The Richards’ lab of McGill University is seeking a Bioinformatician Research Associate to assist in the creation and management of a research program to improve clinical care through the use of computational genomics. The job will take place at the Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital, a McGill University teaching hospital. See mcgill.ca/genepi for a description of the exciting work that our lab is undertaking.
The successful candidate will work with Dr. Brent Richards’ research team in the Centre for Epidemiology and Community Studies. In collaboration with fellow staff, graduate students and external collaborators, the candidate will ensure the timely execution of a program of research to better understand how genomic information can improve clinical care.

This is a full time position within the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute reporting to Dr. Sorana Morrissy and Dr Augusto Faria Andrade, at the Cumming School of Medicine. The position is available beginning immediately for an appointment period of 12 months, with the option to extend for multiple years.

The University of Calgary’s Charbonneau Cancer Institute has a thriving immunotherapy research program focused on developing next-generation immunotherapies and delivering them to cancer patients in Alberta and beyond. In bringing together basic, translational and clinical scientists and supporting them to achieve a shared mission, this unique ecosystem for translational research produces knowledge, inventions, collaborations, and commercial opportunities. The bioinformatician role will be positioned within the Discovery and Innovation node of this program to (1) to identify and study novel therapeutic targets for immune therapy in solid tumors, including pediatric brain cancers, and (2) support collaborative research projects. The successful candidate will have responsibility at technical and intellectual levels.

The Bioinformatician will design and implement workflows for multi-omic datasets generated in-house and acquired from public data repositories. They will work closely and collaboratively with staff and trainees within and outside of the immunotherapy program to facilitate informatics needs towards translational medicine goals. Their work will focus on the genomics, machine learning, and translational medicine space. They will analyze data, prepare and deliver reports and presentations, attend and present their findings at local, national and international meetings, and contribute to manuscript and grant preparation. The Bioinformatician will play an integral role throughout the program and will benefit from opportunities for training and growth towards more senior roles. Ultimately, they will contribute to a scientific ecosystem that supports an integrated array of translational research within the Charbonneau Cancer Institute at the Cumming School of Medicine.

Job Reference: Job Reference No. RA_R00006_POG_2025_08_26

Summary

The Research Associate will work within the Clinical Informatics team as part of the Personalized OncoGenomics Program (POG). The goal of this program is to develop cutting-edge approaches to aid in the determination of relevant therapeutic options based on the genomic and transcriptomic information derived from a patient’s tumour. Working under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and the Group Leader, the Research Associate will be responsible for analyzing, interpreting and communicating cancer genomic data into research reports. The analyst will also be involved in collaborative research analysis activities relating to the development, implementation and assessment of bioinformatic tools. The ideal candidate is passionate about genomics, translational research and impacting cancer patient care.

The Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the University of British Columbia seeks applications for a Research Associate in the Wasserman Lab working on the Silent Genomes Project.  The Wasserman laboratory partners with a strong genetics community to develop and apply computational (bioinformatics) methods to improve diagnosis for individuals with rare genetic disorders caused by variations in genome sequences.  The Silent Genomes Project is a national collaboration focused on the establishment of an Indigenous Background Variant Library under Indigenous governance and oversight.

Based on the campus of BC Children’s Hospital, the Wasserman laboratory is the lead laboratory for the technical implementation of the Indigenous Background Variant Library, including the implementation of software pipelines for processing whole genome sequence data generated at an approved genome centre, the implementation of quality control analyses, the construction of the database to host the generated genetic data and the implementation of the interface via which the data can be accessed by approved users.  The work, while computational in focus, requires close interaction with an Indigenous governance committee, collaborators and trainees.  The ideal candidate will apply computational skills to develop computationally efficient and reproducible results for the detection of genetic variants across whole genome sequences from hundreds to thousands of individual samples, establish and document standard operating procedures for such analyses, incorporate new innovative methods for detection of genetic variants (either for new classes of variants or using data from different sequencing techniques (e.g. long-read)), and contribute to the development of scientific manuscripts, reports and funding applications.  Central to the work, is extraordinary attention to the sensitivity of the data being processed, with particular emphasis on the rights of Indigenous peoples and the central importance of adhering to the Indigenous governance procedures within the project. Experience with whole genome sequence processing and analysis, pipeline management software (e.g. Nextflow or SnakeMake) and working with highly sensitive genetic data are strong advantages.

