Postdoctoral Research Fellow

ubc; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Maxwell Laboratory at BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and UBC invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow with expertise in mammary gland biology, epithelial tissue organization, and immune interactions, or cell division mechanisms related to cancer susceptibility. A strong publication record and ability to work independently are required.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative team focusing on BRCA1 pathways, spindle orientation, and epithelial cell fate decisions

Qualifications

• PhD in Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, Developmental Biology, Biochemistry or related field.
• Strong expertise in epithelial biology or organoid systems, epithelial-immune interactions, or cell division.
• Proven record of first-author publications in high-impact journals.
• Experience with live-cell imaging, mouse models, primary cell culture or organoids, and molecular perturbation (CRISPR, RNAi).

Responsibilities

• Conduct basic/translational research in one or more focus areas; design and execute experiments and analyses.
• Contribute to writing manuscripts and grants; present findings at meetings.
• Mentor junior trainees in the laboratory.
• Collaborate with national and international partners in pediatric and hereditary cancer biology.

Skills

Cell biology

Cancer biology

Organoid systems

Live-cell imaging

First-author publications

Education

PhD in Cell Biology or related field

Tools

Mouse models

CRISPR

RNAi

Organoid culture

Job description

Academic

Job CategoryFaculty Non BargainingJob ProfilePostdoctoral Research FellowJob TitlePostdoctoral Research FellowDepartmentMaxwell Laboratory | Department of Paediatrics | Faculty of MedicineCompensation RangeSee details below.Posting End DateNovember 4, 2026Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.This position is subject to the satisfactory completion of required background checksJob End DateOctober 11, 2027This position is subject to the satisfactory completion of required background checks.

Postdoctoral Fellow Position - Cell Division and Mammary/Epithelial/Immune Cancer BiologyMaxwell Lab | BC Children's Hospital Research Institute | University of British Columbia

Position Summar yThe Maxwell Laboratory invites applications for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow with strong expertise in mammary gland biology, epithelial tissue organization and immune interactions, or mechanisms of cell division and mitosis, with a particular interest in cancer susceptibility and prevention.

The successful candidate will have an excellent publication track record and will join a dynamic research team focused on understanding how errors in cell division and tissue organization contribute to hereditary and childhood cancers, with emphasis on BRCA1-associated pathways, spindle orientation, and epithelial cell fate decisions in mammary and related tissues.

About the Lab

The Maxwell Lab, led by Dr. Chris Maxwell at BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and UBC, investigates how cell division is regulated at the molecular and tissue level, and how its disruption alters epithelial - immune interactions that contribute to hereditary cancers and pediatric malignancies (https://bcchr.ca/maxwell-lab).

• Mechanisms of cell division fidelity, spindle orientation, and cell polarity
• Role of BRCA1 and associated pathways in mammary epithelial biology
• Development of in vivo and ex vivo models of pediatric and hereditary
  cancers
• Translation toward personalized medicine approaches in pediatric and hereditary cancers

The lab has extensive expertise in:

• Human primary epithelial cell systems
• Mouse and genetically engineered models
• High-content and live-cell imaging
• Tumor evolution and therapeutic response modeling

Research Environment

The fellow will be embedded in a highly collaborative environment within BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, UBC Department of Pediatrics, and the Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program. The lab also actively collaborates with national and international partners in the fields of: Pediatric and hereditary cancer biology and modeling; Oriented cell division mechanisms; and Precision oncology initiatives.

Project Focus (Representative Areas) and Responsibilities

Applicants may contribute to one or more of the following:

1. Epithelial cell fate and division orientation
   • Mechanisms controlling symmetric vs asymmetric division
   • Role of spindle orientation in differentiation and tumor initiation
2. Epithelial - immune cell interactions in hereditary cancer syndromes
   • Functional consequences of BRCA1 pathway perturbation
   • Novel strategies for cancer prevention
3. Cell division regulation in epithelial tissue architecture
4. Translational cancer modeling
   • Patient-derived mammary epithelial systems
   • In vivo modeling of cancer predisposition states

The fellow will be responsible for conducting basic/translational research in one or more of the above research focus areas, design and execute research plans and perform data analyses, contribute to writing manuscripts and grants, present research findings in internal and external meetings, and mentor junior trainees in the laboratory.

Required qualifications

1. PhD in Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, Developmental Biology, Biochemistry,or related field. The ideal candidate should have obtained their PhD withinthe last 2 years and possess the ability to work independently anddemonstrate creativity.
2. Strong expertise in at least one of the following:Epithelial biology or organoid systems; Epithelial-Immune cell interactions;Cell division / mitosis / spindle dynamics
3. Proven record of first-author publications in high-impact journals
4. Experience with at least one of the following:Live-cell imaging or advanced microscopy; Mouse models or genetically engineered systems; Primary cell culture or organoid systems; Molecular perturbation (CRISPR, RNAi, etc.)

Preferred qualifications

• Background in epithelia - immune interactions
• Experience in epithelial polarity or tissue architecture
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects independently
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness,knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

What We Offe r

• Opportunity to work on fundamentally important quest