Research Associate 1 or 2, Biology (12 Month Contract)

Xenon Pharmaceuticals; Burnaby; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Retirement plan

Disability insurance

Job summary

Xenon Pharmaceuticals in Vancouver, BC, is seeking a Research Associate 1 or 2, Biology, to join our neuroscience team on a 1-year contract. The role focuses on brain slice electrophysiology to assess novel compounds on neuronal excitability and ion channel function.

The successful candidate will perform patch clamp work in acute rodent brain slices and contribute to ex vivo pharmacology, viral injections in neonatal mice, imaging-based assays, and tissue processing within a collaborative,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's in Neuroscience or Pharmacology with up to two years of relevant experience.
• Prior practical experience with brain slices and electrophysiology is required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and takes initiative.
• Excellent record keeping and attention to detail.
• Prior experience with microscopy is a plus.
• Knowledge in ion channels and pharmacology is a plus.
• Knowledge and practical experience with current/voltage clamp approaches in ion channels pharmacology will be a plus.

Responsibilities

• Independently design and execute electrophysiological recordings from brain slices.
• Aid the ex vivo team in performing viral injections in neonatal mice for expression of exogenous proteins.
• Conduct tissue culture, immunohistochemistry and fluorescence microscopy as required.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support target validation and translational neuroscience studies.
• Keep up to date and detailed records of experiments and data analysis.
• Report writing, documentation and presentations including detailed write-ups of functions and capabilities of newly developed analysis toolboxes.
• Ensure the laboratory environment is safe and well-organized; follow Health & Safety policies.
• Maintain records in an Electronic Lab Notebook system with monthly countersignatures.
• Act in accordance with Company policies and code of conduct.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Brain slices

Electrophysiology

Patch clamp

Record keeping

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s in Neuroscience

Master’s in Pharmacology

Tools

Microscopy

Immunohistochemistry

In silico modeling

Job description

_ Who We Are:_

Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:XENE) is a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to drug discovery, clinical development, and commercialization of life-changing therapeutics for patients in need. We are looking for great people who thrive in a respectful, collaborative, inclusive, and productive culture to join the Xenon team.

_ What We Do:_

We are advancing an exciting product pipeline to address indications with high unmet medical need, including epilepsy, depression and pain. Our Phase 3 azetukalner program represents the most advanced, clinically validated potassium channel modulator in late-stage clinical development for multiple indications. In March 2026, we announced positive topline data from our Phase 3 X-TOLE2 study of azetukalner in focal onset seizures (FOS), and we submitted a New Drug Application to the Food and Drug Administration in the third quarter of 2026. Our Phase 3 epilepsy program also includes a second FOS study, X-TOLE3, which would support regulatory submissions outside the U.S., and the X-ACKT study in primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, which would support regulatory submissions for an additional epilepsy indication. We also have multiple Phase 3 azetukalner clinical trials underway in major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar depression (BPD), based on topline data from our Phase 2 X-NOVA clinical trial. In addition, we are proud of our strong heritage in human genetics, deep understanding of ion channel biology, and expertise in novel chemistries to enable potent, selective ion channel targeting. We continue to advance an early-stage pipeline of novel therapeutic candidates, including Phase 1 studies for XEN1701 and XEN1720 (targeting Nav1.7) and XEN1120 (targeting Kv7), which are being developed for pain. Backed by a strong balance sheet to support our growth plans, we continue to build a fully integrated, premier neuroscience company with strong discovery, clinical development, corporate, and commercial operations.

We are seeking Research Associate 1 or 2, Biology with experience in brain slice electrophysiology to join our team for a 1-year contract. The candidate must be interested in neuroscience and/or pharmacology with a knowledge of electrophysiology to work with cutting edge techniques in our industry lab setting. The candidate will perform patch clamp electrophysiology experiments in acute rodent brain slices to characterize the effects of novel compounds on neuronal excitability and ion channel function. The successful candidate will also support a range of neuroscience research activities, including viral injections in neonatal mice, imaging-based assays, tissue processing and cross-functional ex vivo pharmacology efforts. This candidate will join a passionate, diverse, and dynamic team focused on developing treatments for epilepsy and other neurologic conditions.

The Research Associate 1 or 2, Biology will report to the Senior Research Scientist, Biology and be based out of Vancouver, BC, Canada. The level of the position will be commensurate with the candidate’s education and industry experience. On-site positions require up to five on-site days per week.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Independently design and execute electrophysiological recordings from brain slices.
• Aid the ex vivo team in performing viral injections in neonatal mice for expression of various exogenous proteins, such as fluorescent markers or opsins.
• Conduct tissue culture, immunohistochemistry and fluorescence microscopy as required.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support target validation and translational neuroscience studies.
• Keep up to date and detailed records of experiments and data analysis.
• Report writing, documentation and presentations including detailed write‑ups of functions and capabilities of newly developed analysis toolboxes.
• Ensure the laboratory environment safe and well‑organized; follow and keep up to date with Health & Safety; other general lab maintenance duties.
• Keep up to date and detailed records of experiments and data analysis within an Electronic Lab Notebook system. Ensure experiments are counter‑signed on a monthly basis.
• Ensure the laboratory environment is safe and well-organized; follow and keep up to date with Health & Safety policies.
• Act in accordance with Company policies, including, for example, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and ensure policies are understood and followed by direct reports, if any
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum bachelor’s or master’s degree in Neuroscience or Pharmacology or related field with up to two years of relevant experience.
• Prior practical experience with brain slices and electrophysiology is required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and takes initiative.
• Excellent record keeping and attention to detail.
• Prior experience with microscopy, immunohistochemistry is a plus.
• Knowledge in the study of ion channels and pharmacology is a plus.
• Knowledge and practical experience with current/voltage clamp approaches in the study of ion channels and pharmacology will be a plus.
• Knowledge in in silico modeling to complement our drug efforts is a plus.

Our Total Rewards program includes base salary, target bonus, and stock options, as well as a full range of benefits including medical, dental, vision, short-& long-term disability, accidental death & dismemberment, and life insurance programs, Employee Assistance Program, travel insurance, and retirement savings programs with company matching contributions.

Xenon encourages time to rest and re‑charge through vacation, personal days, sick days, and an end‑of‑year company shutdown. Xenon highly values employee development and has an expanding Training, Learning & Development program, including a Tuition Assistance program for advanced degrees.