentation skills are required

For more than fifty years, the Department of Medicine has played an active and important role at UBC and in the greater scientific community. The Department is home to large consortium of research laboratories from organized into nine research clusters, fostering a strong foundation for innovation and collaborations. All members of the Department maintain active, well-funded research programs that encompass many areas of modern biochemistry, and molecular and structural biology.

The Department hosts an active Graduate program with 100+ students and offers undergraduate courses and laboratory courses for honours, major and minor Undergraduate programs.

The host Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology is mainly located in the Life Science Institute (LSI) in Vancouver, BC. A number of research faculty, however, are dispersed at different locations, such as, Michael Smith Labs and BCCHR, and the teaching stream are based in the Biological Sciences Building at the Point Grey Campus. The Biological Sciences Building is a hub for Science Undergraduate teaching and students, housing a number of Departments such as the Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Botany, Cellular & Physiological Sciences, and Zoology.

All members of the Departments maintain their lab teaching activities at this new site.

As one of the world's leading universities, the University of British Columbia creates an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada and the world. UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply.

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