Research Associate, Clinical Genomics Informatics Vancouver

ITjobs.ca; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 74,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team at a leading genomics facility where you'll advance clinical bioinformatics capabilities. As a Research Associate, you will develop and optimize workflows for cutting-edge genomic technologies, collaborate with experts, and contribute to impactful cancer research. This role offers a supportive environment with significant career development opportunities and a competitive salary. If you're passionate about genomics and want to make a difference in health and society, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Professional development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a related field with 3 years of relevant experience.
• Proven expertise in Python and R for bioinformatics applications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize clinical bioinformatics workflows.
• Conduct research projects and present findings at conferences.

Skills

Python

R

Statistical Analysis

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Project Management

Education

Ph.D. in a related scientific field

3 years of post-doctoral research experience

Tools

Git

Linux

Nextflow

Singularity

Slurm

Job description

Research Associate, Clinical Genomics Informatics

BC Cancer

Vancouver, BC

Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre (GSC) of the BC Cancer Research Institute is a state-of-the-art, large-scale, high-throughput, clinically accredited genomics and bioinformatics facility located in one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in the world.

As a Research Associate within the Centre for Clinical Genomics Informatics team at the GSC, you will play a pivotal role in advancing clinical bioinformatics capabilities by developing, validating, and optimizing workflows and pipelines to support cutting-edge genomic technologies. The Research Associate will report to the Team leader and is anchored within a team of exceptional computational scientists, programmers, and clinical researchers, who collaborate directly on the development and maintenance of robust, cost-efficient, and competitive clinical genomics pipelines.

This is an opportunity to work with highly motivated colleagues in a science-oriented, creative, and dynamic environment. We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and significant career development opportunities.

This position is initially funded for two years.

About The GSC

Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre (GSC) Today’s Research. Tomorrow’s Medicine.

The GSC is a department of the BC Cancer Research Institute and a high-throughput genome sequencing facility. We are leaders in genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics in pursuit of novel treatment strategies for cancers and other diseases. Among the world’s first genome centres to be established within a cancer clinic, for more than two decades our scientists and innovators have been designing and deploying cutting-edge technologies to benefit health and advance clinical research.

Among the GSC’s most significant accomplishments are the first publication to demonstrate the use of whole-genome sequencing to inform cancer treatment planning, the first published sequence of the SARS coronavirus genome, and major contributions to the first physical map of the human genome as part of the Human Genome Project.

By joining the GSC, you will become part of an exceptional and diverse team of scientists, clinicians, experts, and professionals operating at the leading edge of clinical research. We look for people who share our core values—science, timeliness, respect—to join us on our mission to use genome science for the betterment of health and society.

What You’ll Do

1. Propose experimental hypotheses for research and design experimental questions and protocols in consultation with the Principal Investigator.
2. Apply standard scientific techniques and utilize technical expertise and experience to plan, coordinate, conduct, and report on assigned research projects. Notify Principal Investigator of issues related to laboratory protocols and experimental designs and recommend solutions.
3. Prepare Research Ethics Board applications and amendments as required and ensure compliance with Research Ethics Board guidelines.
4. Develop new laboratory methods and modify existing procedures to facilitate research projects.
5. Collect, record, analyze, validate, interpret, and organize experimental and research data and communicate scientific findings to Principal Investigator. Recommend research direction based on preliminary findings in consultation with the Principal Investigator.
6. Source funding opportunities and provide input into writing research proposals and developing budgets for grant applications. Can apply for fellowship funding.
7. Conduct regular literature reviews relating to research areas. Contribute intellectual and scientific input to manuscripts for publication. Present research findings at national and/or international conferences.
8. Facilitate constructive and collaborative relationships with both the Principal Investigator and internal and external research partners.

Key Accountabilities

1. Developing clinical bioinformatics workflows for new projects that require quick turnarounds and/or reproducible results and, where relevant, containerizing them.
2. Analyzing clinical sequencing data from technology development experiments in the lab, summarizing results, and formally presenting findings in internal meetings and discussions, including at local and national meetings.
3. Supporting technological advances and providing recommendations to wet and dry lab production groups on new technology and workflow optimizations based on comparative analyses, often with custom bioinformatics tools and workflows.
4. Facilitating the transfer of novel analysis pipelines and technologies into production, such as writing clinical validation documents, drafting Standard Operating Procedures, training production staff, and assisting with troubleshooting exercises.
5. Training designated members of the clinical bioinformatics group in new or optimized analysis workflows. Writes or revises protocols accordingly.
6. Identify processes/procedures that can improve and optimize the clinical validation process.
7. Review data to identify opportunities to offer new or improved assays.
8. Identify and pursue opportunities to publish in peer-reviewed journals to contribute to the broader community.
9. Perform other technical functions related to the Bioinformatics groups of the GSC.

Qualifications

• A level of experience, training, and education equivalent to a Ph.D. in a related scientific field.
• Three (3) years of recent, relevant post-doctoral research experience.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training, and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Cancer contexts found in foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

Core Competencies

• Understanding of Indigenous-specific racism and broader systemic racism in colonial health care structures, with initiatives to promote a safe, inclusive environment informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Awareness of social, economic, political, and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism, and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (e.g., the Declaration Act, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

You Have

• Proven expertise with Python and/or other similar high-level languages.
• Demonstrated ability in R or other similar statistical programming languages and in statistical analysis.
• Functional knowledge of distributed version control systems, such as Git.
• Comfortable working in a Linux environment, including experience with shell scripting and common command-line tools.
• Familiarity with pipeline tools (e.g., Nextflow, Singularity) and high-performance computing (Slurm) are highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience with software development lifecycle and applying CI/CD pipelines to streamline the development and deployment of reliable and effective bioinformatics tools and workflows.
• Experience with next-generation/third-generation sequencing technology with an understanding of standards and guidelines for validating clinical bioinformatics analysis pipelines using these technologies.
• Interpersonal skills including the ability to work effectively with others in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet milestones, and organize work efficiently.
• Ability to write technical documents including validations and procedure manuals.
• Excellent communication skills to convey complex scientific ideas effectively.
• Deep understanding of personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, with the ability to articulate and share this journey to motivate and inspire others.
• Knowledge of social, economic, political realities of settler-colonialism, and commitments in foundational documents, and the ability to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments.

What We Bring

We offer a supportive environment with opportunities for growth, professional development, and a comprehensive benefits package. Join BC Cancer and contribute to impactful cancer research and patient care.

Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time (Until February 23, 2026)

Salary: $74,618-$107,264/year. The starting salary will be determined based on education and experience, aligned with the provincial compensation plan. Salary is prorated for part-time roles.

Location: 675 W 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1G1

Applications deadline: Until the position is filled.

Hours of Work: Monday-Friday; 0830-1630

Requisition Number: 179405E

Note: Support for nomination with the BC Provincial Nominee Program is not guaranteed after receiving a full-time job offer with PHSA.

What We Do

BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia. BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). Our values include respect, compassion, innovation, equity, and courage. Learn more at jobs.phsa.ca.

PHSA and BC Cancer are committed to anti-racism and equity in hiring and employment. We aim to create a diverse, inclusive, and culturally safe environment. Applications from all groups, especially those historically excluded, are encouraged.