Research Associate or , Biology

Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:XENE) is a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to drug discovery, clinical development, and commercialization of life-changing therapeutics for patients in need. We are looking for great people who thrive in a respectful, collaborative, inclusive, and productive culture to join the Xenon team.

We are advancing an exciting product pipeline to address indications with high unmet medical need, including epilepsy, depression and pain. Our Phase 3 azetukalner program represents the most advanced, clinically validated potassium channel modulator in late-stage clinical development for multiple indications. In March 2026, we announced positive topline data from our Phase 3 X-TOLE2 study of azetukalner in focal onset seizures (FOS), and we submitted a New Drug Application to the Food and Drug Administration in the third quarter of 2026.

Our Phase 3 epilepsy program also includes a second FOS study, X-TOLE3, which would support regulatory submissions outside the U.S., and the X-ACKT study in primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, which would support regulatory submissions for an additional epilepsy indication. We also have multiple Phase 3 azetukalner clinical trials underway in major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar depression (BPD), based on topline data from our Phase 2 X-NOVA clinical trial.

In addition, we are proud of our strong heritage in human genetics, deep understanding of ion channel biology, and expertise in novel chemistries to enable potent, selective ion channel targeting. We continue to advance an early-stage pipeline of novel therapeutic candidates, including Phase 1 studies for XEN
1701 and XEN
1720 (targeting Nav
1.7) and XEN
1120 (targeting Kv7), which are being developed for pain. Backed by a strong balance sheet to support our growth plans, we continue to build a fully integrated, premier neuroscience company with strong discovery, clinical development, corporate, and commercial operations.

We are seeking Research Associate 1 or 2, Biology with experience in brain slice electrophysiology to join our team for a 1-year contract. The candidate must be interested in neuroscience and/or pharmacology with a knowledge of electrophysiology to work with cutting edge techniques in our industry lab setting. The candidate will perform patch clamp electrophysiology experiments in acute rodent brain slices to characterize the effects of novel compounds on neuronal excitability and ion channel function.

The successful candidate will also support a range of neuroscience research activities, including viral injections in neonatal mice, imaging-based assays, tissue processing and cross-functional ex vivo pharmacology efforts. This candidate will join a passionate, diverse, and dynamic team focused on developing treatments for epilepsy and other neurologic conditions.

The Research Associate 1 or 2, Biology will report to the Senior Research Scientist, Biology and be based out of Vancouver, BC, Canada. The level of the position will be commensurate with the candidate’s education and industry experience. On-site positions require up to five on-site days per week.

• Independently design and execute electrophysiological recordings from brain slices.
• Aid the ex vivo team in performing viral injections in neonatal mice for expression of various exogenous proteins, such as fluorescent markers or opsins.
• Conduct tissue culture, immunohistochemistry and fluorescence microscopy as required.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support target validation and translational neuroscience studies.
• Keep up to date and detailed records of experiments and data analysis.
• Report writing, documentation and presentations…