Research Associate

McGill University; Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

McGill University in Montreal, QC seeks a PhD-level researcher to lead the development of a high-throughput single-EV proteomics platform using interferometric and fluorescence microscopy. You will establish assays, optimize cyclic immunostaining, and build automated imaging/analysis software for a growing user base.

You will design computational pipelines for large imaging datasets, generate single-EV proteomic profiles, and spearhead LNP screening workflows adapted from the EV platform.

Qualifications

• PhD in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, biophysics, molecular biology, biochemistry, or related discipline.
• Experience in assay development, including immobilization assays, surface functionalization, cyclic immunostaining, reagent preparation, and assay quality control.
• Experience developing and troubleshooting microscopy-based biological instrumentation.
• Experience with software development for scientific applications, including automated image processing, analysis of large microscopy datasets, data visualization, and development of user-oriented analysis pipelines or GUIs.
• Familiarity with EV biology, LNP formulation/characterization, immunoassay development, single-particle analysis, and/or high-throughput screening workflows is a plus.
• Ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary research environment and manage multiple platform-development, assay-development, and collaborative projects in parallel.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for complex experimental and technical workflows involving biological samples, microscopy instrumentation, image acquisition, and data analysis.
• Experience preparing and maintaining technical documentation, SOPs, user guides, and quality-control records.
• Ability to train and support internal users and collaborators in specialized research platforms, including assay workflows, instrumentation, and analysis software.
• Strong programming, data-management, and reproducible-analysis practices are considered an asset.
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and communication skills with researchers from engineering, biology, clinical and computational backgrounds.
• Must be authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in Quebec at the campus where the position is based.
• Required English communication skills (verbal and written) at a level #4; knowledge of French is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize a high-throughput EV proteomics platform.
• Validate and implement cyclic immunostaining assays and associated protocols.
• Design, develop, and implement a multi-purpose imaging and analysis software platform.
• Establish computational pipelines for large-scale imaging datasets and single-EV proteomic profiles.
• Lead the design and validation of a high-throughput LNP formulation screening platform.
• Oversee an automated microscopy system to support LNP characterization.
• Develop new experimental methodologies, imaging protocols, and workflows to improve accuracy and throughput.
• Lead analysis and interpretation of imaging and proteomic data; prepare reports and publications.
• Collaborate with the Research Supervisor and multidisciplinary teams to set objectives and milestones.
• Provide supervision and training to research staff and students on procedures, systems, and data analysis.
• Contribute to grant applications, progress reports, and scientific documentation.
• Perform administrative and operational activities for research projects; equipment, documentation, scheduling.
• Coordinate platform operations for internal and external users; onboarding and training.
• Co-manage EV and LNP platforms with engineers and clinicians; advance interdisciplinary research.
• Maintain technical documentation and SOPs to support QA and regulatory compliance.
• Contribute to manuscripts, conference talks, and technical reports by analyzing results.

Skills

Programming

Data management

Reproducible analysis

Troubleshooting

Training

Communication

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD in biomedical engineering or related field

Tools

Automated image processing

Job description

Responsibilities

Develop, oversee, and optimize a high‑throughput, highly multiplexed single‑extracellular vesicle (EV) proteomics platform based on interferometric and fluorescence microscopy.

Establish and validate assay protocols for cyclic immunostaining of immobilized EVs, including reagent preparation, surface functionalization, quality control procedures, and experimental optimization.

Design, develop, and implement a multi‑purpose imaging and analysis software platform supporting automated microscopy workflows and a growing user base.

Establish computational pipelines for processing large‑scale multiplexed imaging datasets, generating single‑EV proteomic expression profiles, and enabling downstream data analysis through intuitive graphical user interfaces.

Lead the design, development, construction, and validation of a low‑volume, high‑throughput lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation screening platform adapted from the EV analysis workflow.

Oversee the implementation of a fully automated microscopy system to support LNP characterization and screening within the McGill LNP research ecosystem.

Develop and implement new experimental methodologies, imaging protocols, and analytical workflows to improve the accuracy, reproducibility, and throughput of EV and LNP characterization.

Lead the analysis and interpretation of imaging and proteomic datasets, prepare research reports, and contribute to the dissemination of findings through scientific publications, presentations, and technical documentation.

Collaborate with the Research Supervisor and multidisciplinary research teams to establish project objectives, develop research strategies, and ensure the successful achievement of research milestones.

Provide functional supervision and technical guidance to Research Assistants, graduate students, and other research personnel involved in the project, including training on laboratory procedures, microscopy systems, software tools, and data analysis methodologies.

Contribute to the preparation of grant applications, progress reports, and other research‑related documentation to support ongoing and future research initiatives.

Perform administrative and operational activities related to research projects, including equipment management, laboratory organization, protocol documentation, and coordination of research activities.

Lead the operation and coordination of EV and LNP analysis platforms for internal users and external collaborators.

Oversee user onboarding and training, coordinate platform scheduling and access, prepare reagents and consumables, maintain instrumentation, troubleshoot technical issues, and develop, implement, and update standard operating procedures to ensure high‑quality, reproducible platform operations.

Co‑manage EV and LNP research platforms and collaborate with engineers, scientists, clinicians, and multidisciplinary research teams to develop innovative technologies, optimize experimental workflows, and advance interdisciplinary research initiatives.

Prepare and maintain technical documentation, experimental protocols, methodological reports, data summaries, and operational records to support platform development, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and collaborative research activities.

Contribute to and author scientific manuscripts, conference presentations, grant applications, technical reports, and other scholarly outputs by analyzing and interpreting research findings, documenting methodologies, and supporting the dissemination of research results.

Qualifications

PhD in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, biophysics, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related discipline with demonstrated experience in interdisciplinary research.

Experience in assay development, including immobilization assays, surface functionalization, cyclic immunostaining, reagent preparation, and assay quality control.

Experience developing and troubleshooting microscopy‑based biological instrumentation.

Experience with software development for scientific applications, including automated image processing, analysis of large microscopy datasets, data visualization, and development of user‑oriented analysis pipelines or graphical user interfaces.

Familiarity with EV biology, LNP formulation or characterization, immunoassay development, single‑particle analysis, and/or high‑throughput screening workflows is considered an asset.

Ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary research environment and manage multiple platform‑development, assay‑development, and collaborative projects in parallel.

Strong troubleshooting skills for complex experimental and technical workflows involving biological samples, microscopy instrumentation, image acquisition, and data analysis.

Experience preparing and maintaining technical documentation, standard operating procedures, user guides, and quality‑control records.

Ability to train and support internal users and collaborators in the use of specialized research platforms, including assay workflows, instrumentation, and analysis software.

Strong programming, data‑management, and reproducible‑analysis practices are considered an asset.

Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and communication skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively with researchers from engineering, biological, clinical, and computational backgrounds.

Must be authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in Quebec at the campus where the position is based.

Required English communication skills (verbal and written) at a level #4 on a scale of 0‑4. Knowledge of French is a plus.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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].