Research Associate

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The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Research Associate. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

Reporting to the Principal Investigator.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Lab Management and Supervision
Responsible for maintaining a personal workbench area within the laboratory
Collaborate with the Principal Investigator to design experiments for studying L-asparaginase-induced apoptosis in aLL cells
Lab set up (lab organization and management of equipment)
Budget and Administrative Responsibilities
Responsible for ordering and stock checking: Maintain an inventory of lab supplies and equipment, placing orders as needed to ensure uninterrupted research activities, with ordering done by our lab manager
Research and Development
Design and conduct experiments to investigate the role of PAR2 and OPRM1 pathways in ASNase-induced apoptosis of aLL cells
Conduct literature review, surveys, data analysis and interpretation, laboratory experiments, and other research for use in scholarly publications
Develop and optimize protocols for precise measurement of intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) in aLL cells
Computational biology skills
Data processing: Adobe PhotoShop, Sigma Plot and biological graphic program
Development of animal model systems (Mostly cancer and angiogenesis animal models)
Animal toxicology experiments for industrial chemicals and drugs: LD50, LC50
Knock-down/-out and overexpression vector systems
Design complex plasmids including mammalian or viral vector, PiggyBac-transposon system and execute the cloning, using either PCR, restriction enzymes
Establish and maintain inventory of chemicals and biologicals
Communication and Reporting
Prepare and present research findings at lab meetings, conferences, and in scientific publications
Qualifications / Requirements:
PhD degree in a related scientific subject area, with strong publication record and hands-on experience using Flowjo, Image J, SARS, SPSS, Prism are required
Minimum 4 – 5 years of experience in a molecular biosciences research area, working specifically with aLL cell lines, required
Post-doctoral experience is strongly required
Ability to write and communicate in English, including writing first drafts of scientific manuscripts for publication and a demonstrated successful publication record as first or senior author
Expertise with molecular biology techniques such as qPCR, qRT-PCR, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, nucleic acid extraction, primer design, genotyping, and analysis techniques including analysis of microarray data
Familiarity using mammalian and avian animal model systems for immunohistochemistry (IHC) and with isolating and processing their biological samples (eg. blood, tissues, urine)
Experience in the areas of cell biology and cellular immunology; antibody-based immunoassays: ELISA, western blotting, immunoprecipitation, FACS
Expertise in computational biology, bioinformatic analyses, data processing: Adobe Photoshop, Sigma Plot and biological graphic programs; statistical analysis (EXCEL, GraphPad), required
In depth knowledge of scientific, clinical and technical issues in the area of blood cancers and specifically aLL
Experience with animal models of inflammation-related diseases, including setting up lifecycles of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and isolation and culture of primary cells
Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), Internet skills

WHIMS Certification
Application Deadline: January 5, 2026

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No).
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 2. (Salary range $32.69 – $47.33/hour)

To Apply, please visit the University of Calgary’s career opportunities page;
http://careers.ucalgary.ca/. Job Opening ID #36360

Business address: 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary AB T2N 1N4

Contact information: hrhire@ucalgary.ca

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