Post Doctoral Fellow

BioTalent Canada; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) Cancer Research Program is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the laboratory of Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi.

The role focuses on the expression and role of endogenous retroelements in cancer and their modulation of anti-tumor immunity, including novel mRNA vaccine approaches. We employ molecular biology, immunology, and bioinformatics, with rodent models to study inflammation-driven tumorigenesis.

Qualifications

• PhD degree, obtained within the last five (5) years, in molecular biology, immunology, or related field
• Experience in cell culture, basic handling of human blood products and tissues for research
• Experience with basic molecular biology techniques, including next-generation RNA and DNA sequencing and data analysis, gene cloning, gene knock-in and knock-down technology, PCR and quantitative PCR techniques
• Knowledge of human immunological assays including working with human PBMCs
• Experience and/or willingness to work with pre-clinical animal models
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills, along with a high degree of independence and the flexibility to thrive in a novel and rapidly evolving research environment
• Proven track record of publication and written communication skills
• Ability to coordinate and work effectively with a diverse team of clinicians, senior scientists, post-docs, graduate students, and technicians.

Responsibilities

• Focus on expression and role of endogenous retroelements (EREs) in cancer development and immune responses
• Contribute to cancer immunotherapies targeting LINEs and HERVs using mRNA vaccines
• Collaborate with the OHRI Cancer Research Program, BMI at uOttawa, and other team members
• Apply cutting-edge molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, and bioinformatics techniques

Skills

Molecular biology

Immunology

Data analysis

Publication/written communication

Team coordination

Independence

Education

PhD in molecular biology/immunology

Tools

RNA sequencing

DNA sequencing

PCR/qPCR

Gene cloning

Knock-in/knock-down

Cell culture

Bioinformatics

Job description

The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute is the research arm of The Ottawa Hospital – one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals. We are proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa and supported by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. With more than 2,200 scientists, clinician investigators, trainees and staff, and total revenues of more than $120 million, we are one of the foremost Canadian hospital-based research institutes. Our research spans more than a hundred different diseases, conditions, and specialties with an overall focus on translating discoveries and knowledge into better health.

The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) Cancer Research Program is looking for an experienced professional to fill the key role of Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi. Dr. Radvanyi is a Senior Scientist at the OHRI Cancer Program as well as a Professor and Tier I Canada Research Chair in the Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department at the University of Ottawa.

The OHRI Cancer Research Program is a collaborative centre that conducts and enables high-impact translational cancer research. We accelerate the development of discoveries for patients. OHRI strives to turn cancer research insights into precision medicine innovations that are translated into new therapeutics.
The laboratory of Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi at OHRI and BMI at uOttawa is seeking a post-doctoral to join our research efforts on several projects focusing on the expression and role of non-coding regions composed of endogenous retroelements (EREs), including LINEs, SINE/Alu elements, human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), and human satellite DNA in cancer development and their role in modulating anti-tumour immune responses in biliary tract, pancreatic, and breast cancer. The lab is also working on new cancer immunotherapies targeting the tumour-specific expression of LINEs and HERVs in cancer using mRNA vaccines as a form of “cancer interception” to curtail early cancer development as well as developed new tools leveraging ERE re-expression in tumours as an approach to cancer detection and monitoring.

Our work employs a variety of cutting-edge techniques in molecular biology, cell biology human immunology, gene modification/manipulation in cell lines and primary human tissues, and bioinformatics. It also takes uses rodent models of cancer to study the role of EREs in tumour development to invasive cancer focusing on role of inflammation-mediated events related to ERE activation and how these can be modulated to impinge on the tumorigenic process.

Basic Requirements

• PhD degree, obtained within the last five (5) years, in molecular biology, immunology, or related field
• Experience in cell culture, basic handling of human blood products and tissues for research
• Experience with basic molecular biology techniques, including next-generation RNA and DNA sequencing and data analysis, gene cloning, gene knock-in and knock-down technology, PCR and quantitative PCR techniques
• Knowledge of human immunological assays including working with human PBMCs
• Experience and/or willingness to work with pre-clinical animal models
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills, along with a high degree of independence and the flexibility to thrive in a novel and rapidly evolving research environment
• Proven track record of publication and written communication skills
• Ability to coordinate and work effectively with a diverse team of clinicians, senior scientists, post-docs, graduate students, and technicians.

This is a full-time position.
Minimum Annual Stipend: $50,739

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.