Research Associate

Date Posted: 01/23/2026
Req ID:46682
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Dentistry
Department: Faculty of Dentistry
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Existing Vacancy: Yes

Description:

About us:

Exciting new advances and global challenges are radically reshaping the field of dentistry. Our Vision at the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto is to not just address and respond to these changes – but to thoughtfully and conscientiously shape the field of the future.

With our robust and comprehensive educational training programs (DDS, MSc, PhD degrees, IDAPP and other specialty programs), our emphasis on community outreach and care, and our internationally known and interdisciplinary research mission, the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto continues to earn its reputation as one of the top dental schools in North America. Throughout more than 145 years of dental education -- the oldest, largest and most comprehensive training program in Canada – we have striven to graduate the highest quality of students while providing the public the highest standards of care.

We are driving by our vision to improve health by advancing dentistry through inspired leadership, innovation, and excellence in education, research and practice.

Your Opportunity:

Professor Christopher McCulloch, in the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto invites applications for a position of Research Associate (Limited Term) in "The interactome, role and functional significance of extracellular vimentin (ECV) in inflammatory connective tissue diseases" project. This position is funded by a grant from Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

The incumbent is an enthusiastic, highly motivated, organized individual with exceptional interpersonal skills who will be highly proficient at conducting a focussed research program in a stimulating academic environment. The candidate will investigate the functional outcome of ECV interactions on the cell surface in inflammatory diseases of periodontal and other connective tissues. The laboratory focuses on the role of extracellular vimentin (ECV) in a complex comprised of specific cell-surface receptors that activate signaling to promote collagen degradation. The goals of the laboratory are to identify key signaling pathways for the ECV-mediated dysregulation of matrix homeostasis, which underlie chronic inflammation and periodontitis. The successful candidate will translate new insights into identifying new drug targets for improved patient outcomes in periodontal health.

Dr. McCulloch's laboratory is described here:

Key Responsibilities:

• Conducts research in soft tissue inflammation under the direction of Dr. Christopher A. McCulloch.
• Carries out independent research projects within the group and uses specialized expertise in the field of extracellular matrix remodelling and soft tissue inflammation to contribute to highly networked team projects and to collaborate with existing team members.
• The Research Associate is responsible for the day-to-day functions within the laboratory to ensure that project milestones are achieved on time and performed with respect to current University standards of training, documentation, and instrumentation.
• Provides direction within the research group on technical matters and remains current on the research of current principles and theories. Uses previous experience to mentor students and other lab staff in research conduct and protocols. Coordinates lab activities and synergizes with other lab managers.
• Provides integration of activities with collaborating biochemistry groups in Canada and abroad.
• Coordinates integration and planning of joint research activities with researchers in other universities (e.g., Penn, Syracuse) and demonstrates an ability to organize trans-border meetings, research visits, and detailed research plans.
• Promotes good communication and teamwork to ensure flexibility in the workplace and cooperation with scientists in the Faculty of Dentistry and other, external researchers.
• Develops and presents material for publication of peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts using clearly written language. Relies on demonstration of graphical communication skills to effectively express complex scientific concepts.
• Communicates research project findings through research seminars and conferences.
• Organizes, coordinates, and moderates webinars and seminars promoting fibrosis research field and outcome.
• Assists with drafting of grant proposals, grant budgets, and submissions
• Provides direction and oversight to research staff and/or trainees on technical matters. Should demonstrate ability to instruct, supervise and manage young research trainees from a broad array of backgrounds and to work with trainees who do not necessarily have the required expertise to perform the expected research
• Supervise students at all stages, graduate and undergraduate students.
• Works with trainees to encourage independent study and assist them with data analysis and research presentations.
• Provides BL2 and laboratory biosafety training, their reports, and documentation.
• Develops guidelines, procedures, and standards (SOP).

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in biochemistry or molecular biology and a minimum of five years of post-doctoral training.
• In-depth knowledge of cytoskeletal and secreted Vimentin biochemistry, structure and functions.
• High-level expertise in molecular biology techniques such as RT-PCR, PCR, cloning and recombinant protein expression in bacterial and eukaryotic systems.
• Detailed knowledge and experience in automated and manual protein purification techniques, and biochemical analysis methods such as SDS-PAGE, western blot, ELISA, SPR and BLI.
• Practical experience with confocal microscopy image acquisition and analysis, and sample preparation using immunofluorescence staining of cultured tissue samples. Experience using image analysis software including ImageJ and Imaris.
• High-level expertise in the design and execution of genome editing experiments in mammalian cells, including knock-in and knock-out, using CRISPR-Cas9.
• Detailed knowledge and experience in proximity proteomic techniques, particularly affinity purification mass spectrometry (AP-MS) using BioID. Quantitative MS/MS data analysis and visualisation using analysis software such as Scaffold, FragPipe and SAINT.
• In-depth knowledge of protein domain structure and function and practical experience in the design, expression and purification of functional protein subdomains. Experience using 3D visualisation tools such as PyMOL, ChimeraX and AlphaFold.
• Detailed knowledge of receptor activation mechanisms and signal transduction pathways, and experience in conducting receptor activation assays. 

This opportunity of Research Associate (Limited Term) is a 3-year term appointment.

Closing Date: 02/02/2026
Employee Group: Research Associate
Personnel Subarea:Research Assoc
Appointment Type: Grant - Term (3 year)
Schedule:
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: 
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching