Research Associate

Academic

Job Category

Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title

Research Associate

Department

Cashman Laboratory Division of Neurology | Department of Medicine | Faculty of Medicine (Neil Cashman (Retired - Active))

Posting End Date

December 4, 2024

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

Job End Date

Sept 1, 2025

Compensation Range

$6,666.66 - $8,333.33 CAD Monthly

JOB SUMMARY

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

The UBC Division of Neurology is one of the largest divisions within the Department of Medicine, and spans many activities in clinical, research and educational spheres. The majority of these activities are conducted at the Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital, Gordon & Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre, BC Children Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. It is nationally and internationally recognized for its clinical and research programs in multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders including dementias, motor neuronal disease, Parkinson’s disease and stroke.

The Research Associate reports directly to the PI, Dr. Neil Cashman. The incumbent liaises with staff and trainees at the Cashman lab, located in the UBC Centre for Brain Health, and collaborating labs at UBC and beyond. The Research Associate supports, trains and provides functional direction to undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students as well as other staff working at the lab.

Work Performed
- Oversees progress of complex research sub-projects, actively participating in their execution and ensuring they meet objectives.
- Administers project execution by designing assay development strategies, high-throughput antibody screening and validation methods to identify lead molecules of interest for further drug discovery.
- Designs and executes biologically relevant in-vitro functional assays to enable hit-to-lead identification.
- Develops new analytical techniques and methodologies as well as new specialized immunocytochemistry protocols that will become standard procedures in the lab.
- Initiates lab workflow improvements, and proposes recommendations for increasing efficiency and productivity.
- Prepares and delivers research data presentations to industrial collaborators during regular weekly meetings.
- Works on collaborative studies with external research teams. Writes reports and updates for stakeholders.
- Makes recommendations with respect to hiring as well as giving feedback to staff/students’ performance.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The Research Associate works independently, in consultation with the PI, to perform all work-related functions and receive direction from the PI on subsequent new assignments or changes.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

The Research Associate will be responsible for providing direction and training to trainees and technical staff as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION/WORK EXPERIENCE
- PhD in Neuroscience, Bioengineering, Immunology, or Molecular biology is required.
- Minimum of 5 years of recent, relevant research experience. Demonstrated experience in scientific research and dissemination of results in the form of peer-reviewed research publications and conference dissemination.

SKILLS
- Developed expertise in conducting experiments using mammalian cell culture, iPSC-derived human neuron and microglia culture, immune cell separation, flow cytometry techniques for cell sorting, cell-based assays, confocal and fluorescence microscopy, molecular biology expertise (including cloning, in-vitro mutagenesis, RNA quantification, cell transfection and PCR).
- Proficiency in flow cytometry, immunoprecipitation, fluorescence microscopy, cell culture, as well as proficiency in developing and performing complex experiments supporting the preclinical development of therapeutic antibodies.
- The applicant must be exceptionally detail-orientated and organized, and able to design and carry out complex experiments. The individual must be able to prioritize tasks to ensure that time-sensitive duties are completed in priority order. This person must also be self-directed, able to excel in a team environment, know personal limitations and take initiative to ask for assistance when needed.