Post-doctoral Fellow

The research laboratory of Dr. Rebecca Auer at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute is currently seeking a postdoctoral fellow with experience in molecular biology to lead the laboratory in the development and translation of a novel cancer immunotherapy, called QBECO, being developed by a company called Qu Biologics. The primary requirements of this role are to conduct preclinical research using QBECO and lead the collection and analysis of correlative samples from a multicenter clinical trial using QBECO in cancer patients undergoing liver surgery for colon cancer.

**Research Program Overview**
Dr. Auer is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Ottawa and the Director of Cancer Research at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI). She is a CIHR-funded surgeon-scientist investigating the underlying mechanisms of immune dysfunction observed in all patients following surgical removal of their cancer. Using a combination of patient-derived blood specimens and murine models, this team has been able to leverage unbiased small molecule functional screens and single cell RNA sequencing to identify novel targets for potential therapeutic intervention. A number of these targets are currently being assessed for clinical translation with strategic academic and industry partnerships. Having undertaken 4 clinical trials based on preclinical findings from the lab, Dr. Auer has a proven ability to translate findings from the bench to the bedside and is committed to improving outcomes for cancer patients. Dr. Auer leads a lab that includes a veterinary technician, a PhD immunologist as a Research Associate, 3 PhD students and 3 MSc students.

The current project is a collaboration with a Canadian biotech company called Qu Biologics. Qu has developed several Site Specific Immunomodulators (SSIs) that are designed to train the innate immune system. Dr. Auer’s lab demonstrated that these SSIs improve innate immune function following surgery and prevent postoperative metastases in preclinical models. The team is now conducting a multicenter clinical trial using the SSI (QBECO) around the time of surgery. This trial includes 115 patients from 5 centers across Ontario.

**Basic Requirements (Education/Experience)**:

- PhD degree, granted no more than 5 years ago prior to the project’s start date
- Experience mentoring students and/or junior research staff
- Strong desire to move therapies from the lab to the patient through translational clinical trials

**Preferred Qualifications**:
Experience and/or willingness to become proficient in the knowledge and techniques currently employed in the lab including:

- murine models of cancer, and blood and tissue samples from cancer patients
- An understanding of cancer immunology
- Multi-colour flow cytometry
- Histology and immunohistochemistry of tissues\
- Immune cell isolation techniques, cell culture methods and functional assays
- Standard molecular biology techniques including the isolation of RNA and DNA for downstream analysis
- Understanding of regulatory aspects clinical trial operations and reporting

**Contract Details**:
There is the possibility of renewal for up to 3 years

**Salary**: Min:$45,000 - Max:$60,000 yearly

**Comments to Applicant**:
Interested applicants should submit a brief description of their previous research experience with a CV and any relevant publications to:
**Contact Info**:
Name: Alice Lau

Title: Postdoctoral Fellow

Program: Cancer Therapeutics

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute is committed to building and sustaining a welcoming and supportive culture that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion for trainees, researchers, and staff. We are devoted to identifying and removing barriers that limit equitable access to opportunities within our organization. The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute strongly supports initiatives that encourage the participation of all groups, in particular the four groups defined in the Employment Equity Act (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities).

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those invited for an interview will be contacted. The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute is an equal-opportunity employer. Upon request, accommodations due to a disability are available throughout the selection process.