Research Associate

AcademicJob CategoryFaculty Non BargainingJob TitleResearch Associate - Lead Scientist, iPS Cell ManipulationDepartmentZandstra Laboratory | School of Biomedical Engineering | Faculty of Medicine (Peter Zandstra)Posting End DateJune 1, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End DateMay 31, 2025

The expected salary range for this position is $95,000 to $105,000 per year.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

The School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) is a partnership between the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Applied Science, acting as 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. Its vision is to transform health care outcomes through unconstrained exploration of the best possible integrative solutions across engineering, medicine, and biology. Through collaborative, innovative, and interdisciplinary approach and building on UBC academic and research excellence, the School of Biomedical Engineering aspires to be a global leader in biomedical engineering research, education and translation. For more information about the School of Biomedical Engineering, please visit

Position Summary:

A Research Associate - Lead Scientist, iPS Cell Manipulation will be part of a diverse bioengineering team focused on advancing our technical platform. The successful candidate will provide deep technical expertise to drive Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC) differentiation programs. Projects will be part of a larger cohesive plan focused on exemplifying our pioneering platform to bring treatments to patients.

Organizational Status
The Research Associate - Lead Scientist, iPS Cell Manipulation will report directly to Dr. Peter Zandstra and will work closely with other lab team members. They are also expected to work closely with external stakeholders such as senior leaders at the client side. Our research partner, based in Toronto, Canada, is a disruptive start up company that will transform how therapeutics are delivered. Their mission is to leverage proven biology and engineered cell technology to develop safe and efficient off-the-shelf cell therapies capable of delivering targeted, long-lasting treatments adaptable to every patient's needs. They are building a team of energetic and synergistic scientists who are driven to perform impactful science.

Responsibilities:

• Leads at least one project, involving defining and executing experiments in the field of cell and gene therapy with limited supervision and technical input. This includes definition of tasks, experimental planning and execution, data analysis, documentation, reporting results, providing recommendations, and drafting standard operating procedures based on an assigned project.
• Stays up to date in identified technology/project areas, as assigned.
• Provides guidance and project leadership, as assigned, to junior staff in the research program.
• Participates in continuous improvement within the organization through participating in initiatives.
• Provides scientific leadership in the research program based on the area of expertise.
• Drives effective communication within the immediate team, and with the leadership team.
• Demonstrates integrity and a positive attitude in daily performance and establishes credibility to motivate others to do the same.
• Contributes to a cohesive culture as we build an inclusive laboratory driven by impactful science.

Supervision received:

The incumbent will receive supervision directly from Dr. Peter Zandstra.

Supervision given:
The incumbent may be required to supervise junior staff in the research program.

Qualifications:

• PhD in bioengineering, bioprocess, biotechnology, cell biology, or a related field
• 0-3+ years of industry experience; or MSc with 5+ years of industry experience.
• Expertise with iPSCs is required.
• Experience in a biotechnology industry with a particular focus in cell and gene therapy.
• Demonstrate solid scientific approach with deep experience in experimental planning, design of experiments, statistical analyses, interpretation, documentation, and communication.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with computer productivity software (e.g., MS Office, etc.) and a range of technical applications (e.g., JMP, Minitab, FlowJo).
• Ability to read and understand literature and translate it into experimental plans as required.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proactive, independent, detail-oriented, self-starter with excellent analytical skills and able to multitask and succeed in a team environment.
• Flexibility to support research activities outside of normal business hours, as needed.
• Ability to work primarily on-site in a lab-based role, in a fluid working environment, with people and project leadership responsibilities as directed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with the culture and manipulation of human pluripotent cells including cell differentiation and gene editing.
• Experience with culture and manipulation of human primary cells, including cell separation techniques (fluorescence-activated cell sorting or magnetic isolation).
• Experience introducing gene expression cassettes into cells; either by nucleofection, viral transduction or other means.
• Experience in characterization assays for cells and proteins (flow cytometry, cell viability/killing, qPCR, ddPCR, particle measurement, ligand binding, enzyme activity, concentration, etc.).
• Experience with experimental design, automation and media development, especially as related to the development of defined culture conditions for PSC differentiation
• Knowledge of the human immune system

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.

Review of applications will start on June 1st, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled.

We invite applications from qualified candidates who share our commitment to employment equity and inclusive excellence, and we welcome applications from candidates belonging to historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized groups: Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) Peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and trans and non-binary people.

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable work environment for all members of its workforce. An inclusive work environment presumes an environment where differences are appreciated, recognized, and integrated into current structures, planning, and decision-making modes. Within this hiring process we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable process for all candidates (including but not limited to people with disabilities). Confidential accommodations are available on request for applicants. Please contact Michelle Liu via email at If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the recruitment and hiring process or for more information and support, please visit UBC's Centre for Workplace Accessibility website at or contact the Centre at

The UBC Vancouver Campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of thexwm əθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. The City of Vancouver is located on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations territory.

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. 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 give priority. .

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