Current Positions

Research Associate Position – S. cerevisiae Molecular Genetics

A Research Associate position is available in the Michael Smith Laboratories at The University of British Columbia, under the supervision of Prof. Philip Hieter. This position is being created to provide high level support for a diverse group of researchers working with Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in genetics, and at least 4 years of post-doctoral research experience in yeast genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology, and a strong publication record. Moreover, candidates must have a strong research acumen in yeast chromosome biology, mechanisms of spindle regulation, and the role of separase and cohesin in chromosome transmission is an asset. Technical expertise in plasmid construction, yeast transformation, growth assays, yeast genetic analysis, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, fluorescence microscopy, HPLC, flow cytometry is highly desirable. The ability to work and lead in a high-collaborative team environment is a necessity, and demonstrated ability to write and edit research proposals and train new students and postdocs on research procedures is required.

Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter including contact information for three professional references, and a curriculum vitae including a list of publications. Application materials should be combined into a single PDF document and sent to Dr. Phil Hieter at hieter@msl.ubc.ca. Please include “Research Associate position – S. cerevisiae Molecular Genetics” in the email subject line; incorrectly addressed applications will not be considered.

The closing date for applications is February 18, 2021. The position is available immediately with a minimum salary commensurate with the rank of Research Associate at the University.

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 will be given priority.

Dr. Sabrina Leslie (https://leslielab.msl.ubc.ca) at UBC Michael Smith Laboratories and Physics & Astronomy is recruiting graduate students with interdisciplinary interests ranging across biophysics, nanoscience, biotechnology, engineering and computational analysis.

Research Program: Our group develops and utilizes single-molecule fluorescence microscopy techniques to study interactions of biomolecules in cell-like environments. We’ve developed the Convex Lens-induced Confinement (“CLiC”) imaging platform, which makes it possible to watch individual, naturally fluctuating biomolecules as they search for and bind to each other, allowing us to make measurements that are not possible with other methods. We apply this technique both to basic biophysical research and development of drugs and therapeutics.

Training: Graduate students in the Leslie Lab will receive training in single-molecule microscopy, specializing in the CLiC imaging technique pioneered in our lab; bulk characterization techniques such as Dynamic Light Scattering, fluorimetry, and gel electrophoresis; and computational modelling and analysis. The candidates will work with sophisticated DNA/RNA constructs as well as complex lipid nanoparticle formulations, with exposure to molecular design of oligotherapeutic compounds and biomimetic delivery vehicles.  The training environment will include interactions with a start-up company, ScopeSys Inc., which is commercializing CLiC technology; as well as collaborators in pharmaceutical science, biochemistry and medicine.

On-going projects:

Effects of topology on DNA interactions
We study the effects of supercoiling on DNA-DNA, and protein-DNA interactions both in vitro and in live cells. The goal of the research is to better understand the role of DNA structure in gene regulation.

Nanoparticle analytics
We study the structure and structural transitions of nanoparticles in controlled environments, to help develop nanoparticle-based drug delivery platforms. Nanoparticles are an emerging technology used to encapsulate drugs for delivery into the body. Upon an environmental shift, the structure of the nanoparticle changes, releasing the drug. The goal of our research is to characterize these dynamics and understand drug delivery mechanisms.

Oligonucleotide therapeutics
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are an emerging treatment for genetic diseases. They are snippets of modified DNA designed to bind to mRNA produced by a detrimental gene and targeting it for destruction. The goal of our research is to characterize ASO-mRNA binding dynamics to improve drug and treatment development.

Prospective students: We are looking for well-organized, enthusiastic team players who enjoy lab work and troubleshooting scientific instrumentation. Experience with microscopy, image processing, or experimental biophysical techniques is an asset. Proficiency with a musical instrument and/or dungeons and dragons are also assets. The successful candidates must have a passion for innovation and pushing scientific and engineering capabilities to the forefront of what is possible today. Prospective students are encouraged to contact: contact.leslielab [at] gmail.com.

Seeking candidates for a postdoctoral fellow position at the University of British Columbia, in the areas of gene therapy and platelet biology. The successful applicant will be co-supervised by Christian Kastrup (Michael Smith Labs, https://kastruplab.msl.ubc.ca ) and Eric Jan (Life Sciences Institute, http://www.ubcjanlab.com). This research project is in collaboration with the labs of Dr. Pieter Cullis, Dr. Dana Devine, and with Acuitas Therapeutics, the NanoMedicines Innovation Network, and Canadian and US military partners. The ideal candidate has a background in molecular biology, and experience in platelet biology and/or gene therapy. We are seeking a creative individual who works well independently and as a team, with great interpersonal skills and excellent communication, both written and verbal. The candidate will design and analyze experiments, organize their own workload, keep meticulous records of experiments and data, report on research progress and outcomes openly, review methodologies in response to feedback, and help lead a team of researchers. The ideal candidate is experienced reviewing literature to devise new research directions and to generate creative and novel ideas for new projects, collaborations or techniques.

Project: Enhancing Transfusable Platelets with Genetic and Protein Engineering.

