Postdoctoral Researcher

University Health Network; Toronto; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HOOPP pension plan

Transit access

Flexible work environment

Development opportunities

Corporate discounts

Job summary

University Health Network seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher I to investigate radiation-induced fibrosis using a bioinformatics–laboratory approach. The role combines data analysis with cell and molecular biology experiments under Dr. Fei-Fei Liu in the Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower.

The successful candidate will analyse datasets, test hypotheses, and contribute to manuscripts while collaborating with a dynamic team in a state-of-the-art research setting at UHN.

Qualifications

• PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, radiation biology, or related field; must be completed by start of appointment.
• Experience in bioinformatics including analysis and interpretation of biological datasets; proficiency in R or Python and statistics.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and basic molecular biology techniques.
• Ability to design experiments, critically evaluate results, troubleshoot workflows, and advance a research project independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including scientific writing and dissemination of findings.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct studies on radiation-induced fibrosis mechanisms in collaboration with the PI.
• Analyse gene-expression and other datasets to identify pathways and targets.
• Integrate computational findings with cell-based experiments to validate mechanisms.
• Maintain mammalian cell cultures and perform RT-qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, and microscopy.
• Evaluate anti-fibrotic compounds and optimise assays and protocols.
• Maintain accurate records and reproducible workflows; contribute to manuscripts and grant applications.
• Collaborate with team and external partners; mentor trainees; comply with safety and ethics.

Skills

Bioinformatics

R or Python

Mammalian cell culture

Experimental design

Scientific writing

Education

PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, radiation biology, or related

Tools

RT-qPCR

Western blotting

ELISA

Immunofluorescence

Quantitative microscopy

Job description

Company Description

UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada’s top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

Company Description

UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada’s top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.
UHN’s vision is to build A Healthier World and it’s only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.
www.uhn.ca

Job Description

Union: Non-Union
Number of vacancies: 1
New or Replacement Position: New
Site: Allan Slaight Medical Innovation Labs
Department: Research
Reports to: Principal Investigator
Salary Range: $54,902 - $93, 333 per year
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Shifts: On site, day shifts, Monday to Friday; occasional weekend work may be required
Status: Temporary Full-time (1 year contract, with the possibility of extension)
Closing Date: October 30, 2026

Position Summary

We are seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Researcher I to join Dr. Fei-Fei Liu’s laboratory at the Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower, University Health Network. They will investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of radiation-induced fibrosis and contribute to identifying and evaluating potential therapeutic strategies. This position combines bioinformatics with experimental cell and molecular biology. The successful candidate will analyse biological datasets, develop research hypotheses, and test these hypotheses through laboratory experiments. We are looking for someone who takes initiative, approaches research critically, and works effectively within a collaborative team.

Duties

• Design and conduct studies of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of radiation-induced fibrosis in collaboration with the Principal Investigator.
• Analyse gene-expression and other molecular datasets using bioinformatics and appropriate statistical methods to identify relevant pathways and candidate therapeutic targets.
• Integrate computational findings with cell-based experiments to test mechanisms and validate candidate targets.
• Maintain mammalian cell cultures, including primary cells, and perform cell and molecular biology assays such as RT-qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, and microscopy.
• Evaluate candidate anti-fibrotic compounds and optimise experimental assays and protocols.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and documented analysis workflows, with appropriate quality control to support reproducible research.
• Prepare manuscripts, figures, reports, and presentations, and contribute to grant and fellowship applications.
• Collaborate with laboratory members and external partners, contribute to mentoring trainees, and follow applicable laboratory safety and research ethics requirements.

Qualifications

• PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, radiation biology, or a related discipline, completed by the start of the appointment.
• Experience in bioinformatics, including the analysis and interpretation of biological datasets, with proficiency in R or Python and relevant statistical and data visualisation methods.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, aseptic technique, and cell-based assays.
• Experience with molecular biology and biochemical techniques, such as RNA or DNA extraction, RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and ELISA.
• Ability to design experiments, critically evaluate results, troubleshoot experimental and analytical workflows, and advance a research project independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including scientific writing and presentation of research findings.
• Strong organisational and record-keeping skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively and follow laboratory safety practices.
• Experience with small-animal models, animal handling, and tissue collection.
• Research experience in fibrosis, radiation responses, wound healing, or tissue repair, preferred.
• Experience analysing bulk or single-cell RNA-sequencing data and performing pathway or gene-set enrichment analyses, preferred.
• Experience isolating primary cells from human or mouse tissues, or performing immunofluorescence and quantitative microscopy, preferred.
• Experience with small-animal models, animal handling, and tissue collection, preferred.

Additional Information

Why join UHN?

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

• Competitive offer packages
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly. At University Health Network (UHN), artificial intelligence technologies may be used to assist in the screening, assessment, and selection of candidates for this position.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.