Job Listings

RNA therapeutics are reshaping modern medicine—from mRNA vaccines to precision gene modulation. At the COBRA Lab, we advance computational methods that connect RNA structure to function and translate those insights into tangible health benefits. Joining our team means collaborating with researchers across disciplines, seeing your algorithms inform real-world therapies, and contributing to an inclusive scientific community committed to open, rigorous inquiry. Appointment Term: One year with possibility of renewal Salary: CAD $70,000 per year, plus full University of Alberta benefits Start date: Flexible (applications reviewed on a rolling basis) Work mode: On site in Edmonton Research Focus You will collaborate on projects that: Characterise RNA structure–function relationships Improve RNA efficiency through informed RNA design Predict the effects of genetic mutations on RNA behaviour All projects share the goal of accelerating RNA-based therapeutic development.

Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) – Muskox and Bison Conservation Genomics Background: The Kyle laboratory, in close collaboration with partner institutions and agencies (e.g., Parks Canada) is working to understand the adaptive resiliency of large northern ungulates in context of rapid environmental change and acute selective pressures from disease.  Current study systems include muskox and American bison, of immense cultural significance and conservation concern. Archived and ongoing collections of specimens will be examined, comparing host genomic variation (specifically, the immunome) and microbiome variation relative to disease status, stress indicators and other phenotypic data (e.g., body condition metrics). We are recruiting several PDFs and graduate students to assist with this research. There will be some flexibility to adapt projects to candidate interests with opportunities for field and lab work, where candidates will be expected to work/liaise/consult with Indigenous rightsholders as well. Location: Successful candidates will join the Kyle lab group at Trent University in Peterborough, ON, and will have access to networking and training opportunities with collaborators at U. Montreal, U. Calgary, Parks Canada, among other partners and stakeholders. Compensation: No less than 60K CAD/year (negotiable based on experience). One year of funding is guaranteed with contract extensions based upon satisfactory progress. To Apply or Request more Information: Please send an email to Christopherkyle@trentu.ca) including: a brief statement outlining research interests, previous experience and training relating to this project, C.V., and contact information for two references. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Start Date: Summer / Fall 2025, negotiable

The Ecosystems and Global Change Group (www.ecosystemchange.com) at Trent University jointly led by Prof Andrew Tanentzap (Canada Research Chair in Climate Change and Northern Ecosystems) and Dr Erik Emilson (Research Scientist, Canadian Forest Service sector of Natural Resources Canada, https://glfc-wet.github.io) is recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow to start immediately.  The initial appointment will last for two years with a possibility for renewal.   The project:  Permafrost thaw risks releasing microbes into the natural environment that have been isolated from modern ecosystems for millennia with unknown consequences for people and wildlife.  We are searching for an experienced researcher to characterise microbial community composition and functioning in thawing North American permafrost, with a particular focus on environmental pathogens and the application of single-cell sequencing approaches.  Our research group also holds large sequencing datasets from freshwaters and soils that are often coupled with untargeted metabolomics data, offering substantial opportunities for focused data mining.

This fellowship (offering $35K-$50K annually) is offered to work on developing computational algorithms in cancer and epigenetics. Potential projects range from data analysis to deep-learning algorithms. Learn more about our research at: https://panchenko-lab.org/ Available PhD programs: Pathology PhD Program Computer Science PhD Program Biochemistry & Molecular Sciences PhD Program

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. Summary Job Reference No. RA_R00006_Clinical_2025_01_10 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.

Project Background. We are seeking a motivated PhD student to join our research team in developing advanced methods for phylogenetic network analysis, with a specific focus on network consensus algorithms. Significant progress has been made in consensus tree methodologies. A consensus tree is a phylogenetic tree that synthesizes multiple phylogenetic trees, each with the same leaf labels but possibly differing topologies. These trees are often generated through bootstrapping or other sampling techniques. Traditional approaches to consensus tree construction focus primarily on topological aspects, often overlooking the importance of branch length, which captures the temporal progression of genetic mutations. However, in the context of consensus networks, very few studies have introduced relevant concepts. Project Objective. Our project addresses this limitation by integrating branch-length data not only into the construction of consensus trees but also into network consensus construction. This more comprehensive approach aims to provide a richer and more accurate representation of evolutionary relationships by combining topological structure, branch frequency, clade frequency, and branch length. The candidate must hold a Master’s degree in Mathematics, Computer Science, or Bioinformatics with a strong overall GPA. Compensation: non-taxable scholarship of +20,000 CAD per year. To apply, please send your CV, list of peer-reviewed articles (optional), and a cover letter to: Prof. Nadia Tahiri

