Postdoctoral Research Fellow - DNA/Aptamer Chemist

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

Job summary

The University of British Columbia, Perrin Laboratory, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in DNA aptamer chemistry to advance nucleic acid-based targeting agents for prostate cancer.

The successful candidate will design, synthesize and characterize DNA aptamers, perform solid‑phase synthesis, and collaborate with biochemists, molecular biologists and imaging scientists in a multidisciplinary team on translational cancer research.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry or a closely related field.
• Experience in oligonucleotide/DNA chemistry and solid-phase synthesis.
• Aptamer development or SELEX experience.
• Protein-ligand binding assays and biosensor techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesis of DNA aptamers and modified oligonucleotides.
• Solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis, purification and QC.
• Chemical modification and functionalization of DNA with linkers, fluorophores and chelators.
• Purification and analytical characterization using HPLC, LC-MS and related methods.
• Structure-function studies via nucleotide substitutions and chemical modifications.
• Develop aptamers with improved affinity, selectivity and stability.
• Quantify aptamer-protein interactions using biochemical and biophysical approaches.
• Conjugate aptamers to imaging or therapeutic payloads.
• Collaborate with protein biochemists, molecular biologists and imaging scientists.

Skills

Oligonucleotide chemistry

DNA aptamer design

Solid-phase synthesis

Biochemical assays

Biophysical characterization

Education

PhD in chemistry/chemical biology/biochemistry

Tools

HPLC

LC-MS

SPR

BLI

MST

ITC

Job description

Academic

Job Category

Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Fellow - DNA/Aptamer Chemist

Department

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

Posting End Date

October 23, 2026

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

Job End Date

October 31, 2027

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

University of British Columbia, Perrin Laboratory https://perrin.chem.ubc.ca/

We are seeking a highly motivated DNA/Aptamer Chemist to join a multidisciplinary research team developing nucleic acid-based targeting agents to treat prostate cancer. The successful candidate will focus on the design, synthesis, modification and biophysical characterization of DNA aptamers. This position would be particularly well suited to a chemist or chemical biologist interested in applying nucleic acid chemistry to translational cancer research.

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

Work Location: The primary work location is the UBC Vancouver Campus

Application Process: Seeking full-time PDF for 12 months with the possibility of extension.

Deadline to Apply: Applications will be reviewed so long as the job posting is live.

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

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.

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.

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.

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].