The project will develop technologies to enhance and expand the therapeutic potential of platelets using lipid-based gene therapy, including mRNA and gene editing approaches. This project is funded and aims to reduce mortality and morbidity from severe hemorrhage in austere settings by enhancing transfusable platelets. The candidate will have opportunities to leverage the expertise of the Kastrup Lab, Jan Lab, Devine lab and Cullis Lab in genetic engineering, nanomedicine, platelet biochemistry, precision medicine and transfusion medicine . This project aims to modulate the synthesis and release of protein cargoes from transfusable platelets, through state-of-the-art mRNA and protein transfection and delivery systems, in which our team members are unique experts.

Vancouver is world-renowned for its scenery and quality of living, and the University of British Columbia is a centre of excellence for growing your career in nanomedicine and blood research. The Kastrup laboratory is part of the Michael Smith Laboratories as well as the Centre for Blood Research in Life Sciences Institute. Both the Kastrup and Jan laboratories are part of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology department.

Qualified applicants will have a PhD in a molecular biology, biochemistry or related field. We also welcome applications from individuals who have a defence date set.

This position is available starting October 1^st, 2020 with an initial appointment for one year, renewable up to three.  Applicants are encouraged to apply for competitive fellowship awards. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications, experience and awards secured.

Email Christian Kastrup with ‘Kastrup and Jan PDF position’ in the subject line and please include a cover letter, detailed curriculum vitae including a list of publications, and contact details for 3 references, to ckastrup@msl.ubc.ca. Applications will remain open 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 will be given priority.

Seeking one Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Associate to work on NEXT GENERATION CELL THERAPY PROCESS ENGINEERING

Research Program Overview

One position is available in the Zandstra Stem Cell Bioengineering laboratory (http://stemcellbioengineering.ca/), in the School of Biomedical Engineering, affiliated with the Michael Smith Laboratories, at the University of British Columbia’s main Vancouver campus. The successful candidate will be expected to investigate the use of stem cells, including pluripotent stem cells (PSC), to develop manufacturing platforms to grow blood stem and progenitor cells towards T-cell progenitors and other differentiated blood cells (e.g. natural killer cells) using bioprocess engineering strategies. Experience that matches our goals and efforts in the automation and feedback controlled sensor space is of particular interest. Our well-funded multidisciplinary program integrates researchers in stem cell biology, biological computation, microfabrication, developmental biology, process engineering and cell therapy, with the goal of developing new cell-based therapeutics to treat disease. The incumbent would be expected to take leadership roles in connection to our fundamental stem cell engineering work on cell and tissue manufacturing strategies, working both on new projects and in collaboration with industry to accelerate our efforts to manufacture therapeutically relevant blood cells from stem cells.

Qualifications

PhD required.  Background in bioengineering and process engineering required, with a focus on bioreactor technology and cell therapies.

Seeking a creative individual who can integrate bioengineering, genomic and developmental biology strategies on projects focusing on blood and/or pluripotent stem cell differentiation to blood lineages using bioreactor systems.  The ability to further integrate with related projects in the lab involving synthetic biology and computational biology, artificial intelligence, and automation technologies is desirable. Ideal candidates must have experience in some or all of the below:

• Bioreactor design and operation – essential
• Cell therapy applications – essential
• Process engineering
• Blood systems and/or developmental biology
• Mammalian cell and molecular biology
• Stem cell biology
• Flow cytometry
• Computational biology
• Automation
• AI

Individuals must also:

• Work well in a goal-oriented team environment
• Have a proven track record of research accomplishments (i.e. publication record)
• Possess excellent communication skills – both verbal and written
• Have the ability to work independently and organize own workload
• Have the ability to design and analyze experiments, keep meticulous records of experiments and data, report on research progress and outcomes openly, and review methodologies in response to feedback &
• Have the ability to update knowledge in their specialized area and implement relevant technologies to advance the project.

Project overview

Bioreactor-led processes for blood cell production at scale

 To transform bench-top stem cell biology research into commercially viable bio-manufacturing practices, we are focusing on the core engineering principles of bioreactor design, feedback control, automation and scale-up, and mathematical modeling.  We use a variety of bioreactor designs e.g. development of suspension bioreactors for PSC or closed-system bioreactors for feedback regulated growth of blood stem cells.  Our foundational work in PSC-derived mesoderm and blood development complements our leadership in establishing new technologies to accelerate the therapeutic use of human umbilical cord blood (UCB) derived blood stem cells. We pioneered strategies for the production of these cells in automated feedback controlled bioreactors, which we moved forward into clinical trials with key collaborators.  Our ability to efficiently generate adult stem cell and PSC-derived blood progenitor cells opens exceptional opportunities to generate functional differentiated cell types. We recently demonstrated that progenitor T-cells can be generated in a defined artificial thymic niche.  This project will work to combine PSC and blood stem cell engineering and bioreactor expansion strategies with our in-house platforms to grow blood cells at scale.

Other considerations

The Zandstra laboratory is situated on UBC Vancouver campus in the Biomedical Research Centre, and is also affiliated with the Michael Smith Laboratories.  Aspects of this project may be performed in part as a collaboration with an industry partner.

This position is available from July 1^st, 2019 and will be based on a one-year renewable contract, extendable depending on funding availability. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.  Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for competitive fellowship awards.

A letter of application, accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae including a list of publications, and contact details for 3 references, should be sent by email to:

Professor Peter Zandstra
zandstra.lab@ubc.ca

Please include “Bioreactor PDF search” in the e-mail subject line.  Applications will remain open until the position is filled.  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  We will contact you only if invited for an interview.

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 will be given priority.