Research Associate

McGill University; Montreal; On-site; CAD 1,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Research Associate to join their dynamic Antibody Characterization Group. This role offers an exciting opportunity to optimize antibody characterization studies and collaborate with industry partners while promoting open science. As a key member of the team, you will utilize your biochemistry expertise to design experiments and analyze data, contributing to groundbreaking research in neuroscience. If you are passionate about advancing scientific knowledge and thrive in a collaborative environment, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Expertise in biochemistry and cell biology is essential for this role.
• Strong data analysis skills and the ability to design experiments independently.

Responsibilities

• Perform antibody characterization studies and optimize protocols for applications.
• Coordinate operations within the Antibody Characterization Group and lead data analysis.
• Represent the group at scientific meetings and train new hires.

Skills

Biochemical expertise

Cell biological expertise

Data analysis and interpretation

Experiment design

Communication skills in English

Education

PhD in Biochemistry or related field

Master's degree in relevant scientific discipline

Job description

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Position Summary:

The Research Associate will be responsible for the optimal coordination of the antibody characterization studies performed by the Antibody Characterization Group (ACG), implemented in the laboratory of Peter S. McPherson at the Montreal Neurological Institute (The Neuro, McGill), by:

1. optimizing the antibody characterization platform through rigorous benchmarking experiments,
2. performing antibody characterization studies and publishing the corresponding data,
3. optimizing protocols for new antibody-based applications, and
4. interpreting its own data as well as data generated by other members of the ACG.

Together with the Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), the ACG has developed an open science ecosystem in which companies, academics, and granting agencies pool resources and knowledge. The selected candidate will have a unique opportunity to collaborate with industry, work in an academic environment, promote open science, and help make science more reproducible.

Responsibilities:

• As an expert biochemist, perform antibody characterization studies which require biochemical and cell biological expertise. The candidate will independently design experiments based on the particular biology of selected neurological targets. These experiments will advance our knowledge about the best tools to use to generate robust and reproducible research in neuroscience and help quantify the scope of the reproducibility crisis observed in biomedical research.
• Represent the ACG at external scientific meetings and conferences.
• Plan and prioritize ACG’s antibody characterization studies based on target priority and reagent availability.
• Contribute substantially to scaling the antibody characterization platform by optimizing the ACG’s platform through benchmarking experiments.
• Work on various experiments with collaborative teams on the multidisciplinary aspects of the antibody characterization projects.
• Coordinate operations between team members of ACG.
• Analyze, interpret, and present data.
• Lead the preparation of weekly antibody characterization reports and contribute to the publication of these reports. Data are further used for research grant applications.
• Train new hires and supervise graduate students.
• Agree to the open science best practices as defined by The Neuro-SGC.

Qualifications:

This position is covered by the AMURE collective agreement: Collective Agreement.

Knowledge of French and English: McGill University is an English-language university where day-to-day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level 4 on a scale of 0-4.

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based/located.

Hourly Salary: $32.60

Hours per Week: 35 (Full time)

Location: Montreal Neuro.

Supervisor: Professor

Position Start Date: 2025-05-01

Position End Date: 2026-04-30

Deadline to Apply: 2025-04-14

This position is covered by the Association of McGill University Research Employees (AMURE) collective agreement.

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].