Position Summary

The School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) invites applications for a Research Associate position to join an interdisciplinary translational research program in stem cell bioengineering.

The School of Biomedical Engineering is a partnership between the Faculties of Medicine and Applied Science. The School is a nucleus for education and training, research, and innovation in biomedical engineering; creating new knowledge, new academic and training programs, and fostering translation and innovation. The School is currently responsible for 350+ undergraduate students, 140+ graduate students and 30+ faculty. Over time, the School will be responsible for as many as 400+ undergraduate students, 200+ graduate students and 40+ faculty.

The focus of the research program at the Zandstra lab is to generate functional tissue from stem cells in order to reveal rules governing organ formation and accelerate progress on regenerative therapeutics, with a particular focus on blood generating lineages and blood cell therapeutic translation.

Organizational Status

The position will report to Dr. Zandstra and will play a key role in advancing the lab’s research projects. The incumbent will work collaboratively with other lab members including undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, research associates, and technicians, to achieve project goals.

Responsibilities

The primary function of the Research Associate will be to carry out and support scientific research activities mutually agreed upon with Dr. Zandstra. This may include, for example, differentiating hematopoietic cells from pluripotent stem cells using protocols previously established in the lab (Shukla et al. Nature Methods 2017 doi: 10.1038/nmeth.4258; Michaels et al. 2021, biorxiv doi:10.1101/2021.11.26.470145; Science Advances 2022 in press). Work may include efforts to characterize and improve the differentiation of hematopoietic cells, hematopoietic progenitor cells, T cell progenitors and mature T cells from pluripotent stem cells. The applicant may utilize single cell transcriptomics, bioengineering and synthetic biology to achieve these scientific goals.

In addition to undertaking these research activities, the successful applicant will also contribute to the success of the lab. Specific tasks may include:

• Assisting Dr. Zandstra in writing designated manuscripts, reports, and communications related to the projects in coordination with other group members and under the direction, input and guidance of Dr. Zandstra;

• Providing informal mentorship to lab members including graduate and undergraduate students, and technicians;

• Developing a formal mentorship program for the lab and begin implementation;

• Providing training on research methods to certain junior and senior lab members on specific techniques in agreement with Dr. Zandstra;

• Working with Dr. Zandstra on project related to the development and commercialization of technologies emerging from the lab;

• Assisting Dr. Zandstra to review research dissemination materials prepared by other lab members such as manuscripts, conference posters and presentations, and thesis drafts;

• Working with Dr. Zandstra to expand existing processes for generating and distributing PSC-derived CD34+ cells to members of the Zandstra lab, to the wider research and commercial communities; and

• Assisting efforts, with Dr. Zandstra’s direction, input and guidance, to secure new funding for the research group, including from federal, provincial, and industrial partners.

Qualifications

The candidate must hold a PhD, with at least 3 years of postdoctoral research experience in stem cell biology and in vitro cell differentiation.

• Expertise in the fields of stem cell biology, biophysics or bioengineering, and, in particular, pluripotent stem cells (PSC), hematopoiesis, and immune cell biology, is required.
• Preference will be given to candidates who have skills in the following topics:
  • in vitro cell differentiation culture modeling and big data visualization/exploration,
  • significant research experience performing experiments with human PSC and PSC differentiation, ideally towards the hematopoietic lineages, and
  • development and implementation of synthetic/molecular biology/genetic engineering tools in these model systems.
• Candidates should have a strong research background, as demonstrated by past publications, accomplishments, and references.
• The successful candidate will be a passionate, self-driven, independent thinker with excellent interpersonal, facilitation and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously.
• Excellent communicator with strong written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to deliver presentations and present information clearly and concisely.

Supervision received

The incumbent will receive supervision by the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Peter Zandstra.

Supervision given

The incumbent may be required to supervise lab members/HQP involved in the research program.

Start date and stipend

The anticipated start date is September 1, 2022 or upon a date to be mutually agreed. The position is full-time for one year with the possibility of extension subject to work performance and funding availability. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

How to Apply

Candidates should provide a CV, names and contact information of 3 references, and a cover letter describing past achievements and future research interests. Please submit your applications directly via Workday from this https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ubcfacultyjobs/details/Research-Associate_JR8837.

 For any inquiries regarding this position, please contact [email protected]

Review of applications will start on August 28 2022 and will continue until the position is filled.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

 All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.