Bioinformatician

OICR; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 57,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) in Toronto is seeking a Bioinformatician to lead the development of chatbot interfaces to biomedical research databases. You will work under the guidance of Drs.

Lincoln Stein and Shraddha Pai to develop AI-based interfaces to projects like the React-to-Me chatbot and Camille cancer trials navigator. This temporary, full-time role is based at the MaRS Centre in Toronto with a hybrid work arrangement and a 1-year contract.

Qualifications

• MSc degree in a data-rich scientific discipline (e.g. biology, physics, chemistry).
• At least two years of practical experience developing biomedical software applications that utilize AI Large Language Models (LLM).
• Proven experience with Open Source development, including the use of GitHub for source code control and collaborative development, coding IDEs, and collaboration platforms such as Slack and Discord.
• Excellent communications skills.

Responsibilities

• Engage with supervisors, laboratory staff and external stakeholders to develop use cases for the chatbot-based software applications.
• Develop requirements analyses for the projects under the guidance of supervisors and senior software development staff members.
• Develop and benchmark application prototypes to evaluate alternative designs.
• Author and execute approved software design, with assistance from coding agents.
• Maintain a detailed electronic laboratory notebook describing decision points, benchmark results and key artifacts.
• Develop end-user and administrative documentation for the chatbot applications in coordination with laboratory outreach staff
• Assist outreach staff in the preparation of outreach activities such as posters, blog posts, press releases, workshops, and conference presentations.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

AI large language models experience

Open Source development

Education

MSc in data-rich science

Tools

GitHub

Integrated development environments

Slack

Discord

Job description

About OICR

OICR is Ontario’s cancer research institute. We bring together people from across the province and around the world to improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer. We take on the biggest challenges in cancer research and deliver real-world solutions to find cancer earlier and treat it more effectively. We are committed to helping people living with cancer, as well as future generations, live longer and healthier lives.

Launched in December 2005, OICR is an independent institute funded by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.

Job Details

Position: Bioinformatician

Location: MaRS Centre, Toronto

Department: Computational Biology (Stein Lab)

Reports To: Head, Adaptive Oncology

Hiring Range: $31.08 to $34.80 per hour, commensurate with level of experience; total compensation includes a defined benefit pension plan (HOOPP)

Hours: 35 hours/week

Job Type: Hybrid

Status: Full-time, Temporary (1-year contract)

Position Summary

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is looking to fill an existing vacancy for a Bioinformatician to lead the development of chatbot interfaces to biomedical research databases. The bioinformatician will work under the guidance of Drs. Lincoln Stein and Shraddha Pai to develop AI-based interfaces to several ongoing projects, including the React-to-Me chatbot interface to the Reactome Knowledgebase (www.reactome.org), and the "Camille" cancer clinical trials navigator (https://chat.gsoc.oicr.on.ca/).

This position is temporary, full-time for one-year.

Position Responsibilities

• Engage with supervisors, laboratory staff and external stakeholders to develop use cases for the chatbot-based software applications.
• Develop requirements analyses for the projects under the guidance of supervisors and senior software development staff members.
• Develop and benchmark application prototypes to evaluate alternative designs.
• Author and execute approved software design, with assistance from coding agents.
• Maintain a detailed electronic laboratory notebook describing decision points, benchmark results and key artifacts.
• Develop end-user and administrative documentation for the chatbot applications in coordination with laboratory outreach staff
• Assist outreach staff in the preparation of outreach activities such as posters, blog posts, press releases, workshops, and conference presentations.

Position Requirements

• MSc degree in a data-rich scientific discipline (e.g. biology, physics, chemistry).
• At least two years of practical experience developing biomedical software applications that utilize AI Large Language Models (LLM).
• Proven experience with Open Source development, including the use of GitHub for source code control and collaborative development, coding IDEs, and collaboration platforms such as Slack and Discord.
• Excellent communications skills.

For more information about OICR, please visit the website at www.oicr.on.ca.

To learn more about working at OICR, visit our career page.

POSTED DATE: September 16, 2026 CLOSING DATE: September 21, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

OICR is committed to fostering a climate of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. This commitment is central to, and mutually supportive of, our research excellence mandate. We welcome and respect the diversity of all members of our community and we support an inclusive culture for all. We welcome all applicants, and encourage applications from racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S persons, and others who may contribute to furthering a diversity of ideas within our community. OICR is committed to fair assessment of a candidate’s abilities, and consideration for diversity of thought, method, and experience. Providing an accessible workplace and recruitment process is important to us, as described in our Accessibility Plan (https://oicr.on.ca/accessibility/). Should you require accommodation during any stage in the recruitment process, please complete the form at the bottom of page https://oicr.on.ca/careers/. Information received related to accommodation will be handled confidentially.

OICR hiring managers may use approved Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with an initial screening or assessment of applications, and selection of applicants in accordance with OICR’s privacy policies. Personal information associated with any job application will not be shared with or retained by any third party for the purpose of training an AI model. Hiring managers shall determine which applications proceed through the recruitment process.

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research thanks all applicants. However, only those under consideration will be contacted.