Postdoctoral Associate, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Description

Area: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Duration: Two years with potential for extension pending availability of funding

Start Date: As soon as possible

Salary: $60,000 CAD/yr plus Benefits

The Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Job Description:

The laboratory of Dr. Ana Nikolic is looking for an outstanding postdoctoral fellow for a two-year term with possible extension depending on funding availability. The goal of this project is to leverage emerging spatial biology approaches to improve our understanding of brain tumour state evolution, recurrence and treatment resistance. The candidate will have access to banked patient tissues, cryopreserved primary specimens, patient-derived cell cultures and xenograft mouse models from glioblastoma patients. We will apply novel techniques including spatial ATAC-seq and spatial multiomic assays to better understand these spatial niches and how they evolve over time.

Dr. Nikolic is an Assistant Professor in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine departments and a member of the Charbonneau Cancer Institute in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary.

Although funding is available for a two-year period to support this position, the candidate will be encouraged to apply for external, peer-reviewed fellowships. The successful candidate will be enrolled in a comprehensive benefits program designed to promote a productive level of health and well-being in Postdoctoral Scholars through coverage for - health, dental, life insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and income protection for disability.

The responsibilities of this position will include:

• Execute experiments using emerging spatial technologies (including ATAC-seq and spatial multiomics) on primary tissues, cortical slice models and xenograft mouse models of brain tumours
• Assist in development and implementation of novel functional tools for state tracking of dynamics in human glioblastoma models
• Analyze spatial and single-cell ATAC-seq and multiome data
Prepare manuscripts, abstracts and presentations

Qualifications:

• Applicants should have a PhD in molecular biology, epigenetics, neuroscience, or systems biology
• Experience with core molecular and cell biology techniques
• A detailed understanding of human molecular genetics and cancer biology
• A strong understanding of neuroscience is an asset
• An excellent record of peer-reviewed publications, with at least one first author publication
• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills

In addition to the above, the candidate should ideally have:

• Experience with developing and performing experiments with xenograft models
• Prior experience with epigenetics techniques (ATAC-seq, CUT&Run, ChIP-seq)
• Experience with basic bioinformatics techniques (understanding of databases, basic sequence manipulation, basic R language skills)

Application Details:

Applications should be submitted by email to the following contact, with the subject line `Brain tumour spatial biology postdoctoral position¿. Please include a cover letter, your academic CV, and the names and contact information of at least three external references:

Dr. Ana Nikolic
nikolica@ucalgary.ca
Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute
Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Pathology and Lab Medicine
University of Calgary

Application Deadline: December 15, 2024

The terms and conditions of employment are covered under the UCalgary and PDAC Collective Agreement. To find out more about postdoctoral scholar program at the University of Calgary visit our Postdocs website.

To learn more about postdoctoral scholar opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Postdoc Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders' in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from the strongest economy in the nation and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).