Organizational Status

This is a leadership role, requiring a high degree of independence, initiative and professional judgement.  The successful candidate reports to and receives guidance from Dr. W. Wasserman (Professor, Medical Genetics, Project Leader), with input and advice from Dr. L. Arbour (Medical Geneticist, Co-Project Leader) and Dr. Nadine Caron (Co-Project Leader) as needed.  The successful candidate supervises staff members and possibly University students or volunteers working on Silent Genomes.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Lack of careful attention to protocols and regulatory and ethical guidelines could suspend the Investigator’s laboratory and/or the University as a site for further research and/or funding. Performance must strictly conform to research protocols, Tri-Council policy statement, and standard Canadian guidelines for health research involving Indigenous People.

A high level of cultural competency and sensitivity is necessary in this position, as any insensitive actions could jeopardize our longstanding research relationship with the Indigenous communities we work with.

Errors in the dissemination of DNA sequence data or any breach of confidentiality could jeopardize this research study and Dr. Wasserman’s research program. A confidentiality agreement must be signed, stating that any identifying and/or personal information will be held in the strictest confidence.  Inaccuracies or incompleteness of data collection, or errors in the collection and handling of biological samples could result in erroneous data analysis and study results; therefore, it is imperative that the successful candidate is detail- oriented and very careful with their work.

Supervision Received

The incumbent works with wide latitude and demonstrates a high degree of independence.  They report to and receive guidance from Dr. W. Wasserman (Professor, Medical Genetics, Project Leader).

Supervision Given

The incumbent provides direction and expertise to project team members, including research assistants, overseeing the daily activities of trainees, and directing a scientific computer programmer participating on the Silent Genomes project.

Job Summary

The Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the University of British Columbia seeks applications for a Research Associate in the Wasserman Lab working on the Silent Genomes Project.  The Wasserman laboratory partners with a strong genetics community to develop and apply computational (bioinformatics) methods to improve diagnosis for individuals with rare genetic disorders caused by variations in genome sequences.  The Silent Genomes Project is a national collaboration focused on the establishment of an Indigenous Background Variant Library under Indigenous governance and oversight.

Based on the campus of BC Children’s Hospital, the Wasserman laboratory is the lead laboratory for the technical implementation of the Indigenous Background Variant Library, including the implementation of software pipelines for processing whole genome sequence data generated at an approved genome centre, the implementation of quality control analyses, the construction of the database to host the generated genetic data and the implementation of the interface via which the data can be accessed by approved users.  The work, while computational in focus, requires close interaction with an Indigenous governance committee, collaborators and trainees.  The ideal candidate will apply computational skills to develop computationally efficient and reproducible results for the detection of genetic variants across whole genome sequences from hundreds to thousands of individual samples, establish and document standard operating procedures for such analyses, incorporate new innovative methods for detection of genetic variants (either for new classes of variants or using data from different sequencing techniques (e.g. long-read)), and contribute to the development of scientific manuscripts, reports and funding applications.  Central to the work, is extraordinary attention to the sensitivity of the data being processed, with particular emphasis on the rights of Indigenous peoples and the central importance of adhering to the Indigenous governance procedures within the project. Experience with whole genome sequence processing and analysis, pipeline management software (e.g. Nextflow or SnakeMake) and working with highly sensitive genetic data are strong advantages.

Organizational Status

This is a leadership role, requiring a high degree of independence, initiative and professional judgement.  The successful candidate reports to and receives guidance from Dr. W. Wasserman (Professor, Medical Genetics, Project Leader), with input and advice from Dr. L. Arbour (Medical Geneticist, Co-Project Leader) and Dr. Nadine Caron (Co-Project Leader) as needed.  The successful candidate supervises staff members and possibly University students or volunteers working on Silent Genomes.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Lack of careful attention to protocols and regulatory and ethical guidelines could suspend the Investigator’s laboratory and/or the University as a site for further research and/or funding. Performance must strictly conform to research protocols, Tri-Council policy statement, and standard Canadian guidelines for health research involving Indigenous People.

A high level of cultural competency and sensitivity is necessary in this position, as any insensitive actions could jeopardize our longstanding research relationship with the Indigenous communities we work with.

Errors in the dissemination of DNA sequence data or any breach of confidentiality could jeopardize this research study and Dr. Wasserman’s research program. A confidentiality agreement must be signed, stating that any identifying and/or personal information will be held in the strictest confidence.  Inaccuracies or incompleteness of data collection, or errors in the collection and handling of biological samples could result in erroneous data analysis and study results; therefore, it is imperative that the successful candidate is detail- oriented and very careful with their work.

Supervision Received

The incumbent works with wide latitude and demonstrates a high degree of independence.  They report to and receive guidance from Dr. W. Wasserman (Professor, Medical Genetics, Project Leader).

Supervision Given

The incumbent provides direction and expertise to project team members, including research assistants, overseeing the daily activities of trainees, and directing a scientific computer programmer participating on the Silent Genomes project.