Research Associate in Single-Molecule Biophysics

European Commission; Canada; On-site; CAD 72,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of British Columbia is seeking a Research Associate specializing in single-molecule biophysics. This role involves leading innovative research in lipid nanoparticle technologies and advancing imaging techniques. The ideal candidate will possess a Ph.D. and extensive expertise in microscopy, contributing to cutting-edge research and collaborations in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in relevant field with 2-3 years postdoctoral experience.
• Expertise in advanced fluorescence microscopy and single-particle imaging.
• Strong background in lipid nanoparticle systems and RNA delivery technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead experimental efforts to characterize LNP structure and delivery performance.
• Optimize advanced fluorescence microscopy platforms.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and mentor trainees.

Skills

Fluorescence microscopy

Single-particle analysis

Image analysis

Statistical data analysis

Mentorship

Education

Ph.D. in Physics, Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, or related field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

The University of British Columbia (UBC)

Organisation/Company The University of British Columbia (UBC) Research Field Physics » Biophysics Researcher Profile Leading Researcher (R4) Established Researcher (R3) Country Canada Application Deadline 10 Aug 2025 - 22:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Sep 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number EU-58726 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Job Category

Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title

Research Associate

Department

Research | Leslie | Michael Smith Laboratories | Faculty of Science (Sabrina Leslie)

Posting End Date

August 10, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Aug 31, 2026

The expected pay range for this position is $72,000-$80,000 per year.

Research Associate in Single-Molecule Biophysics

The Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, invites applications for a Research Associate position specializing in single-molecule biophysics, under the supervision of Dr. Sabrina Leslie. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team advancing the understanding and application of LNP technologies for RNA delivery. The Leslie Lab at UBC (https://leslielab.msl.ubc.ca/ ) is pioneering single-molecule and single-nanoparticle imaging techniques using custom optical microscopy setups, resulting in new insights for drug developers to better design and optimize nanomedicines.

About the position: The Research Associate will lead experimental efforts to quantitatively characterize LNP structure, composition, and RNA delivery performance at the single-particle level. Leveraging advanced imaging workflows, including single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and high-throughput particle assays, the Research Associate will generate high-dimensional datasets necessary to further optimize LNP formulations.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and apply single-particle imaging approaches to characterize the structural and functional properties of LNPs.
• Operate and optimize advanced fluorescence microscopy platforms (e.g., single-molecule fluorescence, confocal, super-resolution).
• Design custom image analysis workflows to extract particle-level metrics such as size, shape, RNA encapsulation, and delivery efficiency.
• Work collaboratively with chemists, biophysicists, and LNP formulation scientists at UBC and with external partners.
• Mentor and supervise trainees (graduate students, undergraduate researchers).
• Disseminate findings through lab meetings, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Assist in writing research grant proposals and progress reports.

Candidate: We are hiring a biophysicist with a background in single-molecule/ single-particle imaging, lipid nanoparticle characterization, and laser optics setup for microscopy systems. Candidates must have:

• Ph.D. in Physics, Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Nanomedicine, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of postdoctoral experience in advanced fluorescence microscopy, single-molecule imaging, or nanoparticle characterization.
• Demonstrated expertise in quantitative fluorescence imaging and single-particle analysis.
• Proficiency in computational tools for image analysis (e.g., MATLAB, Python) and statistical data analysis.
• Strong background in lipid nanoparticle systems and RNA delivery technologies is highly desirable.
• Experience in developing novel imaging assays and analyzing multi-parametric datasets.
• Proven record of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications.
• Excellent interpersonal, mentorship, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a dynamic and multidisciplinary research environment.

Opportunity: This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of nanomedicine and single-particle biophysics in a highly interdisciplinary environment. The successful candidate will have access to state-of-the-art microscopy facilities and a vibrant scientific community within the Michael Smith Laboratories and broader UBC research ecosystem.

The Research Associate will play a key role in developing next-generation imaging technologies for nanoparticle characterization, gaining valuable experience in advanced single-molecule techniques and RNA therapeutics research. This role offers excellent opportunities for scientific leadership, publishing high-impact papers, and contributing to interdisciplinary collaborations with academic and industry partners, setting a strong foundation for future career advancement in academia, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical sectors.

The expected pay range for this position is $72,000-$80,000 per year.

The appointment is full-time at 1.0 FTE and will be for one year commencing September 01, 2025 with a possibility for extension, subject to satisfactory performance and funding.

This posting is for the UBC Vancouver campus in British Columbia, Canada.

Please refer to reference number EU-58726 during correspondence about this position.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

About UBC
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC's entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.

About UBC's Faculty of Science
UBC Science brings together a community of scholars internationally recognized for its commitment to discovery and innovation—in the lab and in the classroom. Our faculty conduct top-tier research in the life, physical, earth and computational sciences, driving insights into sustainability, biodiversity, human health, nanoscience, new materials, probability, artificial intelligence, exoplanets and more. Ranked among the world's top 40 universities, UBC's research prowess in environmental science, math, physics, plant and animal science, computer science, geology, oceanography and biology is consistently rated best in Canada by international and national rankings.

About Vancouver
Vancouver is a dynamic, cosmopolitan and progressive city, consistently ranked as one of the top cities to live in the world. Canada's third largest city has it all: sea, parks, mountains, beaches, and four seasons per year, including beautiful summers and mild, wet winters with snow in the mountains. It's the perfect backdrop to your academic research.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute The University of British Columbia (UBC) Country Canada State/Province British Columbia City Vancouver Postal Code V6T 1Z4 Street 2329 West Mall Geofield