DNA Aptamer Chemist - Postdoc in Translational Cancer

University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of British Columbia in Vancouver invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow focused on DNA aptamer chemistry. The role involves designing, synthesizing, and characterizing DNA aptamers and modified oligonucleotides to advance nucleic acid-based cancer targeting.

You will perform solid-phase synthesis, purification, chemical modification, and biophysical studies to evaluate aptamer-protein interactions, and collaborate with chemists, biologists, and imaging scientists.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry or a closely related field.
• Experience in oligonucleotide/DNA chemistry and solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis.
• Experience with nucleic acid modification and conjugation.
• Aptamer development or SELEX expertise.
• Protein-ligand binding assays and bianalytic skills (SPR, BLI, MST, ITC).
• Structure-function analysis of nucleic acids and nucleic acid-protein interactions.

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesis of DNA aptamers and modified oligonucleotides.
• Solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis, purification and quality control.
• Chemical modification and functionalization of DNA, including linkers and fluorophores.
• Purification and analytical characterization using HPLC, LC-MS and related approaches.
• Quantitative characterization of aptamer-protein interactions.
• Conjugation of aptamers to imaging or therapeutic payloads.
• Collaborate with protein biochemists, molecular biologists, structural biologists and imaging scientists.

Skills

Oligonucleotide/DNA chemistry

Aptamer development/SELEX

Solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis

Protein-ligand binding assays

Biophysical/bianalytic techniques

Education

PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Biology or Biochemistry

Tools

HPLC

LC-MS

SPR

BLI

MST

ITC

Job description

The University of British Columbia in Vancouver invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow focused on DNA aptamer chemistry. The role involves designing, synthesizing, and characterizing DNA aptamers and modified oligonucleotides to advance nucleic acid-based cancer targeting.

You will perform solid-phase synthesis, purification, chemical modification, and biophysical studies to evaluate aptamer-protein interactions, and collaborate with chemists, biologists, and imaging scientists.