Étudiant de doctorat en Informatique ou en Bioinformatique à l’Université du Québec à Montréal (Montréal, Canada) Contexte du projet La comparaison de séquences génétiques et génomiques est essentielle pour comprendre la diversité du vivant. Les arbres et réseaux phylogénétiques ont grandement contribué à notre compréhension de l’histoire du vivant. Cependant, l’augmentation exponentielle des séquences génétiques disponibles nécessite de nouvelles méthodes pour explorer la diversité des données évolutives. Le projet est mené par une équipe multidisciplinaire de l’Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) (Prof. Vladimir Makarenkov), de l’Université de Sherbrooke (Prof. Guillaume Blanchet et Prof. Nadia Tahiri) et de l’Université de Montréal (Prof. Pierre Legendre). Objectif du projet Le projet utilisera des réseaux de similarité (ou graphe de similarité) où chaque nœud représente une séquence génétique. Les nœuds de ces réseaux sont connectés par des arêtes si leurs séquences montrent une similarité significative. Ce type de structures en réseau doit permettre une analyse plus souple et complète des données génomiques et métagénomiques, surpassant les limitations des méthodes actuelles basées sur les arbres et réseaux phylogénétiques. L’objectif principal de notre projet est de développer des méthodes informatiques et mathématiques pour analyser de grands jeux de données biologiques et bioinformatiques via des réseaux de similarité. Le candidat doit posséder un diplôme de maîtrise en Bioinformatique, en Informatique ou en Mathématiques avec une bonne moyenne générale. Rémunération: bourse non imposable de 29 000 CAD par année.

Research Programmer – CCGI 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. Job Reference No: RP_R00008_CCGI_2024_07_12 Summary 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 in one of the most beautiful, diverse and eclectic cities in the world. As a Research Programmer within the Centre for Clinical Genomics Informatics team at the GSC, you will be responsible for technical support for clinical programs through development, testing and validation of clinical bioinformatics processes. The Research Programmer will report to the Process Development Coordinator and is anchored within a team of exceptional computational scientists and programmers, who collaborate directly on the development and maintenance of robust, cost efficient, and competitive clinical genomics pipelines. By working within the GSCs bioinformatics facility, you will collaborate with clinical and research computational biologists and programmers across bioinformatics groups, clinical lab staff and the quality assurance group to deliver clinical diagnostic genomic testing for patients in BC. 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. So, what are you waiting for? Apply now!  

Project description: When a tumor cell dies, its contents are dispersed into the bloodstream and can serve as a biomarker for cancer. Liquid biopsies thus offer a new alternative for cancer diagnosis by detecting cancer markers in the blood. In this context, our lab is developing cutting-edge molecular and computational methods to improve on the sensitivity and specificity of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Our team has access to the CRCHUM’s institutional biobanks and thus has opportunities to create ctDNA assays for many different cancer types, including ovarian, head & neck, lung, skin and bladder cancer. This research project will enable graduate students to develop an expertise in next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, machine learning, oncology and genomics. Description générale du projet : Lorsqu’une cellule tumorale meurt, son contenu est versé dans la circulation et peut servir en tant que biomarqueur pour le cancer. Les biopsies liquides ouvrent donc une nouvelle ère dans le diagnostic du cancer, en rendant possible la détection de tumeurs à partir d’un simple prélèvement sanguin. Dans ce contexte, notre laboratoire développe des technologies moléculaires et informatiques pour améliorer la sensibilité et la spécificité de la détection de l’ADN tumoral (ctDNA). Via les biobanques institutionnelles du CRCHUM, notre équipe a accès à une large cohorte de patients atteints de divers cancers (ovaire, tête et cou, vessie, poumon, mélanome). Ainsi, ce projet de recherche permettra à l’étudiant.e sélectioné.e de développer une expertise en next generation sequencing, bioinformatique, apprentissage machine, oncologie et en génomique.

Laboratory: Bioinformatics and Proteomics Laboratory (ADLab) – Prof. Arnaud Droit. The laboratory specializes in the development of advanced computational methods and artificial intelligence and statistical approaches for the analysis of massive datasets. ADLab collaborates with academic and industrial partners internationally and has high-performance computing infrastructure. Institution: Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada Job Description: Prof. Arnaud Droit’s laboratory (ADLab) is recruiting a bioinformatics student to work on the analysis of proteomics data generated by latest-generation mass spectrometers. This research will be conducted as part of the fight against antibiotic resistance, which represents a major threat to public health. This issue is a consequence of the overuse of antibiotics, which promotes the emergence of resistant bacteria, making many infections difficult to treat. It is therefore crucial to develop new approaches to detect and counter these resistances. The candidate will contribute to the development of computational tools for the analysis and validation of proteomics data, as well as the application of machine learning methods for identifying diagnostic biomarkers in biological fluids (detection of bacteria, treatment resistance, etc.).