Postdoctoral Research Fellow - DNA/Aptamer Chemist

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

Job summary

The University of British Columbia is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Vancouver to lead the design and synthesis of DNA aptamers and modified oligonucleotides. You will perform solid-phase synthesis, purification, and chemical functionalization while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.

The position requires a PhD in chemistry or related field and experience in aptamer development, bianalytics (SPR, LC-MS, HPLC) and nucleic acid chemistry.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry or closely related field.
• Experience in oligonucleotide/DNA chemistry.
• Solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis experience.
• Nucleic acid modification and conjugation.
• Aptamer development or SELEX.
• Protein-ligand binding assays.
• Bioanalytics techniques including SPR, BLI, MST, ITC, HPLC and LC-MS.
• Structure-function analysis of nucleic acids.
• 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, fluorophores, chelators and other groups.
• Purification and analytical characterization using HPLC, LC-MS and related approaches.
• Systematic structure-function studies using nucleotide substitutions, truncations and chemical modifications.
• Development of aptamers with improved affinity, selectivity and stability.
• Quantitative characterization of aptamer-protein interactions using biochemical and biophysical approaches.
• Conjugation of aptamers to imaging or therapeutic payloads.
• Collaboration with protein biochemists, molecular biologists, structural biologists and imaging scientists.

Skills

Oligonucleotide/DNA chemistry

Solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis

Nucleic acid modification and conjugat

Aptamer development or SELEX

Protein-ligand binding assays

Nucleic acid-protein interactions

Structure-function analysis of nucleic

Bianalytic techniques

Education

PhD in chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry or closely related field

Tools

SPR

BLI

MST

ITC

HPLC

LC-MS

Job description

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Fellow - DNA/Aptamer Chemist

Employment Category

Academic

Job Category

Faculty Non Bargaining

Department

Research | Perrin Lab | Department of Chemistry | Faculty of Science (David Perrin)

Posting End Date

October 23, 2026

Note

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

October 31, 2027

Salary

The expected pay range for this position is $55,000 - $65,000/annually.

Location

• The primary work location is the UBC Vancouver Campus

Employment Type

• Seeking full-time PDF for 12 months with possibility of extension.

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 incorporation of linkers, fluorophores, chelators and other functional groups.
• Purification and analytical characterization using HPLC, LC-MS and related approaches.
• Systematic structure-function studies using nucleotide substitutions, truncations and chemical modifications.
• Development of aptamers with improved affinity, selectivity and stability.
• Quantitative characterization of aptamer-protein interactions using biochemical and biophysical approaches.
• Conjugation of aptamers to imaging or therapeutic payloads.
• Collaboration with protein biochemists, molecular biologists, structural biologists and imaging scientists.

Qualifications

Candidates should have a PhD in chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry or a closely related field. Candidates must have demonstrated experience i.e. published work in several of the following areas:

• Oligonucleotide/DNA chemistry
• Solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis
• Nucleic acid modification and conjugation
• Aptamer development or SELEX
• Protein-ligand binding assays
• Bioanalytic skill including techniques such as SPR, BLI, MST, ITC, HPLC and LC-MS
• Structure-function analysis of nucleic acids
• Nucleic acid-protein interactions

Optional Additional Experience

Experience with radiochemistry, chelator chemistry, structural biology or therapeutic oligonucleotide development would be an asset but is not required.

Job Overview

We are looking for someone with strong experimental skills who can independently design and troubleshoot experiments, develop new chemical and biochemical approaches, and work effectively within a collaborative multidisciplinary research environment.

Application Deadline

Applications will be reviewed so long as the job posting is live.

Equity and Diversity Statement

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. Inclusion is built by individual and institutional responsibility through continuous engagement with diversity to inspire people, ideas, and actions for a better world. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuk, or Indigenous person. UBC acknowledges that certain circumstances may cause career interruptions that legitimately affect an applicant’s record of research or educational leadership achievement. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like consideration given to the impact of any circumstances, such as those due to health or family reasons, in order to allow for a fair assessment of their research productivity.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority, and members of historically marginalized groups will be given special consideration.

If you have any needs or questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the job application, recruitment and hiring process or for more information and support, please visit UBC’s Center For Workplace Accessibility website at https://hr.ubc.ca/health-and-wellbeing/working-injury-illness-ordisability/centre-workplace-accessibility or contact the Centre at [e-mail].