Postdoctoral Fellow, Infectious Diseases Team

National Research Council of Canada; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 84,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Health and dental coverage

Disability and life insurance

Year-end office closure

Job summary

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Infectious Diseases Team. The successful candidate will lead an independent project focused on developing a VSV-vectored vaccine as a biodefense countermeasure, working within a multidisciplinary team and presenting findings at major conferences.

Requires a PhD in virology or related field with strong experience in virus vector engineering, cell culture, and data publication.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated research excellence in virus vector engineering and molecular biology.
• Experience working with virus as related to human infection and prevention.
• Experience working with different cell culture systems.
• Experience in preparing and presenting research findings in peer-reviewed publications and scientific conferences
• Experience in flow cytometry techniques may be considered an asset

Responsibilities

• Lead an independent project on vaccine development.
• Design, execute, and manage experiments and data collection.
• Analyze results, interpret data, and prepare manuscripts.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
• Present findings at national and international conferences and publish in journals

Skills

Virus vector engineering

Molecular biology

Cell culture

Scientific publications

Flow cytometry

Education

PhD in virology or related field

Job description

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Postdoctoral Fellow, Infectious Diseases Team

Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous Peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

* The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

OrganizationalUnit:Human Health Therapeutics

Classification:RO

Duration: 2 years

Language Requirements:English or French

Work arrangements:

• Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require full-time physical presence at the NRC work location identified.

At the NRC, we recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities and you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. Alternative work arrangements may also be considered to accommodate candidates as required. To learn more about these options, please contact the NRC Hiring team using the contact information below.

The program

Development of a VSV-vectored vaccine for Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus as a biodefense medical countermeasure

The role

The successful Postdoctoral Fellow will lead an independent research project focused on the development of a novel vaccine. This involves designing, executing, and managing experiments, and data collection. The position also involves the analysis and interpretation of research findings, writing scientific manuscripts and present their findings. The Fellow is expected to work in a multidisciplinary team with close collaborations with a team of experts and external partners to advance the project. The position offers opportunities to present research findings at national and international scientific conferences and to publish in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.

Education

Ph.D. degree in virology or related field

• Demonstrated research excellence in virus vector engineering and molecular biology.
• Experience working with virus as related to human infection and prevention.
• Experience working with different cell culture systems.
• Experience in preparing and presenting research findings in peer-reviewed publications and scientific conferences
• Experience in flow cytometry techniques may be considered an asset

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

• Must be able to work with animals.
• Must be able to work in containment level-3 lab conditions handling risk group 2 and/or 3 pathogens.

Who is eligible?

• Fellowships will be for two years contingent on satisfactory progress achieved during the first year.
• Candidates should have obtained a PhD (or equivalent) within the past three years (PhD received on or after July 1, 2024*) or expect to complete their PhD within 6 months of appointment.
• Fellows will work in a lab under the direct supervision of an NRC researcher.

*Exceptions may be considered to recognize personal or family related leave. Please connect with us using the contact information below to discuss in more detail.

Compensation

The intent of this hiring action is to staff the position at the AsRO level, which is an early-career level position with a salary range of $83,985 to $116,641. This wide range accounts for varying degrees of expertise and impact, and growth within the role.

Salary determination will be based on a thorough evaluation of the successful candidate's prior experience. This evaluation will consider specific achievements, skills, and contributions that demonstrate the candidate's impact and expertise. As a guide, the average starting rate for new PhD graduates entering this role is $83,985.

The NRC is committed to supporting career progression within the organization, providing access to the opportunities and resources needed for a pathway to a fulfilling career. NRC employees also enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well‑being throughout your career and beyond.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2026 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

As Canada’s largest research and innovation organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground‑breaking discoveries to a life‑changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

Notes

• In 2026, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.
• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• Fellowships are open to nationals of all countries, although preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Closing Date: 7 January 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time